Trading the Arena for the Backcountry: My Upcoming Pack Trip with Red Rock Ride

After years of horse shows, braiding manes, polishing boots, and hearing my number over the loudspeaker, I’m ready for something different. Not better—just… wilder. Less ribbons, more ridgelines. Less arena dust, more canyon wind. So I’m trading in the show ring for the backcountry and heading out on a pack trip with Red Rock Ride.

This isn’t a weekend trail ride or a guided trot around a park. It’s a full-on, multi-day horseback adventure through the rugged, heart-stopping beauty of the Southwest. We’re talking Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s the kind of trip where you sleep under the stars, ride all day, and wake up to the sound of horses rustling nearby. Honestly? That’s exactly what I’ve been craving.

Red Rock Ride puts you deep into the land—places where the trail isn’t always smooth, and the views hit hard. It’s a chance to slow down and strip things back to the essentials: a steady horse, a solid saddle, strong coffee, and the kind of silence you can actually feel.

This trip is about a different kind of horsemanship. Not precision and points, but partnership and grit. It’s not about impressing judges—it’s about trusting your horse on narrow ledges and steep switchbacks, and remembering why you fell in love with riding in the first place.

ARIAT Women's R.e.a.l. Mid Rise Stretch Icon Stackable Straight Leg Jean

$79.95

Your Pack Trip Just Met Its Match: Ariat Women’s Stretch Stackable Straight Jeans

Ditch the arena whites. These jeans were built for trail dust, saddle time, and sunrise coffee in the backcountry.

The Ariat Women’s Stretch Stackable Straight Leg Jeans are tough enough for long rides and comfortable enough to wear all day—on or off the horse. With just the right amount of stretch, a mid-rise fit that stays put, and a bootcut leg that stacks perfectly over your boots, they’re made for riders who don’t stop when the trail gets rough.

✅ Durable enough for backcountry terrain

✅ Comfortable stretch for all-day wear

✅ Flattering fit with a no-gap waistband

✅ Bootcut leg that stacks clean over any riding boot

Whether you're riding through canyons or setting up camp, these jeans have your back (and your seat). Saddle up and ride knowing your gear won’t quit before you do.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

10/26/2026 07:59 am GMT

I’ll be going with a group of friends and other riders, most of them probably just as ready to shake off the noise and get a little dirty. No need to clean tack or polish spurs—just show up, saddle up, and ride.

Right now, I’m packing gear, swapping breeches for jeans, and breaking in my trail boots. I don’t know exactly what to expect—and I kind of love that. I won’t be chasing points on this trip. I’ll be chasing sunlight across cliffs, the sound of hooves in soft dirt, and that deep, worn-out kind of tired that feels like satisfaction.

I’ll try to share photos if there’s service, but truthfully, I’m more excited to disconnect. To step out of the arena and into something real. Something wide open.

This isn’t an escape. It’s a reset. And I’m more than ready.