Chris Irwin’s 30 years of international horse industry expertise and his wife, Kathryn Kincannon’s 25 years as a hotelier of small luxury Relais & Chateaux hotels in California and upstate New York have meshed into a collective vision: to combine the best of both worlds at their stunning 100-acre wilderness property, Riversong Ranch. A pristine wild and scenic river valley with majestic pines, cedars and poplars, gorgeous meadows and a mile of rushing river frontage, Riversong Ranch is situated in the eastern foothills of the Canadian Rockies east of Jasper and west of Edmonton. Life in balance with nature is its forte as bald eagles nest, beavers build, and elk, moose, fox and deer are perfectly at home. Northern lights often adorn the sky, and peace and quiet is the music of the night.
Chris Irwin’s reputation in the horse world has been built around the premise “Ask not what your horse can do for you; ask what you can do for your horse,” a signature philosophy which will be intricately woven into every detail of Riversong Ranch. The thoughtfully-designed Equestrian Centre overlooking the 60-acre meadow will be the hub of the wheel with its light, spacious, fully insulated arena, 6-stall barn, and inviting Clubhouse with rock fireplace, wet bar and panoramic meadow and forest views. The Centre is available for a variety of events, from Chris and Kathryn’s workshops and clinics to private weddings, corporate think-tanks, artists’ retreats, even trade fair symposiums. Guests have a choice of lodging options – Kokopelli Cabin is a fully self contained & spacious one bedroom cabin; RV sites with electricity (water hook-ups not yet available); or tent camping sites . Future amenities envision a small Spa, non-denominational (English and western) tack shop, and a Riversong Café for meals and snacks. With more than a kilometer of river frontage, Riversong Ranch exudes tranquility and is a perfect panacea for the human condition, inviting you to take a refreshing walk, throw out a fishing pole or glide in a kayak or canoe. Mother Nature will work her magic before you know it…
Then there are the horses! With a dozen well-trained horses of every size and breed available at Riversong Ranch, the fundamentals of equitation – either English or western – as taught by one of Chris’ top certified trainers will change the way you feel about riding a horse. The year-round riding school and training facility will offer a diverse equestrian menu.
Chris being one of the world’s great masters in equine ethology – the science of body language – his methodology is a must for anyone who truly loves their horse. When you learn how to speak to a horse through your body the way it is speaking to you with his or hers, a whole world opens up between you and the horses that you would never have thought possible. From there, the fine art of lunging and long-lining, not to mention grooming and basic handling, allows you to truly reach the heart and mind of any horse.
The year-round equestrian menu will offer an ongoing riding program – English or Western, lessons in groundwork, stall work, round penning and equine body language. Bridle and driving paths are interlaced throughout the woods and meadows. Guests bringing their own horse to a lesson or clinic have the choice of reserving either an indoor stall or outdoor paddock got their horses and the Kokopelli cabin, an RV site or tent camping site for themselves.
Starting in 2011, as Chris makes the shift from on-the-road clinician to more stay-at-home trainer, he is implementing a personalized full-service training menu for starting young horses or refining older horses, As well, he is offering both a year-round working student program for apprentices from 1 month to 1 year and a working trainer program for Chris’ certified trainers desiring an intensive training education with Chris at Riversong.
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