Nicknamed for her auburn hair and a penchant to blush, Debbie “Red” Schrock expertly navigates the frosted terrain on the horseback trails at Sun Mountain Lodge. Sitting atop a white Kiger Mustang named Rio, Red shares her passion and enthusiasm for the Methow Valley one guided ride at a time. As owner and manager of JD Outfitters, Red took over the horseback riding program at the resort in 2011 after having worked there in the early 2000’s. Currently, managing 46 trail horses for an array of riding options, including customized private rides, cowboy camp dinners, and pony rides for kids under 5, keeps Red very busy.
Red’s love of horses began when she was a young girl living in the open country of Colville, Washington. “We borrowed all the neighbors’ horses until we can own our own,” she said. Impressed by their sensitive nature and intuitiveness, Red enjoys connecting with each of her stable of trail-wise horses who has unique personalities. As she guides me along the gentle sloping trails on a chilly autumn morning, I breathe in the fresh mountain air and listen to the birds sing. “From the back of a horse, you can look around and take in all the beauty,” said Red as she elaborates on her special brand of “mountain therapy.” “I give tours in the mountains where it’s beautiful and it gives people a time to just take a breath and look around and just remember what’s important.”
Local Color on The Loop is an ongoing, multi-issue installment featuring the colorful personalities one might just encounter while traveling the Cascade Loop. This installment features the talents of the Skagit Valley's own local photo journalistic celebrity, Ting-Li Wang. Ting-Li's previous experience includes The Wisconsin State Legislature, The New York Times, The Virginian-Pilot and The Hays Daily News 2018. Check out more of her work and follow her adventures on Instagram at @tingliwangphoto.
