Gazette Monthly | December 2018
President's Message

From your extended family at the Flying U, we wish you all the very best Seasons Greetings. Last summers fires presented a trying year at the ranch but the future is bright and we are looking forward to a wonderful 2018. The ranch is nearing record pre bookings for next summer and our dedicated core staff is returning for the new season. We have developed lots of new exciting programs like our "Wild West Adventure Camp" and the "Wrangler for a Week Program". We are also excited to welcome back the bluegrass festival, the veterinarian work shop and a number of other great groups.  

The forecasters say this will be a cold snowy winter here in the west. We are ready for it! The horses are settled in to the home pasture and we have more then 200 tons of hay in stock till the Spring. We developed a winter watering program for the herd last year and that will continue this winter. Helping out at the ranch we have Victoria on Administration, Steve is living at the ranch and is busy feeding and watering the horses, Nala helps out with the tractor, and Angela and Brandon are on call 24/7.

Hope everybody has a happy and healthy holiday!

John Lovelace 
President and CEO
Flying U Inc


horses by tent
Meet The Herd
- The Flying U Horses

Going into the winter we have a healthy herd of 106 horses and many have been at the ranch for more then a decade. Each year we bring in new horses to go into training and often it will take two or three years of training and acclimatizing before horses are assigned. As horses go into old age, we try to retire them to the pasture.  Life for a horse at the Flying U is a good life. The horses are free to socialize with their friends and they bond each year with their favourite riders. We are pleased to introduce to you 6 of our wonderful horses.
Arthur

Arthur is new to the ranch this year. He came to the ranch with his good buddy, Racer, from a lovely couple over on Watch Lake. This 15 year standardbred gelding is best suited to an experienced rider who can guide him along the trails. 
Cameo

Cameo has spent most of her life at the ranch. This mare is reserved for our experienced riders that come to the ranch. While she is great on the trails, she can be a but too much horse for a beginner. 
Coco

Coco has been at the Flying U for some time now. This peppy mare is reserved for our intermediate level riders. Coco floats between buddy groups but can usually be found near Squirrel. 


Capri

Capri is one of our older horses here at the ranch. You will never see this mare without her pal Simba by her side. Capri helps teach the school kids learn to ride at the beginning of the season and then takes on the confident beginners for the rest of the season. 
Clementine 

This draft x mare is as steady as they come! Clementine takes care of new and nervous riders. She can always be found out in the field with her buddy, Mongo. 
Clyde

Clyde is another long time herd member. This steady guy goes out on his own as well as in a group. He is great for beginner riders. He can often be found hanging out with the team horses, Blackie, Katie and Lisa. Don't tell him that he is not one of the big guys!
Weddings at The U!

When we decided to offer The Flying U up as a wedding venue, we had no idea the remarkable response we would get. With 2018 nearly booked, we're already taking reservations into 2019.  With very limited availability, don't hesitate in considering The Flying U for your big day!
 
  • We still have 2 spots left for Spring (April & May) 2018, and
     
  • 1 spot for Fall (September - November) 2018. 


SCHOOL PROGRAM

Last year we were ecstatic to welcome Cedars Christian School as one of the schools to participate in our equine assisted learning School Program for a total of four schools and over 180 kids. 

The Flying U School Program has opened it's gates to over 6000 students in the past 30 years, offering a unique opportunity for children and youth to experience this provinces' rich history through Canada's oldest guest ranch. 

This year we've reworked the traditional program to add shorter options and day trips for local schools. We want every student and youth group in the province and beyond to be able to experience the tradition and excitement offered at the ranch.
Meet Chef Kim!

We are happy to say that Kim will be returning for her 4th year to the Flying U to help bring you delicious meals and fill your bellies before and after your long days of riding.  She is "super excited to get back in that kitchen and do my thing"!    Kim  says her time at The U has not only been the best job she's had but some of the most positive experiences in general: the staff, the weddings, the kids that come every year, guests, the square dancing, riding: it's a big family that all work together. She is also looking forward to working with all the new staff and getting to know one another, seeing faces old and new in what's shaping up to be the best season yet!


Give A Horse This Christmas!!

Give the gift of the Flying U this Christmas. Just reserve your dates with Victoria and we will send you a personalized greeting with the reservation so that you can copy and put it under the tree. And don't worry, we can always change the dates later if you need to. For the Christmas package, we will throw in a complimentary massage plus there will be a bottle of wine in your cabin when you arrive. It is the perfect surprise Christmas gift.

RESERVE YOUR STAY TODAY!
THE FLYING U RANCH | W WW.FLYINGU.COM | RESERVATIONS@FLYINGU.COM | 250-456-7717