Happy spring to all! We have already enjoyed some trail rides and gotten in some gorgeous outdoor riding time. While cold days are bound to happen, I hope you are all getting outside and enjoying the spring season.

Horse Camp 2026 begins on June 9, and we're busy preparing for an exciting summer season for our entire community–boarders, campers, visiting riders, and long-time locals.

Thank you all for the enthusiasm you bring to our equestrian community here in Cordillera.

Happy riding,

Annie and the CEC Staff

Barn Updates:

Fly Season Systems & Supplements

This year, we have some systems in place to address with what could potentially be a bad fly season, including fly sprayers for the barn and fly predators everywhere.

For horses that have fly irritation, I would recommend a feed-through fly product. Most contain garlic and might not be appropriate for every horse or every situation, so please reach out to your vet to find what the best product is for you.  

With our dry climate I would recommend all horses receive electrolytes for the warm weather. They help promote drinking and replace sodium lost in sweat. Some minor colics can be prevented with the addition of electrolytes because the horses are more hydrated, so please consult with your vet if needed, and order them for your horse.

Trainer Focus: Kirsten Nelson

With a background that spans the hunter/jumper and dressage worlds, Kirsten Nelson welcomes riders of all ages and abilities. She is particularly passionate about building a solid foundation for beginner and intermediate riders that focuses on the classical principles of dressage and apply across all disciplines.

Kirsten brings diverse knowledge to create a supportive, educational environment so students have an enjoyable experience whether they are entering equestrian sport for the first time or looking to improve upon their current skill level.

We love dogs here at the CEC, but dogs must be leashed at all times when in or around our facility. This regulation is for the safety of riders and horses—plus our insurance requires it!

Dogs may stay in the owner’s car, and they are allowed to relieve themselves when on leash in the grassy area in front of the parking lot. Dogs may not be near arenas or paddocks even when leashed.

Thank you for your efforts to keep our facility safe by keeping dogs leashed at all times.

Staff Spotlight: Meet Barn Hand

Ezequiel "Eze" Flores Escobar

Born in Zacatecas, Mexico, Ezequiel Flores Escobar began working at the Cordillera Equestrian Center in 2023. Some say that Ezequiel’s nickname, “Eze,” matches his easy-going, mild-mannered personality.

Eze is respected by his co-workers for his strong, independent work ethic, and he has earned the praise of boarders who describe him as “kind, efficient, and always willing to help.”

Eze grew up working on his family’s farm near Zacatecas, and has also worked in restaurants as a cook. Eze went to school with Sal Garcia, who works on CMD’s Comm Ops team and lived near Eze’s family. Eze had cows, not horses, on his farm, but he loves being around horses and enjoys working with the CEC team. 



When he’s not at work, Eze likes to rest or go out for relaxing walks on the trails near his home in Wolcott, where he lives with his wife. 

CINNAMON is now the school horse we’ve had the longest! She is a 16-year-old Appy with a big heart and a sense of humor for giving lessons.

ANABELLE was a dude horse next door at Bearcat Stables. She is about 20 years old and maybe a Morgan. She has flourished with the easier job of a lesson horse and may be our kindest horse, as voted by the kids.

BLUEY is our newest arrival, a 10-year-old Welsh cross. He is a little spunkier but is also kind and honestly loves to please. Being so little, he will give many kids the most adorable ride of their life! He has already stollen the heart of everyone who meets him with his extreme cuteness.

CRUISER (at right with Kaia) is now living in Loveland. At the age of 23, he is ready for the life of retirement. He is with friends of Annie’s from college, where he will be basking in the sun, and occasionally teaching two adorable little boys about horsemanship and riding. 

We are so grateful to Cruiser, EMMETT (also retired, he is in AZ), and all of our school horses for bringing the love of horses to kids and adults with their huge hearts and deep patience.

Cordillera Metro District uses Bill.com for the monthly invoicing of boarding services.

Boarders: Make payments easily by getting your account created set up on Bill.com if you haven't already.

Here's how to get started:

Click to access the CEC boarding services billing portal here.

Use the invoice number that is on your invoice to set up an account. You will also need to enter an email address and password.

Benefits of getting set up on Bill.com:

• Easy online invoice payment
• Auto-pay via ACH or with a credit card
• View invoice and payment history

If you have questions about invoices or your Bill.com account set up, please reach out to Paula Kurtz, CMD HR and Finance Manager, at (970) 926-1923 or via email at pkurtz@cordillerametro.org.

By narrowing the hind legs, Flor (pictured here) is able to carry more weight behind and lift her front end. Read on to find out more about how it works!

We have covered rhythm, relaxation, connection, and impulsion—the four steps at the base of the training pyramid—in previous STABLE SCOOP newsletters. 

As we continue our journey upward, we now reach straightness. “But wait," you might wonder, “We are almost to the top of the pyramid—and only NOW the horse should be straight?” Well, not quite. 

Straightness is something the rider monitors all the time and is an integral part of training. A huge aspect of straightness is expressed in suppleness, or relaxation, to be found in the second rung of the pyramid. The horse must be riding the figures we discussed for suppleness, such as circles, changes of direction, etc. with the bend of the line of travel and the hind legs following the front legs following the nose. 

Straightness, as it appears near the top of the pyramid, is even more specific than straightness we might experience at lower levels... Click below to READ MORE about straightness, shoulder-fore, and practice exercises.

CEC Fire Evacuation Plan Summary

Please take the time to review the below summary carefully, and contact Annie if you have any questions regarding the fire evacuation plan. Thank you!

We have an updated evacuation plan to follow at the CEC in the event of a fire or natural disaster that requires an evacuation. The plan was made with the help of the Eagle River Fire District in coordination with CMD. The goal of the plan is to protect every horse on the property. The plan includes various scenarios depending on what is happening, and it is subject to change based on the best information we have available at that time. 

Key components of the plan include:

• Annie oversees the horses. In an emergency, she plans to be on scene and working closely with the fire department, who will take control of the scene.
• Your contact at the scene will be Annie. Please do not call emergency services, as they will already be occupied.
• Communications will be sent out via group text and/or email updates as appropriate.
• Horses will have name tags with their name and the owner number in case they are evacuated. The owner will be contacted once the horse arrives at its destination.

Horse owner preparation and responsibilities include:

• Please provide a safe, breakaway halter for your horse.
• Rope halters are not appropriate. If the horse needs more control than a normal halter and rope, please provide a chain.
• Has your horse practiced loading? Now is the best time to make sure that horses are easy to load.

Evacuation Scenarios:

• If there is a wildland fire nearby, there is a lot of defensible space around the stable according to the fire department, and the best option may be to shelter in place. We have cleared fire hazards in the periphery of our property and would follow the direction of the fire department.
• For sheltering in place, we plan to have core staff at the CEC and would have trailers at the barn if evacuation seems possible.
•  If you have a trailer and can drive it, you would be asked to come to the barn if an evacuation is possible. We have a list of known owners with trailers, and we may call you if we need trailers brought here with clear instructions. If you don’t have trailer, traffic will be controlled based on the situation. Please call Annie for more information if this is the case. Additional people on the scene can cause panic, clog roadways, etc.
• If we need to evacuate, we have several options for relocating horses. Decisions will be made based on the direction of the fire, where there is room, how many horses there are in the trailers, etc. Please be patient. Horses will be labeled with ID tags until they are reunited with owners.

—Parting Shot—

CORDILLERA METRO DISTRICT

408 Carterville Road, Cordillera

CordilleraLiving.com | (970) 926-1923