Hoofbeats on the Trail

Verse 1
It started with Lotte, who knew the wild way,
Twelve years since her first ride, she brought us all to play
Gathered friends from stables, a vision in her mind,
To the Chilcotin Ark, where adventure we would find.
Chorus
We rode as six riders, one trail beneath our feet,
Through forests and meadows, where wild and courage meet.
With every hoof and heartbeat, we rose to every test,
Together we discovered the wildness in our chests.

Verse 2
Nanna’s hands on Nean, quick to learn and lend,
Pulling burdock from manes, calling out to warn a friend.
Rikke with Scout, mastering stakes on the hill,
Setting ropes and hammering, teamwork and skill.
Ane and Blue, steady through the climb,
Sharing Danish candy, caring every time.
Elisabeth’s bright spark, wildflowers in hand,
Setting intentions, leading tasks, helping everyone stand
Kirsti on Zola, sleepless but strong,
Spotting bears by the trail, pressing bravely along.

Chorus
We rode as six riders, one trail beneath our feet,
Through forests and meadows, where wild and courage meet.
With every hoof and heartbeat, we rose to every test,
Together we discovered the wildness in our chests.

Bridge
We staked in the meadows, we climbed to the sky,
Saw goats and grizzlies with awe in our eyes.
From river’s cool rush to the mountain’s embrace,
We found our own rhythm, our own wild place.

Chorus
Six riders, one journey, with laughter and care,
From sunrise to sunset, we found ourselves there.
We filled out the forms, gave back what we’d seen,
Left a mark on the wild, and the wild on our team

Verse 1
Brenda came from a year of change,
New town, new faces, feeling strange,
Longing for the wild she knew,
Mountains calling, skies so blue.
With Scout beneath her, heart unsure,
She rode out seeking something pure,
Through Douglas fir and pine she went,
On trails where time is slowly spent.

Chorus
She’s a lead mare on the mountain,
Riding high and riding free,
Finding strength she never counted,
In the wild, she came to be.
Through the rain and through the thunder,
With her horse and friends beside,
She found power, awe, and wonder,
On the mountain ride.

Verse 2
First day nerves and lessons learned,
Western saddle, river turned,
Map in hand, she faced her doubt,
Letting curiosity lead her out.
To Camp, through forests,
She saw deer and goats and bears,
Campfire warmth and stories shared,
Staking Scout every night, she showed she cared.

Chorus
She’s a lead mare on the mountain,
Riding high and riding free,
Finding strength she never counted,
In the wild, she came to be.
Through the rain and through the thunder,
With her horse and friends beside,
She found power, awe, and wonder,
On the mountain ride.

Bridge
Wildflower meadows, Spruce Lake’s peace,
Staking horses, worries cease,
White bark pines and mountain rain,
Journals filled with hope again.
Grizzly on the trail, hearts pound,
Singing loud, they held their ground,
Rainbow trout and laughter ring,
Every day, a new wild thing.

Verse 3
She learned to trust, to let things be,
To stake and hobble, ride with glee,
Grass assessments, bear hair found,
Conservation on sacred ground.
With every knot and every ride,
Her self-reliance grew inside,
Returning home, her spirit soared,
Empowered, strong, and self-assured.

Chorus
She’s a lead mare on the mountain,
Riding high and riding free,
With the land she’s reconnected,
Now she knows who she can be.
Through the storm and through the laughter,
With her horse and friends beside,
Brenda’s journey echoes after,
On the mountain ride.

Outro
Now she stands, a mountain woman,
Wild and present, open wide,
Ready for the next adventure,
With the wild in her stride

Verse 1
Storm saddled up on Scout, to go back to the wild
Learning new trails, eager and wide-eyed
Ray was riding with him, mentors by his side
Charlie, Kayleigh and Lea, along for the ride

Chorus
He’s got a trailblazer’s heart, chasing the sun
Learning new skills, getting the hard work done
From Pearson’s Lookout to Gun Creek’s bend
He showed his courage, again and again
With every mile, he’s making his mark
Storm’s riding forward with a trailblazer’s heart

Verse 2
Packed and shoed his horses, learned to stake and hobble tight
Drove a harness, rode bareback, loaded up just right
Campfire cooking, creek water cold
Tents in the wild, stories retold

Chorus
He’s got a trailblazer’s heart, chasing the sun
Learning new skills, getting the hard work done
From Leckie Falls to Spruce Lake’s shore
He’s finding adventure, always wanting more
With every mile, he’s making his mark
Storm’s riding forward with a trailblazer’s heart

Bridge
Up before sunrise, steam on the lake
Loons calling out, the world wide awake
Shared wild potatoes with Smokey the Bear
Fish with George the Eagle, Ben the Beaver there

Verse 3
Practiced his knots, chopped wood with grit
Faced every challenge, never thought to quit
Taught the crew to fish, showed what he’d learned
Self-sufficient and strong, respect he earned

Chorus
He’s got a trailblazer’s heart, chasing the sun
Learning new skills, getting the hard work done
From Fossil Rock to Open Heart’s view
He’s seeing the world with a vision brand new
With every mile, he’s making his mark
Storm’s riding forward with a trailblazer’s heart

Outro
Back at the ranch, wild harvest feast
Cougar, deer, mountain goat, the bounty released
Two weeks of growth, now he’s ready to start
The next great adventure with a trailblazer’s heart

Verse 1
Cole stood at the crossroads, degree in hand,
Dreaming of wild country, far from the land
Of lecture halls and city lights
He yearned for adventure, for mountain heights.
With Mongolia on the summer map,
He knew preparation was the gap.
So to the ranch, with his dad, Dan, by his side,
Cole came to learn, to ride, to stride.

Chorus
From the first unsure saddle to the wildflower meadows,
Cole and Billy rode where the river flows.
Through the forests and the fire-scarred land,
He grew with each challenge, steady and grand.
From questions and lessons to trust in the ride,
Cole found his courage, with Billy as guide.
On the trail to the mountain sky,
He learned to live, to grow, to try.

Verse 2
Guides Kayleigh and Lea showed the way,
Lewis and Dan riding close each day.
Cole learned to saddle, to pack, to lead,
To care for his horse and meet every need.
Bushwhacking the river, wild terrain’s test,
Bonding with Billy, feeling truly blessed.
At dusk, chasing horses out to the range,
Packing for camp, embracing the change.

Chorus
From the first unsure saddle to the wildflower meadows,
Cole and Billy rode where the river flows.
Through the forests and the fire-scarred land,
He grew with each challenge, steady and grand.
From questions and lessons to trust in the ride,
Cole found his courage, with Billy as guide.
On the trail to the mountain sky,
He learned to live, to grow, to try.

Bridge
Nine hours to Spruce Lake, through pine and fir,
Learning wild onions, the grizzly’s soft purr.
Campfire lasagne, fishing on the dock,
Wild potatoes, cold lake shock.
Up to Open Heart, zig-zagging high,
White bark pine, fossils, a 360 sky.
Digging like a bear, tasting paintbrush sweet,
Facing a grizzly, heart’s wild beat.

Verse 3
Leading Nean home, reins in hand,
Cole was no longer just learning to stand.
He steered two horses through tangled trees,
Confident, calm, moving with ease.
Saw moose and calf in the river’s gleam,
Back at the ranch, a feast like a dream.
Bareback riding, harness and stake,
Cole knew now what courage it takes.

Chorus
From the first unsure saddle to the wildflower meadows,
Cole and Billy rode where the river flows.
Through forests and fire, through challenge and fear,
He found self-sufficiency, growth year to year.
With every new skill, every wild, starry night,
Cole grew in confidence, ready for flight.
On the trail to the mountain sky,
He learned to live, to grow, to try.

Outro
So here’s to the journey, to questions and dreams,
To the bond with a horse and wild mountain streams.
Cole, you’ve grown from the plains to the high,
Now ride on to Mongolia, reach for the sky.

Verse 1
From the city streets of the concrete plains,
Tirajeh rode out to a wilder domain.
Left behind the noise, the rush, the lights,
Chasing stars in the Chilcotin night.
With Scout and Benjamin by her side, strong and proud,
Under endless skies, far from the crowd.
Guided by Charlie, with Manon along,
She found her place where the mountains belong.

Chorus
Ride, ride, through the rivers and the pine,
Taste the berries where the sun and snow combine.
With a hammer in your hand, and the strength you didn’t know,
You’re a mountain woman now, let the wild winds blow.
Ride, ride, Scout is steady by your side,
Through the Ark’s great heart, on this wilderness ride.

Verse 2
First day saddled up, felt that leather and rope,
River Ride sparked a new kind of hope.
Bushwhacking trails, tasting nature’s store,
Wild raspberries, thimbleberries, and more.
Learned the stories the Chilcotin keeps,
Where the land’s alive and the silence speaks.

Verse 3
Eldorado called on the second day,
Up the B&F trail where the mountain goats play.
Collected bear hair from the old rub tree,
For the science that keeps the wild running free.
In the meadow by camp, staked the horses down,
Worked hard ‘til the sun slipped out of town.
Through the dust, the climb, the strain, the sweat,
Found her grit in the work she’d never forget.

Chorus
Ride, ride, through the ridges and the rain,
Up in alpine air where the world feels sane.
With a hammer in your hand, and the fire in your soul,
Splitting wood ‘til the night bells roll.
Ride, ride, Scout is steady by your side,
Through the Ark’s great heart, on this wilderness ride.

Verse 4
Ridge Ride mornings, pancakes by the flame,
Tracking signs of the goats that came.
Marmots dancing in the alpine air,
Her heart beat steady, she belonged up there.
Split the wood ‘til her hands were sore,
Packed Jack for the trail once more.
Down the old mining road they’d go,
Tasting sorrel where the cold streams flow.
Verse 5
Feast on the wild like the mountains give,
Moose and bannock, the way they live.
Berry ice cream, pine tea, roots and game,
Every bite told the land’s true name.
Bareback riding with the wind in her hair,
Target shooting in the open air.
She’d learned the skills to live alone,
Yet knew the land is never our own.

Chorus
Ride, ride, may you carry this flame,
The Ark in your heart will not be the same.
For you’ve walked with the wild and heard its call,
And learned you were stronger than you knew at all.
Ride, ride, Scout will always be your guide,
Through the Ark’s great heart, on this wilderness ride.
She split the wood and felt the fire inside,
Learned her own strength on the mountainside.
Through trials of body, of heart, and of mind,
She rose each time, leaving doubt behind.
Now she carries the torch, with a light to impart,
Inspiring others to follow their heart.

Outro
From the city lights to the mountain moon,
She’ll be back to these trails, someday soon.
The Chilcotin waits with a whisper wide…

Verse 1
From a classroom in the south of Germany,
To a Chilcotin ranch where the high peaks shine,
Emely came with questions on her heart,
And Blue the cayuse horse by her side in time.
She left her fears at the old gate’s door,
Trading her desk for the mountain floor,
Joined as au pair at first, but she quickly found,
Her spirit also running with the horses unbound.

Chorus
She’s riding on Blue through the meadows wide,
With a heart steady and friends by her side.
Through fire, rain, and skies so true,
She’s finding herself, riding proud with Blue.

Verse 2
With Kayleigh’s help she learned the ropes,
Saddling horses, empowering others hopes,
Even when her nerves ran wild,
She faced it all with a patient smile.
Practicing stakes on a wooden frame,
Sleeping in tents through wind and rain,
Even mentored Fayçal, step by step,
Each new trial a secret kept.

Chorus
She’s riding on Blue through the alpine high,
Scouting valley floors where the Bighorns lie.
Through hands-on work and skies so blue,
She’s building her strength, riding proud with Blue.

Verse 3
At Brett Camp Trail, the journey called,
She packed the groceries, saddled all,
With Lea and Manon by her side,
The alpine trail became her guide.
Through lodgepole pine and wild raspberries, sweet,
Apache carried her up the steep,
At meadow’s edge she staked the herd,
Every action spoke without a word.

Verse 4
At dawn they tracked where the sheep might roam,
Up Jade Road’s climb, far from home.
She hiked Shulaps with steady feet,
Mount Sheba’s crown where earth and heaven meet.
Dinner was pine seeds roasted slow,
And mountain sorrel in the fire’s glow,
Each wild taste a story true,
Each breath a gift the mountains knew.

Chorus
She’s riding on Blue on the mountain high,
With her friends and teachers keeping stride.
With every fire, every view,
She learned her own spirit, riding proud with Blue.

Verse 5
First time striking a fire in the storm,
Sue let her lead, though her hands weren’t warm.
Flames rose bright in the misty air,
And she found her courage burning there.
Pika strayed to the meadow wide,
The horses gathered, the team stayed tied,
Lunch was laughter, journals in hand,
Scouting for sheep across the land.

Verse 6
At hidden lakes, reflections grew,
She fished, she rested, her spirit knew,
That growth is slow, like fire from rain,
But once it starts, it won’t fade again.
With Kayleigh as her assistant. she packed the horse, with lessons stored,
Soopallalie and raspberries by the trail’s reward,
And back at the ranch, with harvest spread,
She tasted the wild where the journey led.

Chorus

She rode on Blue through the storms and sun,
Wilderness taught her she’d only begun.
Now valleys and peaks sing a story true,
Of Emely’s courage, riding proud with Blue.

Outro

She leaves the bush with a fire inside,
Mountains etched deep where her spirit resides.
No longer in doubt, she knows what she’s worth,
A voice for the wild, for growth, for earth.
With each new dawn her heart rings true,
She’ll guide others forward, the way she once grew.
Empowered by nature, by trials she knew,
She inspires the journey, like the one she rode through with Blue.

Verse 1
She left behind her busy days, the work, the pets, the bees,
A call was calling from the heights, beneath the pinewood trees.
Apache waited saddled strong, the mountains drew her near,
Uncertain what awaited her path, she chose to persevere

Chorus
Ride on, Christina, riding strong and tall
Answering the echo of wilderness’s call.
Through pine trees and meadows, under pink sky light
You grew into a mountain soul, a rider bold and bright.

Verse 2
On Brett Creek’s trail she rode with friends, through forests tall and wide,
With Sue and guides close at her side.
She tasted raspberries on the breeze, and laughter filled the air,
She staked the horses in the meads and proved her skill was there.

Chorus
Ride on, Christina, riding strong and tall
Answering the echo of wilderness’s call.
Through pine trees and meadows, under pink sky light
You grew into a mountain soul, a rider bold and bright.

Verse 3
She split the maul, she brewed the cowboy coffee good and strong,
She taught patience by the fire, where every heart belonged.
They scouted for sheep upon the ridge, and listened to the breeze,
She harvested sorrel, pine seed gold, and wisdom from the trees.

Chorus
Ride on, Christina, riding strong and tall
Answering the echo of wilderness’s call.
Through pine trees and meadows, under pink sky light
You grew into a mountain soul, a rider bold and bright.

Verse 4
The hammer rang, the grasses stirred, her perseverance shone,
A staking hand, a steady eye, she made the skill her own.
She cleaned the camp, she cleared the ground, left nothing but the song,
And in the Chilcotin Ark, found where she belonged.

Bridge
When the trail twisted, and Pika ran away,
She learned that nature leads us, with lessons every day.
With patience and with wisdom, she helped her friends and crew,
The wild did not just change her, it grew her spirit true.

Chorus
Ride on, Christina, riding strong and tall
Answering the echo of wilderness’s call.
Through pine trees and meadows, under pink sky light
You grew into a mountain soul, a rider bold and bright.

Outro
So here’s to Christina, and Apache by her side,
Forever in the Chilcotin , they’ll ride, they’ll ride, they’ll ride.
She carries home the wild within, the courage she has met,
Memories and mountain strength, her spirit won’t forget.

Verse 1
Terry saddled Windy for his first ride high,
Left behind his busy life, chasing open sky.
A mountain man at heart with a brother on the trail,
Set out with Wayne, their spirits never failed.
He found his home at the ranch, learned the ropes and reins,
First taste of soopalallie, sunshine and summer rains.
Along side Charlie, Lisa, Kayleigh guiding hands,
He felt the wild calling through these untamed lands.

Chorus
Riding high past rivers runnin’ cold,
Windy and Scout, loyal and bold
Through meadows of green and mountain peaks bright,
Each mile a new story, each day a delight.
Terry’s journey, with a camera in hand,
Captured the wild, the heart of the land
Chilcotin magic, deep in his bones,
He found himself where the wild things roam.

Verse 2
B&F Trail with Scout to ride, Terry’s hopes soared,
Collected grizzly hair, always keen to learn more.
At Eldorado Camp, staked the horses for the night,
Showed teamwork and spirit from dawn’s first light.
Early mornings with grizzlies in the staking fields,
Wild potato treats the quiet meadow yields.
Mountain-top views, colours singing loud,
Terry took photos, though feeling’s not allowed
Inside a lens alone, he held it in his heart,
From the pine assessments to every winding start.

Chorus
Riding high past rivers runnin’ cold,
Windy and Scout, loyal and bold
Through meadows of green and mountain peaks bright,
Each mile a new story, each day a delight.
Terry’s journey, with a camera in hand,
Captured the wild, the heart of the land
Chilcotin wonder, his spirit set free,
Giving back, learning deep as can be.

Bridge
Painted cabins, tales of tracking down,
As Charlie tracked Ranger’s break for home.
Grass assessment, contribution that never ends,
Growth in each lesson, strength with each friend.
Evenings of laughter, wild foods to savour,
Saskatoon berries, soopallalie, deer, bear and cougar.
Certificates, songs, the time almost gone,
Reflections and goodbyes, but the journey goes on.

Chorus
Riding homeward through Camel Pass haze,
Terry found meaning in these wilderness days
The Six Principles guiding, from mountain to plain,
He’ll share what was learned, it’s more than a name.
With courage and kindness, self-sufficient and strong,
Inspired by the Ark, where the wild belong
Terry, your story’s just begun,
Chilcotin memories rising with the sun.

Verse 1
From Austria’s valleys to the mountains they knew,
Carol returning where tall forests grew.
Back to the Chilcotin, where in days gone by,
She planted new life ‘neath the wide open sky.
Savanna beside her, with a rider’s grace,
Ready to meet the wild in this rugged place.

Chorus
Crossing into the wild, where their stories begin,
Past the lodge and their familiar kin.
Following hoofbeats, the world opened wide,
Discovery waiting just on the other side.

Verse 2
Bubbles and Scout stood steady and proud,
Western saddles set, reins gathered in crowd.
Carol learned the ways of the cowboy’s land,
While Savanna brought English riding in hand
Her fresh horsemanship shining that day,
Turning the barrels in a joyful display.

Verse 3
Through Pearson’s Creek, cool water ran deep,
And forests held secrets they’d wander and keep.
Saskatoons sweet, wild raspberries near,
Thimbleberries bright in the sun’s golden cheer.
Soopolallie tang, wild onions below,
Even horsehair swaying where the tall branches grow.

Verse 4
Wilderness trails, where the wild winds sing,
Empowered hearts ready to lift their wings.
From Pearson’s Lookout, the land spread wide,
With ponds and Carpenter Lake at their side.

Bridge
They saw how the fire had darkened the land,
Yet life returned strong by nature’s command.
Wildflowers whispered and new friendships grew,
As the Chilcotin sky turned a deeper blue.
From saddle to sunset, a truth they both found:
Adventure runs deep when your soul’s unbound.

Chorus
Crossing into the wild, where their stories begin,
Past the lodge and their familiar kin.
Following hoofbeats, the world opened wide,
Discovery waiting just on the other side.

And when Tyax calls on a cool mountain breeze,
They’ll return to these trails with hearts at ease.
For mentors and mountains, and wild open gates,
Will always be waiting, while adventure awaits.

Verse 1
From her home town quiet morning, she left her world behind
Chasing mountain whispers, with adventure on her mind
Worries in her saddlebag, could she ride, could she last?
But Laureen took the reins, determined to surpass

Pre-Chorus
With Bubbles by her side, and friends along the way
She met the wild horizon, at the breaking of the day

Chorus
Oh, Laureen, you rode through the wild unknown
Through Douglas fir and pine, where the mountain winds had blown
You found your strength in rivers, in meadows painted bright
With every trail you conquered, you brought your dreams to light

Verse 2
She learned the mountain’s language, from mentors wise and kind
Tracked the grizzly’s shadow, left her doubts behind
Campfires and reflections, solitude and rain
In the heart of Spruce Lake, she found herself again

Pre-Chorus
From staking out the horses to fishing in the dawn
She grew with every challenge, her old fears were gone

Chorus
Oh, Laureen, you rode through the wild unknown
Through Douglas fir and pine, where the mountain winds had blown
You found your strength in rivers, in meadows painted bright
With every trail you conquered, you brought your dreams to light

Bridge
A grizzly on the ridgeline, a song to keep it far
The courage in her laughter, the wisdom in her soul
She learned the wild onion, the secrets of the bear
With every step she took, she breathed the mountain air

Verse 3
Through rain and through the thunder, she persevered on with her friends
At the roaring waterfall, she knew this wasn’t the end
A hot fire and a shower, a celebration earned
Laureen rode home triumphant, with every lesson learned

Chorus
Oh, Laureen, you rode through the wild unknown
Through Douglas fir and pine, where the mountain winds had blown
You found your strength in rivers, in meadows painted bright
With every trail you conquered, you brought your dreams to light

Outro
Now the mountains call her, their wildness in her soul
Laureen, the lead mare, forever riding bold
With memories and courage, she’ll chase the next sunrise
For every journey changes us, and Laureen’s spirit flies

Verse 1
Back in Switzerland’s green and gold,
Lisa lived where stories are quietly told.
A scholar’s path, routines well worn,
But her spirit longed for more to be born.
The call of the wild, a whisper so clear,
Remembered the Ranch from the prior year.
Adventure beckoned, the old life released,
To the mountains again, for heart’s wild feast.

Verse 2
It wasn’t the easy road Lisa chose,
Surf camp or comfort, friends she knows.
But courage spoke louder, echoing real:
Go, and discover what true growth will reveal.
Paperwork signed, online lessons embraced,
Packed her resolve, her fears she faced.
With Ranger and Scout and mountains so wide,
She crossed the threshold with hope as her guide.

Verse 3
Through storms and through sunlight, she walked her new way,
Each challenge, each setback, just part of the day.
With resilience burning, she’d rise and she’d thrive
Lisa’s true gift is her spirit alive.
A survivor of challenges, with laughter and grace,
Her positive outlook picks up her pace.
True transformation, not found in the win
But meeting each challenge with fire from within.

Verse 4
Guide School awaited, full of unknowns,
She learned how to travel these wilderness zones.
Tack and map, packing and shoe
Thunder above, but Lisa pushed through.
Exhausted, uncertain, she found her new pace,
With determination and grit carved into her face.
She danced with discomfort, made virtue her friend,
On steep hills and cold mornings, wisdom to lend.

Verse 5
Bear spray and long treks, laughing at fate,
Six hours hiking, but her courage was great.
Given the option to ride, she chose her own stride
Eager to grow, with courage as her guide.
New skills grown, from heart and from hand,
Each trial endured made her stronger to stand.
The journey finished and new skills earned with pride,
From student to leader, she walks at your side.

Verse 6
Back at the Ranch, her growth she could share,
Passed along knowledge, empowered with care.
Taught Emely to stake, to pack and to lead
Showed them their bravery, planted the seed.
Pulled weeds with a smile, viewed sunsets so grand,
Lisa inspired her friends to expand.
Stepping beyond what the mind will allow
She calls for the next to be daring as now.

Chorus
Lisa, the mountain woman, survivor and guide,
Found her strength, with the world open wide.
By choosing the challenge, she found her own song,
And now sings to others, “you too, are strong.”
Her journey reminds us, growth starts inside
Just step past your comfort, let courage provide.
For the truest survivor finds joy in the test,
And lifts up the rest with virtue confessed.