WANNA BE A COWBOY?
Learn to rope and ride with the best of 'em at Arizona Cowboy College(www.cowboycollege.com), where visitors are exposed to authentic cowboy skills at a working cattle ranch. After a two-day tutorial, attendees spend the next four days on a camping expedition where they work side-by-side with cowboys.  At Fort McDowell Adventures(www.fortmcdowelladventures.com), guests take a horseback ride in the desert and round up cattle while they're at it. Riders seeking a “city slicker” experience can opt for a two-hour cattle drive pushing herds from the Fort's remote pin back to the stables. On the way, they observe spectacular views of the Mazatzal Wilderness and Tonto National Forest, and possibly encounter some of the desert's wildlife – including wild mustangs.

Relive the Old West at Rawhide Western Town & Steakhouse at Wild Horse Pass(www.rawhide.com) in nearby Chandler, Ariz. The 1880′s town provides a full day of family adventure, including multiple rides, games and attractions, and daily performances by the high-fallin' Rough Rider stunt men. If you like to shop, check out the collection of Western stores. Located on 1,280 acres of pristine Sonoran desert, MacDonald's Ranch(www.macdonaldsranch.com) is a premier horseback riding destination that also offers Western adventure for the whole family. Enjoy guided horseback rides, hayrides, stagecoach rides, pony rides and a petting zoo.

ANNUAL EVENTS
The Hashknife Pony Express (www.hashknifeponyexpress.com) makes its ride every January traveling 200 miles from Holbrook, Ariz. to downtown Scottsdale and delivering 20,000 first-class letters by horseback. The ride, led by the Navajo County Hashknife Sheriff's Posse and kicking off the annual Parada del Sol Rodeo, is the oldest officially sanctioned Pony Express in the world. Riders are sworn in as honorary mail messengers braving weather, terrain and modern-day obstacles to deliver the United States mail. Afterward, find the good ol' boys throwing back a few cold ones at the self-proclaimed “last real cowboy saloon,” the Rusty Spur Saloon (www.rustyspursaloon.com).

Celebrating 60 years, the Parada del Sol (www.paradadelsol.us) is the world's longest horse-drawn parade and takes place every February in downtown. Following the procession is the popular Trails End Celebration with Western entertainment, music and a pancake breakfast. The parade kicks off the Parada del Sol Rodeo, a full week of boot stompin' fun atWestWorld of Scottsdale (www.scottsdaleaz.gov/westworld) that includes rodeos, dances, live country music, children's activities and more. Also in February is the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show (www.scottsdaleshow.com), a 10-day spectacle where the event's namesake breed of horse competes for highly coveted awards against the backdrop of Scottsdale's Sonoran Desert.

The National Festival of the West (www.festivalofthewest.com) is a four-day Old West celebration in March that includes a Western tradeshow, music jamboree, Extreme Cowboy Race, Chuck Wagon cook-offs and a writing competition. At The Scottsdale Polo Championships: Horses & Horsepower (www.thepoloparty.com) in October, it's equine fun of another kind with thrilling polo matches from teams like Harvard University. Other must-see events include the Show Circuit All Breed Horse Show, Arizona Sun Circuit and Western ArtWalk.

SADDLE UP AND SHOP
Western themes dominate much of Scottsdale's art and shopping – particularly the gallery scene in the Main Street Arts & Antiques District (www.downtownscottsdale.com) and the Western boutiques and souvenir shops in Old Town. The boutiques offer everything from expensive Remington bronzes to the latest in chic cowboy fashion. Along with the growing market for Western memorabilia and historical collectibles, the city's downtown redevelopment has strengthened the Old West shopping districts. In fact, strolling downtown one can find traditional hitching posts for riders, and the streets are still patrolled by Scottsdale's mounted police unit.

Saba's Western Wear (www.sabaswesternwear.com) has been an Arizona tradition for more than 70 years and made its home in downtown Scottsdale when coyotes were still roaming freely and the main mode of transportation was by horseback. From hats, boots and clothing for men, women and children, this family owned and operated business is the place to find all of your cowboy life staples. At J. Gilbert Footwear by Lucchese(www.jgilbertfootwear.com), find the perfect fit with high-end, handcrafted Western boots.

A HORSE IS A HORSE… 
The City of Scottsdale (www.scottsdalepublicart.org) has made an incredible investment in public art, making it a dynamic part of the cityscape. The result is a masterpiece of urban aesthetics including several magnificent sculptures that portray the city's passion for the horse. One of the most notable is Ed Mell's famous bucking bronco sculpture, Jack Knife, found at the intersection of Main Street and Marshall Way. Also in the Fifth Avenue shopping district is the popular Bob Parks horse fountain featuring several bronze horses at attention. In Old Town, the Yearlings sculpture attracts kids wanting to get their picture taken with the three young foals. There's also the symbolic Passing the Legacy, a bronze sculpture designed by Herb Mingery depicting the melding of Scottsdale's historic and modern Western appeal with a vintage 1860s rider passing a mail bag back to a modern-day rider. And Water Mark by Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan, which sits along Indian Bend Wash, is a series of five, 14-foot “horse gargoyles” that pays homage to the history of Arabian horses in nearby McCormick Ranch.

Visitors of all ages can delight in authentic stagecoach rides (www.horsencarriage.com) through downtown Scottsdale on Thursday evenings, and Friday and Saturday afternoons. Pulled by North American spotted draft horses, the carriage takes guests on a free Western-related ride through the Old Town area, highlighting significant stops and public art along the way. From mid-October through April, guests also can enjoy horse-drawn rides through downtown Scottsdale's art district from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays during the weeklyScottsdale ArtWalk event.

A TASTE OF THE WILD, WILD WEST
Greasewood Flat (www.greasewoodflat.net) is a 120-year-old bunkhouse that serves up Old West charm with live music, hearty burgers, cowboy beans and some wicked libations. It's been in business for more than 30 years and is the ultimate casual, Old West hangout – so leave the ties and skirts at home! Neighboring Reata Pass Steakhouse(www.reatapass.com) was once a stagecoach stop in the 1880s for adventurers making the trek across the Verde River to Northern Arizona. Today, the family friendly steakhouse is known as the most authentic cowboy restaurant in the Valley. Just down the street is Pinnacle Peak Patio (www.pppatio.com) where they've been serving up cowboy grub for more than 50 years. Unless you want to see it cut off and hanging from the rafters leave your necktie at home!

Known as Arizona's original family steakhouse, Rawhide Steakhouse celebrates the spirit of its Western roots through traditional cooking and true hungry cowboy portions. An abundance of indigenous ingredients are used from the Gila River Indian Community and Rawhide's own Akimel Basho Farm. The diverse menu features everything from rattlesnake and local fried green tomatoes to Snake River trout and the gunslinger filet mignon.

Known as Arizona's original family steakhouse, Rawhide Steakhouse celebrates the spirit of its Western roots through traditional cooking and true hungry cowboy portions. An abundance of indigenous ingredients are used from the Gila River Indian Community and Rawhide's own Akimel Basho Farm. The diverse menu features everything from rattlesnake and local fried green tomatoes to Snake River trout and the gunslinger filet mignon.

Cave Creek (www.cavecreek.org), the town just north of Scottsdale, is home to a unique and colorful history that dates back to the 1870s. The town wasn't incorporated as a municipality until 1986 and much of its history is still reflected in the theme of its special events and fun, kitschy retail shops that dot the streets. Shopping in Cave Creek attracts not only the casual browser, but also the serious collector as offerings include everything from spurs to crafts and custom jewelry by local artists.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Laura McMurchie, VP of Communications
Phone: 480-429-2253 Fax: 480-947-4523
E-mail: mailto:LM@scottsdalecvb.com 

Tatum Luoma, Director of Public Relations
Phone: 480-889-2719 Fax: 480-421-9733
E-mail: tluoma@scottsdalecvb.com