Summer Camp Schedule for 2009

We are pleased to announce our Summer 2009 camp schedule as listed below.

These camps are designed for riders of both Western and English disciplines looking to further develop their riding skills and horse knowledge. Students will get hands-on training and experience in equine first aid, vital signs of the horse, speed patterns, show preparation, as well as participating in horseback riding games. Each day will host a specific informational theme, as well as structured riding lessons.

This year, our first camp beginning the 8th of June will focus on the traditional 4-H speed events (Barrels, Poles, Straights and Stakes) - any age can attend this special week, but all riders must be certified by our trainer, Jim Howell, on their riding ability prior to being admitted to this focused summer camp.

Intermediate (8 years old and up)

Times: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

June 8 - 12 (Speed Camp - see note above)
July 6 - 10
Aug 10 - 14

Beginner (5 - 8 years old)

Times: 10:00 - 2:00 PM

July 20 - 24

Students for all camps will need to bring a sack lunch, heeled riding shoes/boots (no tennis shoes) and jeans or riding pants. Sunscreen and plenty of water is recommended because of our well known hot summers. We have held the cost at $250 and all camps will be held at Hickman Ranch 2403 Miller Road, Rosharon, Tx 77583 which is conveniently located 10 minutes from both Sienna Plantation and Pearland.

Please contact Kay Hickman (832-689-2285) for further information concerning these Summer Camps or to reserve a place in one of the camps. Also make sure you check out our calendar of events for information on other activities planned at the Ranch.

2009 G0-Texan Team Penning Results

This year's go Texan team penning was a major success for the Fort Bend / Stafford teams being well represented with riders from Hickman Ranch. The most impressive was the youth team consisting of Kyle Robinson, Miles Hickman, and Leon Washington. They took First place overall for the Youth Division by penning all three of their calves in a breathtaking 38 seconds. The Adult team composed of Jay Hickman, Jim Howell and Tod Boyle, also penned all three of theirs placing 3rd in the Metro division and 7th over all. By both teams being in the top ten of the Metro division, they won a spot in the short go round to compete for the saddles. Unfortunately the cattle won those rounds for both teams. We are particularly proud of the fine display of horsemanship and team work demonstrated by the youth team.

Halloween 2008

After the clean up from Ike was completed, and the weather started to take a turn to fall, the time for Hickman Ranch's third annual Halloween costume party was upon us. The weather cooperated and it was a beautiful fall evening and the costumes were nothing short of both fantastic as well as ingenious to say the least. To see all the creativity for this year pleas view the web album . Or if you prefer just click on the slide show below to see in a larger format.

Hurricane Ike

As all who live in this area know, on the evening of September 12th - 13, we were hit by hurricane Ike. For the week prior, Ike's landfall was predicted to be as far ranging as the Louisiana - Texas border to Brownsville, TX. so there was no way to predict where a safe area to evacuate the horses would be. We decided then to batten down the hatches, double the mooring lines (sorry, retired Coast Guard Officer coming through) and weather in place. After lashing everything down and putting the horses to pasture, the family and I went to my brother-in-laws office building in Houston to weather the storm. After the storm passed and the water in town receded enough for us to leave, we returned to asses the damage and were extremely pleased to see first off that no animals suffered any harm and for the intensity of the storm, the damage was mercifully light. Mostly downed trees, some roof damage and some fence work. We want to thank all of our dear friends and boarders that came by after the storm to help remove the trees, clean up the debris and drop off the food that kept us going. Below is a slide show taken the day after the storm. Once again for all those that came by and helped get the ranch back in operational order, a deep felt and from the heart 'Thanks partner!"

Hickman Ranch has a World Champion

Through the past year, we have been competing with Junior (left in the photo) and Sandy in Palomino Association horse shows. Both horses qualified to attend the Palomino World competition held in Tulsa, OK this past July. Renee showed both horses for the Ranch with Junior facing extremely stiff competition in his events and while never placing "In the money", gained valuable experience and was a finalist in Western Riding. Sandy, who was really taken along to be a companion to Junior while on the road has a talent for being always the fastest to get to the gate when we are bringing the horses in from the pasture for feeding-time. This inherent athleticism held in him in good stead for the speed events where he won the Flag Race and is now the 2008 Palomino World champion for that event. And yes...back at the Ranch, he still is first to come in for the feed bag.

Kay's little Fishing Trip

OK, I know I am way behind in updating this Blog, but with World Palomino shows, State 4-H, my work and a little windstorm called "Ike" - things have been busy. Anyway, back in May, Kay made a trip with several of her girlfriends to Costa Rica for a much needed vacation, during the trip, they went deep-sea fishing and Kay came back with this 'Fish-story" of the Sailfish she had caught, but no pictures on the camera to prove it. Well at long last we have photographic proof that the story is indeed not a fish-tale and from the size of the fish, Kay did not follow the usual fisherman's habit of enhancing the tale with each telling...

Lorenzo, The flying Frenchman

Lorenzo : the Flying French Man...
by alatebo

Here is an amazing video that hopefully you will enjoy. Of course Hickman Ranch does not endorse riding bare-back while standing and probably would look dimly upon anyone trying to emulate what you see in the video, but it is amazing at the same - enjoy