Mission
The mission of the Pikes Peak Range Riders is to promote and support the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, support the Pikes Peak Range Rider Foundation and to carry on our western heritage.
History
The first ride of the Pikes Peak Range Riders around Pikes Peak was in July, 1949 was an experiment to promote the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, resulting from an idea of Everett Conover and Kenneth Brookhart. Anyone who wanted to go, and could provide himself with a horse and $35, could go. A total of thirty-eight riders made the first trip. The second year, the ride was preceded by a Street Breakfast held on Pikes Peak Avenue. The breakfast had been held for a number of years to promote the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo so it was a “natural” as a starting point for the “Round the Peak” ride. The Pikes Peak Range Ride has become a tradition and a part of the rich history of Colorado Springs.
Annual Ride
The annual ride kicks off at the Colorado Springs Street Breakfast promoted and partnered with the City of Colorado Springs, Fort Carson, Sertoma and the Pikes Peak Range Riders. The breakfast is prepared and served by Fort Carson volunteers. The $5.00 breakfast includes eggs, pancakes, milk, coffee and juice and is free to children under five. Tokens for the breakfast may be purchased from Sertoma Club members in the Pikes Peak region, the morning of the breakfast or at Springs Spree. All proceeds from the breakfast go to benefit military charities.
The Pikes Peak Range Riders ride out of downtown at 8:00 AM marking the 65th annual range ride, thirty-five of which have been around Pikes Peak. The City of Colorado Springs, private landowners, and the U.S. Forest Service have historically been very gracious in granting access and the permits necessary to reach our historical campsite at Gillette, Colorado.
One of the best traditions of the annual Range Ride is Guest Night when military and community leaders, guests and Range Riders join together to celebrate our western heritage in the shadow of Pikes Peak with nothing but sky overhead!
Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo
2013 marks the 73rd Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo which gathers crowds from all over the United States. The majority of the proceeds from the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo are provided to local military charities to help out those in need of assistance. Since its inception, the rodeo has contributed over 2 million dollars to these military families. Many Range Riders are either directors on the Rodeo Board or work on various volunteer committees.
PPRR Foundation
The non-profit Pikes Peak Range Riders Foundation was founded in 1998 to promote and preserve the western heritage of the Pikes Peak Region by providing their Latigo Trails Heritage Centre, multi-use community facility, to organizations and individuals for their charitable, educational, cultural and recreational activities. The Centre also hosts the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center‘s special needs equestrian program.
Pivots
The Pikes Peak Range Rider Pivots, a precision riding group consisting entirely of Range Riders, were formed in 1954. They have ridden in numerous performances in places such as Denver, Wyoming, Texas, Nevada and Oklahoma. They are good-will ambassadors for the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and through their performances promote tourism to the Pikes Peak region.
Rangerettes
The Pikes Peak Rangerettes equestrian drill team, formed in 1957 and comprised of young women between the ages of 12 and 20, also promote the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and the Pikes Peak region in local and regional performances.
Special Rodeo
The Range Riders started the Special Rodeo in 1996, held each year at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame during the week of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. The Special Rodeo gives special needs children an opportunity to experience horse related events in a rodeo environment where every participant is a winner.