When you’re riding the 100 miles of trails at The Resort at Paws Up, drinking in the 37,000 stunning acres, you realize just how big Montana’s Big Sky really is. And even when you come inside, you’ll find wide open spaces. Paws Up’s Saddle Club is the largest private equestrian center in the state of Montana, featuring a 29,000-square-foot riding arena.

Once a premier breeding facility for American Quarter Horse Association horses, the Saddle Club facility is now a haven for The Resort’s wranglers to work our horses throughout the winter. We also host arena lessons and roping clinics, come good weather or bad, and provide a place for local 4H kids to learn about horsemanship.

It’s no wonder many guests spend their entire vacations under the keen eye of our horse trainers, relishing private lessons, group rides, horse-care lessons and many other experiences not available on other dude ranch vacations in Montana. Unlike so-called “dude ranch” experiences, we match our guests’ skills and temperaments precisely with those of our horses. From responsive beginner horses to those capable of executing side passes and flying lead changes with advanced riders, you’ll find the right horse within our 52 stalls.

Special events, from unique wedding parties to corporate retreats, held at the Saddle Club take on a rustic elegance when groups have us dress it all up for a party. Rain or shine, this venue always makes for an incomparable event. Within this one spectacular facility is seating for 150 spectators (yes, we even put on rodeos, to our guests’ delight), customizable long-table-style food service available upstairs, a VIP Sky Box suite with a full bar and enough Western authenticity to fill, well, a massive arena.

Whether you want to fine tune your family’s riding skills or plan the wedding of a lifetime, the Saddle Club at Paws Up makes a whole lot of horse sense.

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