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

Summer 2008 Camp Schedule

We are pleased to announce our Summer 2008 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.


Intermediate (8 years old and up)
Times: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

June 9-13
July 7-11
July 28 - Aug 1
Aug 4-8

Beginner (5 - 8 years old)
Times: 10:00 - 1 :30 PM

June 23 -27
July 14-18

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. Cost is $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) or Trisha Sterbenz (713-294-3720) for further information concerning these Summer Camps. Also make sure you check out our calendar of events for information on other activities planned at the Ranch.

Last Comic Standing

Guess our surprise when Kay received a call from the producers of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" series to see if we could provide the host, Bill Bellamy with a little flavor of the Texas western lifestyle. After the first few minutes of skepticism, it sounded like the real deal so off for our 15 minutes of fame (ok probably more like 2-3 minutes, but we take what we can get.) NBC wanted to get some film of Bill learning to be a cowboy to highlight Texas's Western heritage. So after getting Mr. Bellamy into the proper attire, we got him on horseback, introduced him to roping and then the proper mucking of a stall. His interview with a cow was hilarious.... We look forward to watching what parts will make it into the show which should air on NBC in April. Though time was short because of production and filming schedules we thoroughly enjoyed working with Bill and his filming crew - y' all come back when ya got time to sit for a while -

Another French Invasion

It was once again our pleasure to host the French Association of Houston's "Day in the country" outing on the 3rd of February, 2008. This year's event was bigger and better than ever with over 100 of the association's members attending the event. As with the past 2 years the horseback and trail riding was the focus, in addition we had several aspiring young ropers practicing on the 'dummies'... then on each other, a fantastic Texas-Style lunch consisting of superbly smoked brisket with all the trimmings and for those who wished to see the ranch other than on horseback - a hayride. The weather once again cooperated, while not the sunny skies we were hoping for, the predicted rain did hold off till after the event. As always, we had a grand time and enjoyed sharing our little slice of the Texas country side with them. Of course we could not have hosted so many with out the help of our friends - Thanks go out to the Sara Robinson and Sara Bowse and the Free Spirit 4H club for providing the lunch services, the Hickman Ranch Speed girls for being the leaders for the "lead-line" rides and providing their horsemanship demonstrations, Scott Fisher and his roping students for the roping demonstration, and Lupe Ortega for providing the much enjoyed hayrides. A special thanks to Patricia Sterbenz for her keen organizational skills and keeping the riders rotating through so all could enjoy. We thoroughly enjoyed the French Association's visit and look forward to our continued friendship in the future.

If you would like to see more pictures of the event, please click on the picture below to be taken to the web album.

French Association of Houston's 2008 "Day in the Country

Alaskan Clydesdale

Only in Alaska ...... This fellow raised an abandoned moose calf with his horses and has trained it for lumber removal and other hauling tasks. Given the 2,000 pounds of robust muscle, and the splayed, grippe hooves, he claims it is the best work animal he has. He says the secret to keeping the moose around is a sweet salt lick, although during the rut he disappears for a couple of weeks, but always comes home... impressive!

Now my only question... can it chase cows or run barrels. This picture was forwarded to us from one of our boarders - Angela Guy who is quite an accomplished photographer ... though this image isn't one of her own. Her gallery can be viewed on her web-site www.horsephotoguy.com

Inspirational Ride

The following is linked to download one of the most awe inspiring rides I've have seen. Stacey Westfall's Championship Freestyle Reining - Bareback, "Bridleless Reining." We, at Hickman Ranch however still recommend saddles and bridles. And please do not attempt to stand on your horse - Stacey Westfall is a professional trainer and is well aware of the risks. Her website is www.westfallhorsemanship.com

Southern Texas Playday Association Results:

During the Summer and Fall of 2007, the STPA held a Saddle Series and under the tutelage of Jim Howell seven riders from Hickman Ranch participated. The first two events fell to the rainy weather we are so use to here in Southeastern Texas with the remaining 5 events stretching from August till the last event November 17th. It was an exciting series with all the girls showing remarkable improvements in their skill through faster and cleaner runs. The competition was fierce and first place wasn't decided till the very last run. When the dust had settled, Kyle Robinson finished in second place, Michelle Goss took fourth, Kate Meyer was 5th and Sara Hunter secured 6th place. Lynn Robinson and Emily Opperman, while not finishing in the money as they say, did show great improvement and what is most important, had fun. In the younger age group Abby Cousins participated in her first show ever and was by far the best color coordinated one at the show. Pictured at right Kate Meyer, Kyle Robinson, Olivia Robinson, Melissa Warwick, Sara Hunter and Michelle Goss. Congratulations to all.

Halloween 2007

Disregard the posting date, just want to share the photos I had from the last Halloween party held at the ranch. For those who would like to view larger pictures, please click the picture below to view the album. Use the back arrow key in your browser to return here

Halloween 2007

If anyone who attended the event has pictures they would like to include, please send them to jrhick@gmail.com