Plenty of Horses in Albuquerque, New Mexico
I went for a ride during my visit to Albuquerque, New Mexico. However, this trip didn’t involve a horseback riding vacation. Instead I swung my leg over a large wicker basket and went for a ride 10,000 feet above Albuquerque, New Mexico in a hot air balloon.
Out in nature we horseback ride through creeks and rivers, enjoying the scenery and chance encounters with wild animals like coyotes and deer. On this riding adventure, we floated over the Rio Grande River and sailed above a coyote during our landing approach.
My horseback riding experience came in handy as I bent my knees while standing in the gondola basket, preparing for a rough landing.
Flying Stage Coach at International Balloon Fiesta, Albuquerque, New Mexico
During the special shapes rodeo of hot air balloons, pigs do fly, as well as bumble bees, dairy cows, lady bugs, Sponge Bob and the impressive Cent’r Stage Wells Fargo Hot Air Balloon, among others.
While no horses were hitched to this larger-than-life stage coach, the hot air balloon measures 160,000 cubic feet of air, 100 feet from wheel to wheel and is 90 feet tall. The Wells Fargo Hot Air Balloon weighs 1,445 pounds and unlike a typical stage couch, it has room for one rider and a jockey – pilot. Similar to the horse-powered Budweiser or Wells Fargo Stage Coach team, this hot air balloon takes a dedicated crew of 20-25 people to keep it running – floating.
Plenty of horses to see in Albuquerque
When visiting New Mexico, there are plenty of things to see and do in Albuquerque. I didn’t have time to take the ABQ trolley, but I did visit some of the local museums, including the National Hispanic Cultural Center for the unveiling of a beautiful 4,400 square foot fresco by Frederico Vigil. The cartoon – yes – that’s what they are called – of the holy grail and horse is magnificent.
Horses of a Different Color in Old Town Albuquerque
Albuquerque is known for their beautiful pottery and colorful works of art. Horse lovers will find plenty of native art work to compliment Western themed ranch houses, evoking memories of a horseback riding vacation in New Mexico.
New Mexico Artist Turns Pendelton Blanket into Horse of a Different Color
Caballos in Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Founder of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes, came riding into town on a caballo – Spanish word for horse – on April 23, 1706. The son of the Province of Asturias, Spain and governor of New Mexico, Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes sits astride a bronze equestrian statue marking the entrance to the historic Old Town Plaza off Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
If You Go:
Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown Hotel
Photos, YouTube video and article by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip. I was a guest of Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information on Albuquerque visit It’s a Trip. You may also follow them on Twitter and follow RidingHorseback on Twitter.
My aunt just went to this too and loved it. Strangely the same week this happened I actually went on my first hot air balloon ride in Minnesota – what a ride! However I’d love to see all of the balloons in the sky at the festival!
Nancy – this is a great article and a fun perspective on horses in Albuquerque! Thanks for sharing our story with the world!