It's just after 5 a.m. at The Ranch, and the day is already moving. The sky is still dark, but the barns are awake. Parents carry sleepy kids wrapped in blankets, a halter, or breakfast in hand—the smell of hay and coffee mixes in the cold morning air. Horses shift in their stalls, trailers line up outside, and more are pulling in, each carrying animals ready to be delivered to their temporary home for the next few days. The sound of gates rattling fills the space, boots hit the ground, and there's a steady energy in the air. Inside the arenas, the Ranch Operations crew is already at work. The footing is being turned, blended, and leveled. Clay and sand work together to create a firm, even, and ready surface. It's early, and most people haven't arrived yet, but this quiet prep work sets the stage for everything that follows. Everyone's getting ready for what's to come. Because here, footing isn't just dirt.
A Performance-Driven Approach to Tradition
Currently, The Ranch Equestrian Center Warm-Up Arena is getting a performance-driven upgrade, because excellence is a moving target and we're always aiming higher. As The Ranch continues to grow into a regional and national event destination, our standards grow with it. This is part of the everyday upkeep that ensures our facilities continue to serve at the highest level, especially after the arena's expansion in Phase I of the Master Plan.
If you've spent time in a competition arena, you know footing isn't just dirt. It's a precise blend of materials, compacted and leveled to perfection. It's what gives a horse confidence to move and perform at its best. It protects joints. It prevents slips. It makes all the difference between a decent ride and a standout performance.
So, here's what we're doing. We're removing and rebuilding the footing with a true 80/20 mix, 80 percent clay for structure and 20 percent angular sand for grip. We're laser-leveling the surface and using a reverse tiller to blend and roll the materials into a soft, stable, consistent base. This allows us to tailor the footing to the correct depth based on discipline, species, and event needs. The goal is to create a surface that adapts to the athlete, not vice versa.
If you're unfamiliar with footing, think of it as the playing surface. Just like a basketball court needs the right bounce or a running track needs the right texture, horses need footing built for their movement. It helps them perform at their best and stay safe while doing so.
But excellent footing doesn't happen by accident. It's a blend of the right materials, the right equipment, like multiple tractors and drags, and the right people behind it. It takes experience, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for creating a surface that supports both horse and rider.
That level of care is something we take seriously at The Ranch.
A Place Where the Ground Tells a Story
The ground at The Ranch holds more than just footing; it holds history.
Northern Colorado has always been tied to the land. Generations of farmers, ranchers, horseriders, and show families have built their lives here. Agriculture isn't a background element; it's the backbone. And for nearly 150 years, the Larimer County Fair has been where that way of life is celebrated, shared, and passed on.
The first fair took place in 1879 on the east side of Fort Collins. It moved to Loveland in 1912, grew alongside the Corn Roast Festival, and finally found its current home at The Ranch in 2003. Each location change reflected the region's growth and the people who call it home. From the early days of cavalry stables and hand-built arenas to today's full-scale livestock shows and national competitions, the fairgrounds have always been a gathering place.
The Ranch was built to continue that legacy. It's not just a venue; it's a reflection of Northern Colorado itself. It's where youth show their first 4-H lamb, where rodeo fans return every year, horses are unloaded before dawn, and stall doors clatter across barn aisles. It combines hard work, homegrown pride, and lifelong memories.
While the region continues to grow and evolve, its heartbeat hasn't changed. It still starts with agriculture, horses, and lived in spaces where animals perform and people come together.
At The Ranch, the ground isn't just something we walk on. It's part of who we are.
The Master Plan: Honoring the Past, Preparing for What's Next
While this footing upgrade isn't part of the Master Plan itself, it reflects the same mindset: care for what we've built, and commitment to what comes next. The expansion of the Warm-Up Arena was completed as part of Phase I, an effort focused on community-first investments like the 4-H, Youth & Community Arena, the Equestrian Center expansion, RV hookups, land acquisition, and circulation improvements.
As we prepare to enter Phase II, the focus shifts toward long-term sustainability. That means infrastructure and event spaces that attract larger events, support the local economy, and reduce reliance on public tax revenue. Upcoming projects include an expanded event plaza, an outdoor event lawn and amphitheater to support year-round programming, significant upgrades to Blue Arena, a redeveloped youth sports complex with three new ice sheets, and a new hotel and convention center.
These are bold steps. But they are steps built on a foundation long ago rooted in agriculture, community, and care. And while The Ranch is much more than barns and arenas, these spaces are a big part of who we are. They're where animals perform, where people gather, and where tradition lives on.
At The Ranch, even the ground plays a part in the story.
Just in Time for the Summer Slide
The new footing will debut during the Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Association's Summer Slide, which runs July 5 through 13. This nationally recognized event will attract elite competitors nationwide to test the updated Warm-Up Arena.
Later this year, the 2025 Larimer County Fair PRCA Rodeo, the Mountain States Circuit Finals, and dozens of other livestock and equestrian events will return to The Ranch. These shows don't just bring crowds; they bring life to this place. Every hoofprint, every applause, every early morning load-in is part of what makes this campus more than just a venue.
Where Community Meets Craftsmanship
The Ranch Equestrian Center isn’t just about competition, it’s about connection. It’s built on the belief that the behind-the-scenes details matter just as much as the spotlight moments. We’re proud of what’s happening here, not just the big, visible projects, but the quieter ones too. The ones that begin early in the morning, when the air smells like clay and diesel, and the work starts long before the crowds arrive.
Want to see what's next?
Visit our website to explore the complete Ranch Master Plan and learn more about the work underway.
treventscomplex.com/about/master-plan
Because great events don't just happen. They're built from the ground up.