Friends of the Equestrian Skills Course
Who we are . . .
“Friends of the Equestrian Skills Course promotes the education of equestrians and other trail users by developing and maintaining a public equestrian skills course.”
We are a group of dedicated equestrians who are lending their talents to build an equestrian skills course at Bear Creek Regional Park (just off 8th street) in Colorado Springs.
​
Several people had seen courses similar to the one located in Bear Creek Regional Park, Colorado Springs. The idea is for horses and riders to learn to navigate obstacles found in wilderness trails in a controlled environment. The course will contain various obstacles for all ages and skill levels of horses and riders.
​
Because of the course's location, it will provide interaction with other trail users on select perimeters, plus include a mainstream multi-use trail through the skills course area. Each obstacle will have a few different approaches and departures to allow for horses and riders to increase their skills.
​
As of the end of 2024, the course has a completed "Steps" obstacle, "Flats" obstacle (including many bridges & rock and log jumbles) and "Switchbacks" obstacle. All obstacles have beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels to practice on. (The "Pond" obstacle is in need of renovation and there is ongoing discussion with the El Paso County Parks department regarding the remaking of the pond. Currently, discussion has been tabled until further notice).
​
As of Sept 2025, the friends group is excited to announce there has been discussion this past summer regarding the addition of another obstacle to the skills course. Currently, a design plan is in the works for a "gates" obstacle area. Once prepared, the design plan will be submitted to the El Paso County Parks Dept for approval. We hope to be building the "gates" obstacle in the spring of 2026.
​
​The equestrian skills course is in the southeast corner Bear Creek Regional Park, Colorado Springs. It has been approved by the El Paso County Parks Department as part of the park's master plan.
Some Quick Information About The Course & Parking:
The course is open every day from dawn to dusk and is free to the public.
We do ask for donations though, as our friends group is fully tasked with fundraising, designing, building and maintaining the course with no monetary and little labor assistance from El Paso County Parks, the city, the state, or any other nationally recognized organization. This is a unique course and the only one in the country, if not the world, where it’s completely free and open to the public. It also features beginner, intermediate and advanced levels at each obstacle.
Parking is available in the RV parking lot near the dirt pile at Norris-Penrose Event Center (NPEC)
as shown on the map on our Facebook page and website.
Please be respectful of this lot so we can continue to use it.
The event center is at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.
​
Need More Info??
Reach out to us on our FB page or by email at friendsequestrianskillscourse@gmail.com
Drawings of planned obstacles and
map of the skills course.
(Drawn and donated by Mark BIbb)
