2008 Equine Extravaganza

Updated August 31, 2008

From The President
The summer is rolling by us and National’s is around the corner. I hope everyone has set aside the dates for this year’s National Show. From everything I’ve heard we can expect one of our best Nationals ever. Make sure to make your reservations early. The pre-registration ends August 1, after that the class fees go up significantly. Also, make sure to make your motel reservations ASAP and don’t forget to mention you are attending the PFHA Nationals. Most hotels in the Perry, GA area are holding blocks of rooms for our show.

At our PPFHA membership meeting at the Clemson show in April we voted to attend to horse expos, and in Raleigh and the other in Ohio. Ali Casey and Lynn Gallup put together a great booth at the Raleigh Horse Extravaganza. Our PPFHA booth won first prize at the event, which entitles us to a free booth and 20 spectator tickets to next year’s event. This will save us of $1,000 next year and gives us great exposure for the association and our breed. Congratulations to Ali and Lynn for their efforts. I’ve been working with Steve and Ann Crossman, who are members of Piedmont and also Great Lakes, on the Ohio Horse Expo. At present we have the Piedmont, Great Lakes, and Kentucky regions working on this event together. This is one of the largest Horse Expos in the country and we can get some excellent exposure for our regions.

YOUTH, don’t forget the “Getting Ready for Nationals” Youth Clinic to be held on August 30 & 31 at Chetola Farms. Robin Ratliff will be the clinician. This should be one of the best clinics we’ve put on for our youth. Even if you are not going to nationals, this clinic will be a valuable investment in your riding future. Contact Ann Furr, DVM at drfurr@alltel.net or Chetola Farms at chetola@aol.com.

Your association needs your help!!! Membership levels at the National level as well as the regional level have been decreasing the last several years. The Piedmont Region is no exception. We need someone to step up to the plate and take on the role of Membership Chairperson. We need to move forward with this position now. If you have any interest in taking on this leadership role for our association or if you can serve on this committee please contact me via email at billkerns@alltel.net or give me a call at 828-859-5456. We need your help.

Last but not least, this is our election year for the officers of our association. Kathy Williams is the Nominating Chairperson. If you have any interest in serving your association, please contact Kathy at chetola@aol.com. We will be electing a new President, Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer as well as a new Director position. Some of the people on your BOD have served the association for many years, it’s time we gave them a rest and it is also healthy for our association to get new thoughts and perspective on the board. The elections will be held at our Annual Membership Meeting in November. Please contact Kathy at your earliest convenience your interest or the name of someone you believe would be an asset to our board.

Get those horses ready for Nationals; we want Piedmont to be well represented again this year.

Bill Kerns
PresidentPPFHA

Upcoming 2008 Events

Piedmont Trail Ride: South Mountain, Connelly Springs, NC is August 9th
(Camping & stalls available) website: http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/somo/home.html. Trail Host: Candace Link, 336-940-2936 H, 336 413-5204 Cell; Email: pasolink@yadtel.net.

Each trail host has graciously accepted the responsibility for leading rides at locations they often ride. If you plan to participate in that ride, you will need to contact the host so they can obtain a head count for the ride and food. Some rides are in locations where food is not nearby and will require you to pack a lunch. If the ride requires a packed lunch your Trail Host will inform you to bring your lunch, a dish for potluck or tell you food is provided.

Piedmont Youth Clinic: Getting Ready For Nationals is August 30-31 in Monroe, NC
Attention Parents and Youth: Please make your reservations for the "Getting Ready for Nationals" Youth Clinic with Robin Ratliff, to be held August 30 and 31st at Chetola Farms in Monroe, NC. Even if you do not plan to go to Nationals this year, the information covered will be valuable to every young rider at any level. Get your questions answered and those special inside tips from Robin! The fee will be $125 and includes 1 and 1/2 days of group instruction from Robin and lunch both days. Entertainment is also planned. You won't want to miss this! Email drfurr@alltel..net or chetola@aol.com for more info and to make your reservation.

Clinic Flyer (.pdf) | Clinic Registration Form (.doc)

Dr. Ann Furr, DVM
704.798.3460

The NC State Fair Horse Paso Fino "Raleigh" Show is October 20th
2008 NC State Fair Show & Class Listing Flyer
New for 2008 will be the Trail Obstacle class moving to the outside arena. Trail is the first class after the lunch break, and this will give the trail class exhibitors a chance to practice the obstacles ahead of time. It will also have the main arena available for schooling during the lunch break. The Pleasure Driving class was removed from the schedule due to lack of participation. The Wine Glass class will be moved to after the Performance Championship as then exhibitors will still be in "formal" attire for this fun class. The Wine Glass class will be the last class before the lunch break. There is usually a good spectator crowd at that time in the arena. Draft Horse classes will again be intermixed with the Paso Fino classes in the evening. The earlier move-in time of 4pm on Sunday which suited exhibitors better in 2007 will again be available. The Pole Bending "fun-sport" class was popular with exhibitors and spectators alike in 2007 will be held again, so let's see a few more Paso Finos in that class to make it even more exciting to watch!

Flat Rock Farm's Ali and Paul Casey will be hosting their delicious Bar-B-Que to exhibitors on Sunday night again. Rick Shaffer and Derek Fernandez are the judges for the show. Fred Moretti is the PFHA steward.

Contact Lynn Gallup for more info at (919)362-5966 or at info@gracewoodpasos.com.

Lynn Gallup
NC State Fair Local Show Chair

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Professional Paso Fino Trainer’s Assoc. Benefit Colt Raffle for Juan Carlos Iriarte

August 2008

Dear Paso Fino Members and Friends,

On behalf of the Professional Paso Fino Trainer’s Association I appeal to you with a message concerning our dear friend and fellow trainer, Juan Carlos Iriarte. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your previous support; and remind you exactly what it is that we do. One of the purposes of the PPFTA is to serve the interest, opinions and “needs” of the Professional trainers involved in our Paso Fino Breed.

Two and a half years ago, Juan Carlos was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or ALL. Leukemia is a cancer of the blood. ALL is the most common type of leukemia in children but it is rare among adults. Throughout all the countless rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, a stem cell transplant and a most recent battle with an invasive fungal infection that caused him to lose his left eye; Juan has maintained a positive and faithful spirit, relying on the support of his family, friends, and ultimately his unshakeable faith in God.

In the Paso Fino Horse Association we all are part of one family. It is in the spirit of family that I want to share with you two ways in which you can help.

First, please consider registering to become a bone marrow donor. There are about 6,000 patients searching the National Donor Program Registry (NMDP) for a donor each day. One in four patients will not find a match. It’s often difficult to locate a match because tissue characteristics are so specific. Patients in need of a marrow transplant are most likely to match with someone from the same ethnic group. There are two ways to register as a potential donor:

• Attend a Bone Marrow Donor Drive
• Request a Typing Kit by mail For more info: www.bonemarrowregistry.com

Secondly, the PPFTA is sponsoring a benefit raffle of a Paso Fino Colt. If you would like to help Juan Carlos, please consider purchasing a raffle ticket. You can select to keep the colt or auction it off at the time of the drawing. The drawing will take place at this year’s National Championship show in Perry, Ga. on
September 19th. Tickets are being sold for $5.00 each or you can purchase a book of ten for $40.00 or 30 tickets for $100.00. Because time is of the essence, you can help immediately by visiting the following website: www.ranchoeldestino.com and purchase your tickets on line.

Your contribution will go a long way in helping to alleviate the financial burden that accompanies a health crisis of this magnitude. If you are able to sell tickets from your farm or at upcoming horse shows, please contact us. If you would like to request your tickets via mail or would like to make a donation, make checks payable to:

Benefit for Juan Carlos Iriarte
2071 Sigmon Dairy Road
Newton, NC 28658

For more information, contact: Judy Laney at 864-585-4049 or jjlaney@charter.net; or visit the website: www.ranchoeldestino.com. Thank you so much for being willing to help our fellow trainer and friend.

Alice Page
Chairperson PPFTA

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The Paso Fino won Best Breed Representation Contest at Equine Extravaganza
The Paso Fino won "Best Representation of Breeds" at the 2008 North Carolina Equine Extravaganza (horse expo) July 11th - 13th, 2008 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, North Carolina. Many breed associations and clubs competed for the best representation of their breed at this state event. Judging criteria for the Breed were based on authenticity of breed representation, diversity of breed, and pageantry. Contestants also were judged on the presentation of their booth including attractiveness, originality, and educational interactivity component with the public.

The Piedmont Paso Fino Horse Association competed in this event with the judging on Friday, the first day of the event. Winning factors included the attractive exhibit breed booth and their Parade of Breed riding exhibition. Piedmont PFHA members Ali Casey and Lynn Gallup set up the 10' x10' exhibit space including accessory items with a Spanish and festive flair, such as past National Show framed theme posters, multi-colored aztec patterned rugs and tapestries, fancy embroidered black bolero jacket with black Spanish show hat, shining silver show trophies, and big championship ribbons. A DVD player showed many Paso Finos in action. The exhibit's highlight was Piedmont's attractive tabletop photo display unit showing all the things that Piedmont PFHA's owners' Paso Finos can do, whether show, trail, jumping, cattle work, or companionship.

Ali Casey stated: "I thought our exhibit was very good. We showed alot of background and history on the Paso Fino."

For the Parade of Breeds exhibition on Friday (part of the judged competition), Lynn Gallup rode her beautiful dun mare Beech Tree Majatisa in her colorful Andean Mountain festival costume in the main riding exhibition arena. The announcer read a breed description with Andean flute music playing in the background. For Saturday's Parade of Breed exhibition, Lynn and Majatisa performed with formal royal blue and black attire riding with a filled wine glass in one hand. Sunday's round pen breed demo was represented by the lovely gray mare Diplomacia La Estrella. She showed off her natural Paso Fino gaits on a lounge line, with owner Lynn Gallup as handler.

The benefits of winning this breed representation competition were many, including the exposure of the Paso Fino horse and of the Piedmont PFHA region. Main benefits included:

1. Marketing dollars extended: Piedmont PFHA will receive a free booth and stall for next year's Equine Extravaganza event, along with 20 tickets for their club, a value of $975. That's saving Piedmont's marketing budget funds for other marketing uses in 2009.

Piedmont PFHA's President Bill Kerns adds: "This year's participation in the Equine Extravaganza was a tremendous success for our breed and our association. We were thrilled when we won the best booth/display award at the event and it saves our marketing budget for next year to the tune of almost $1,000. We committed our association to participate in two such events this year. Our second Paso Fino promotional event will be the Equine Affair in Ohio. We are working with the Great Lakes and Kentucy Regions to make this event a huge success as well. Our membership proudly voted to spend these marketing dollars to promote our breed and our association. Although our shows and clinics draw outside people to our breed, these multi-breed events bring in thousands of people in a setting where we can show off the Paso Fino horses' varied abilities." .

2: Internet bonus presence: The winning club will receive a feature mention on the Equine Extravaganza website www.equineextravaganza.com with a live link to Piedmont's website www.piedmontpasofino.org. Note the Equine Extravaganza organizers also put on a Virginia Equine Extravagana in August 2008.

3. Free Publicity: The winning breed was invited to perform back during the "Equus Extraordinaire" night show with an announcement and highlights of the breed read to a large crowd.

Lynn exclaimed: "The response was so good Friday night from the crowd in the evening show announcing that we had won the breed award when we took a few rounds in the arena; they asked us back for Saturday night -- the announcer guy said 'Its a different crowd! Ride again!' The Paso Fino became 'family' and 'Raleigh weekend entertainment'. On Saturday night, the place was much more crowded then on Friday night, and the crowd applauded as we passed them by with wine glass in hand. That was a big hit as the announcer spoke of the breed's smooth ride. It was a great weekend experience I will always remember -- riding my Paso Fino in front of this crowd. I could see the smiling faces of the people and their clapping in appreciation. I smiled even more with pride as I rode around the arena with my very good sport and breed ambassador Maja. It had been a wonderful and personally satisfying experience to share the Paso Fino horse to the general public for this event!"

Ali added: "Our participation in this event allowed us to put the Paso Fino in front of the general public who may only know Quarter Horses or other gaited breeds. They often have no idea that the Paso Fino is such a warm giving animal, one that will give you their soul if you allow it. Any time, we can put our horses before the public is a good thing!"

4. Genuine Interest: People sought out the Piedmont Paso Fino booth and the Paso Fino stall on the Breed Alley in the main exhibit building, after seeing the riding demos and evening features in the main arena. They could see and touch a Paso Fino up close. Ali Casey answered many questions about Paso Fino horses and its heritage. Many were surprised to learn that the Paso Fino descendants were the mounts of the Spanish Conquistadors! Many free Piedmont Membership Directories, PFHA Farm Directories, PFHA Coloring Books, and PFHW magazines were handed out to interested parties. A number of Paso Fino owners, friends and Piedmont members stopped by for a "hello", a helping hand, or a chat from as far away as Pinehurst, Snow Hill, Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina; and Virginia. Its always nice to talk to others about our favorite horses and what's happening with them.

Towards the end on Sunday afternoon, two tired trainers found their way to the Piedmont booth and sat down for a rest. They had both competed in the "Three Day Pro-Trainer Challenge" contest, and were still in their cowboy hats, chaps and spurs. One of them said he had ridden a Paso Fino before, back near his home in Georgia, and liked the ride. They watched the Piedmont booth for a short period of time.

Make plans to attend next year at the North Carolina Equine Extravaganza. t he Paso Fino and Piedmont PFHA will be there! Note: the 2008 Virginia Equine Extravaganza will be in October in Richmond, VA.

Visit the Piedmont PFHA Photo Gallery to see many photos of the Equine Extravaganza!

NEW Welcome New Members
Mary Holcombe, Simpsonville, SC
Lindsey & Nathalie Morse, Raleigh, NC

NEW Vote for the 2008 PFHA Amateur Owner of the Year Nominees
Read the PFHA A/O of the Year nominees' biographies -- click here.

• K.K. DuBois
• Hector Lans
• Jesse Perez
• Ruben “Tony” Rodriguez

Online Piedmont Membership Directories
The online Piedmont Farm and Membership Directory pages have been updated this month. Take advantage of adding a live email or website link, cost is only $10 per link and stays current as long as your membership stays active.

2008 Piedmont Futurity Update
The Piedmont Futurity continues to grow. See the August 2008 updated Futurity Stallion listing. Any offspring from a nominated stallion is eligible to enter the Futurity Classes and, once nominated, each horse can show until its eligibility is finished. Futurity classes are shown at Asheville, along with regular show classes during the Saturday/Sunday show. If you have any questions, email Jerry Dotson jkdotson1@charter.net.

When making your breeding plans, consider these Piedmont Futurity Stallions whose offspring can show in the futurity and win money. Offspring of many of these stallions are also eligible to compete in the Breeders Sweepstakes at Nationals so you can have several chances to win additional prize money. The owners/agents are listed along with their phone number for contact.

Piedmont Classic Stallion Auction
Look for the coming update on the 2008 stallions breedings that will be available from the 2008 Piedmont Stallion Auction.

Please contact Robbie Davis at (704) 895-4071 or email: ElPorvenir@aol.com with your bids on any 2008 breedings purchased. Bid is closed as soon as payment is received. Make checks payable to: PPFHA Mail to: Robbie Davis, 18600 Shearer Rd., Davidson, NC 28036.

Piedmont Pathfinder's Program
The new year is rolling right along with trail riding, so keep logging all those hours you ride and send them in monthly. If you haven’t joined, or for more information on the Pathfinders riding rewards program. This program is on hold right now while a new chairperson is found. Send in your $25 to join Piedmont’s Pathfinders program and get your T-shirt to start and a supply of forms to record your miles.

We have a new Pathfinder Committee Chairperson, Diane Maury. Diane has volunteered to handle our Pathfinder Program. You can reach her at 803-351-1589 or email her at rdfoxhillfarm@aol.com.

Download the Piedmont PathFinders Hours log in PDF format.

Rewards include:
50 hours - hat
100 - coffee mug
300 - cantle bag
400 - safety kit
500 - sweatshirt
1000 - jacket

A special prize will be awarded to the rider with the most hours at the end of each year. Membership is open only to Piedmont PFHA members. Double points will be awarded for any sanctioned trail ride regardless of group/breed. Signature of trail host required. To join, send $25 and T-shirt size to:

Piedmont Pathfinders c/o Robbie Davis, 18600 Shearer Rd., Davidson, NC 28036

Piedmont High Point Awards
Robbyn Young is the 2008 Points Chair. If you have a question, please contact Robbyn at robbyncita@netzero.com. Good Luck to everyone and wishing you a successful, fun show season.

2008 Piedmont PFHA Guidelines for High Point Awards (revised)
1) High point awards will be tallied for all PFHA recognized classes for each show year, from September 1 to August 31.

2) Any PFHA point show which is sponsored in full or in part by Piedmont PFHA will count towards high point tallies for that year.

3) Points will be counted based on official PFHA guidelines for each show and class, as per the PFHA rulebook. Championship points count in addition to any points earned in the corresponding regular (qualifying) class.

4) Only horses owned by Piedmont members (current members at time of each show) will be considered for Piedmont high point awards. All owners of a horse must be Piedmont members in order for that horse to be eligible for high point awards. Members do not have to live within the geographical territory of the region and do not have to have their national voting affiliation with Piedmont in order to compete for high point awards.

5) Should a class not have a Piedmont-owned horse which has won points in a given show year, a high point for that class will not be awarded for that year.

6) For youth and costume class awards, points will accumulate for each rider in each class regardless of the horse(s) ridden by the youth or costume rider. All youth and costume riders must be Piedmont members but their horses may be owned by a non-Piedmont member (in which case those horses cannot compete for any horse category awards).

7) If points are withheld from a class or show by the national PFHA because of incomplete requirements, improper class, or ineligible rider, (or for any other reason), those points will also be withheld from counting towards Piedmont high point awards.

8) In addition to the individual class high point awards, awards will be given for the following overall categories:

• Overall High Point Horse
• High Point Amateur Owner Rider
• High Point Stallion, Mare, Gelding
• High Point Sub-Junior and Junior Youth Riders

High point trophies will be awarded at the annual membership meeting and banquet in the fall of each year after the appropriate show year has ended.

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PFHA Registration Special
The Registration Department is once again offering a special price for horses over 720 days of age. This time this offer will be done in stages by the sex of the applicant horse. The first horses this special will be offered to are mares which fall into this age category. The applications for these horses must be postmarked between the following dates:
Mares - Oct. 1 & Oct. 24, 2008
Stallions - Dec. 1 & Dec. 26, 2008
Geldings - March 2 & March 28, 2009

Visit www.pfha.org for more information.

From The Trail

This year’s calendar is shaping up nicely. We have old favorites and some new adventures. We hope you will join us.

If you plan to participate in a Piedmont Ride you must be a Piedmont member and make reservations with the Trail Host. This is an insurance requirement for designated Piedmont Rides. You must contact the host with your name(s) of the people riding and a telephone number where you can be reached. Your Trail Host will need this information to verify your membership and so you can be contacted in the event the ride has to be canceled due to weather or other reasons. If you are not a member you will be required to join before the ride.

Trail Etiquette: Be a courtesy trail rider, if your horse kicks, please tie a ribbon on its tail so others will know to stay clear. If you are riding a stallion, please ride in front of the group so as not to annoy mares. Do not run up on horses from behind trying to catch up or take off in front without warning those around you first. Pay attention to your Trail Host instructions. Remember you are there to make sure everyone has a good safe ride.

Ideas for involvement: If you know the trails at the host location, offer to help your Trail Host lead a group. Often we have those that prefer to go slow or are on a young horse and prefer a smaller group. Also, if we have more than 10 horses, it is nice to split into smaller groups to ride and meet back at and allotted time and location. Coordinate with your host to help lead a group.

Offer to help with food: Not everyone rides or prefers to ride as long as the trail may be. If you are a short ride person or a non rider who has tagged along to enjoy the day, ask your host what you can do while the others are riding, volunteer to set up tables, pick up ice, drinks and food.

Things you need to bring: Lawn chairs. Shovel and/or poop scooper. Leave no trace at all facilities so we may continue to enjoy the opportunity to ride there.

We have some new and exciting places to ride this year. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, suggestion or would like to be a trail volunteer to help with our trail rides, please contact me at (336)413-5204 or email: pasolink@yadtel.net.

Happy Trails!
Candace Link

Piedmont Trail Ride: South Mountain, Connelly Springs, NC is August 9th
(Camping & stalls available) website: http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/somo/home.html. Trail Host: Candace Link, 336-940-2936 H, 336 413-5204 Cell; Email: pasolink@yadtel.net.

Each trail host has graciously accepted the responsibility for leading rides at locations they often ride. If you plan to participate in that ride, you will need to contact the host so they can obtain a head count for the ride and food. Some rides are in locations where food is not nearby and will require you to pack a lunch. If the ride requires a packed lunch your Trail Host will inform you to bring your lunch, a dish for potluck or tell you food is provided.

Trail Riding Buddies
If anyone would like to be a Riding Buddy, or if you want a Buddy to ride in a Park you are interested in exploring, please let us know! Remember to be courteous enough to give all these folks at least a day or two’s notice! If anyone else would like to volunteer to be a Riding Buddy, or if you want a Buddy to ride in a Park you are interested in exploring, please let me know so I can put the information in the Newsletter. Contact Marcia Carrico at (336) 998-1111 or casacarrico@yadtel.net.

Marcia Carrico has volunteered to be a “Riding Buddy”, if anyone wants to come to Salem Lake Park in Winston-Salem and needs someone to ride with them. Call (336) 998-1111 or email her at casacarrico@yadtel.net.

Brian & Jill Smith have volunteered to be “Riding Buddies”, if anyone wants to come to Moses Cone Park in Blowing Rock, NC. Call (828) 268-0608 or email them at brian@blowingrockrealestatenc.com.

Valerie Fox has volunteered to be a “Riding Buddy”, if anyone wants to ride at Cane Creek Park in Waxhaw, NC and needs someone to ride with them. Call (704) 243-0113 or email her at vfox@alltel.net.

Candace Link has volunteered to be a “Riding Buddy” if anyone wants to come to Pilot Mt, Latta Park, New River Trail and Sand Hills State Forest and needs someone to ride with them. Call (336) 940-2936 or email her at pasolink@yadtel.net.

Piedmont Trail Ride Requirements
You must be a Piedmont member or Trail Ride Member, and contact the Trail Ride Host prior to Trail Ride deadline to participate.

Trail Etiquette
Be a courteous trail rider. If you horse kicks, please tie a red ribbon its tail so others will know to stay clear. If you are riding a stallion, please ride in front of the group so as not to annoy mares. Do not run up on horses from behind trying to catch up or take off in front without warning those around you first. Pay attention to your Trail Host instructions! Remember, you are there to make sure everyone has a good safe ride.

Attention All Trail Riders ... Join the Piedmont Path Finders Program
Piedmont PFHA is proud to announce the a new riding rewards program called "Piedmont Pathfinders". It will be like the national PFHA Pasos For Pleasure program. For a one time membership fee of $25 you will receive a T-shirt and log sheets to track your hours. Contact Diane Maury, phone: 803-351-1589 and her
email is: Rdfoxhillfarm@aol.com. Dianne is the new chair of the Piedmont Pathfinders program. She will keep track of log sheets. Download the Piedmont PathFinders Hours log in PDF format. Click here for more info.

PFHA Ticket to Ride Program
The Ticket to Ride is completely free to participate in for PFHA members. Members will complete a "ticket", which can be downloaded from the PFHA website or requested by contacting PFHA. Once the ticket is complete it is returned to the PFHA to be eligible for drawings that will take place at the Grand National Championship Show. You do not have to be present to win. You must be a member of the PFHA at the time of all rides and at the time of the drawings.

A member can complete as many tickets as they wish. The more tickets a member completes the better their chances are for the drawing. The tickets will be held at the PFHA until time for the drawings. The ticket has five spaces to have completed before the ticket can be returned to the PFHA. Every time you participate in a PFHA sanctioned trail ride it will count for two rides. A non PFHA sanctioned ride is worth one ride. You may use organized trail rides (must have a Ride Manager and be advertised) or any other event you participate in with your registered Paso Fino. Backyard pleasure riding/exercising can not be used for the Ticket to Ride program. Have the ride manager initial the spaces and sign off on the back of the ticket.

Online Horse Trail Directory
Check out the website called www.horsetraildirectory.com. It is a growing website where trail riders can critique trails and facilities all over the country.

Piedmont Membership

Join Piedmont PFHA
There is a new printable size Piedmont membership form online you can print and mail. Remember a person buying a Paso Fino horse from a Piedmont member can give the buyer a free annual Piedmont membership, along with a PFHA membership (need free new membership form from PFHA). Its time to start thinking about 2009 dues! Ride Guest Membership category available for one trail ride at $10.00. The Piedmont website Membership page will be updated in the January update to include all members who have renewed, so renew or join now to be included. Joining as a Piedmont Farm membership includes being listed in Piedmont's online Farm Directory, Membership Directory, includes your website listing, entitles you to 3 votes, and include 1-2 adults.

Piedmont Membership Directory available
If anyone needs a membership directory mailed directly, please let Milda know and one will be send to you. This is the directory that was handed out at the Piedmons remember to fill out the paperwork for any new buyers to get a free one year individual membership in PIEDMONT as well as PFHA. There is a separate form for Piedmont and PFHA. The Piedmont form is the regular membership form. The PFHA form can be downloaded from www.pfha.org and must be sent to PFHA with the original registration papers to transfer the horse to the new member.

Invite them to participate in any of our events, make them feel welcome in our association. Give us their name(s) so that we can send them a membership directory. Your involvement could make the difference as to whether they stay with us or drift away from the breed or association. Our association is here to help and support us all. Please stay involved and help keep Piedmont PFHA one of the most active regions in the country.

E-News Update for 2008
Please put your email address on your renewal form to receive the newsletter electronically by email. The new monthly Piedmont E-News started in September 2007.

• If you are a Piedmont member and do not receive the monthly enews, check your spam filter and allow email to be received from piedmontpfha@yahoo.com.
  
• Consider adding piedmontpfha@yahoo.com to your list of contacts in your email address book.
  
• Please check that your current email is on record with Piedmont's secretary and on the website's membership directory page http://www.piedmontpasofino.org/pages/membership.html.
  
• You can also email piedmontpfha@yahoo.com and give your current email address also.

For the newest Piedmont e-news format, be sure to have your email program allow graphics and images and "html" to be turned on. The format is in the introductory phase, and has been favorably received by members. Please note and check the “opt-out” of a printed snail mailed newsletter on the Membership renewal form, which will save our organization many hundreds of dollars per year.

Piedmont PFHA Website and E-news Deadlines
The 25th of each month will be the tentative deadline for getting new information to the webmaster with a target date around the1st of each month for page updates to be online. Email information in MS Word or text, or notepad format if attachment or within the email message to Lynn Gallup webmaster email . News and Event photos should be sized to 72 dpi before emailing.

Paso Fino Horse World Regional News and Deadlines
From Lori West... Do you, your child, or a friend, have an accomplishment with a Paso Fino that you would like to share with the rest of our members? Would your child enjoy seeing their photo and name in print? Did you enjoy a Piedmont event? How about taking the opportunity to encourage a new Paso Fino enthusiast publicly? Please send your news and photos to Lori West, and help make the Piedmont PFHA regional news column in PFHW interesting to read by all PFHA members. Your info and photo might also appear in the Saltblock Gazette.

Deadline for submission of news for the Piedmont article is the first day of each month. Send news to: Lori West, 74 Gibbs Road, Leicester, NC 28748 or email to lorihwest@yahoo.com. Lori's phone/fax 828-683-1793.

Piedmont Password Deadlines
Email or send your Password news to Martha Wishon, 4110 Williams Rd., Lewisville, NC 27023
phone: 336-945-3885 or email rbpasofino@aol.com. The Password deadlines are the first day of the following months: January, March, May, July, September, November. The Password is issued bi-monthly and is mailed around the 10th of the stated months.

Piedmont PFHA Website Advertising Rates

Ads run for one year and text info can be updated if horse is sold or price changes.

Text Only For Sale Ad. Up to 50 words; Ads runs up to 1 year (Piedmont member rate); may be canceled if the horse is sold. Includes e-mail link and URL link - $25.
(Non-Piedmont member rate - $35).

Text with One Photo For Sale Ad. Up to 50 words; Ad runs up to 1 year (Piedmont member rate). Includes e-mail link and URL link - $40.
(Non-Piedmont member rate - $60).

Text with 2 Photos For Sale Ad. Up to 50 words; Ad runs up to 1 year (Piedmont member rate). Includes e-mail link and URL link - $50.
(Non-Piedmont member rate - $75).

Photos for ads should be digitalized or scanned; size specifications should be 300 px by 300 px max. and 72-100 dpi. There will be an additional charge of $25 per each photo that needs scanning. Please see the Advertising page for more info.

Farm and Membership Directory Email and/or Web site URL Links
Don't you want your web site and email address in the farm listing or membership listing to be just a click away? The link(s) will stay in place unless you don't renew you membership the following year.

• $10 for each Piedmont Member Directory email link
• $10 for each Piedmont Farm Directory email link
• $10 for each Piedmont Farm Directory web site URL link
  

Piedmont Business Sponsors

Southern States Feed Program - Piedmont Futurity Sponsor
Southern States still gives Piedmont money back on every feed bag coupon that is sent in and for bulk deliveries, which supports the Piedmont Futurity. If you feed "bag" feed, please take the time to clip the coupon (in dotted lines) off the back of each bag. Piedmont gets $.25 for Legends or Equitech bag and $.10 for every Reliance bag coupon submitted. Piedmont also gets credit for 50 lb. for bulk deliveries, so save the pink weight slip.

All coupons and weight tickets can be turned in any time to Joe & Eileen Wilhem, 1285 Stony Ridge Rd., Pinnacle, NC 27043. Thank you for taking the time to support the Futurity through this program.

Piedmont PFHA and Country Supply - Piedmont Futurity Sponsor
Recently I was ordering supplies from Country Supply online and discovered that they have a "donation program" called Country Care, which donates a portion of a customer's payment to a non-profit group of the customer's choosing. So, I signed up the Piedmont Futurity as the non-profit group we can contribute to. We will get up to 5% of purchases back (excluding dewormers and shipping costs), much like a Discover Card gives cash back.

In order to participate, all you have to do is make an order with www.countrysupply.com and after you put in your credit card information, you will see a box for "Country Care Code." In this box you should type Piedmont Futurity" written without a space between words. Country Supply will tally our corresponding purchases and send us a check monthly to benefit the futurity program.

Any of you who have shopped through Country Supply probably know that their prices on grooming supplies, barn tools and supplies, and horse care items are the best around. Please consider using them if possible and remember to type "Piedmont Futurity" as your Country Care Code. Pass this along to any of your friends who shop for horse supplies and ask them to help us out by shopping at Country Supply.

Piedmont Website Advertising
Got a Paso Fino for sale or a Piedmont Futurity Stallion to promote, now is the time to submit your Classified Ads for Piedmont's website. To include one photo in your ad is only $40 for Piedmont members for one entire year online on the world wide web. Piedmont classified ad pages are showing up in search engines, so get yours to be included. Currently there are a number of new ads that will be added very soon to the Sale Barn and Stallion Row web pages. Be sure your ads are included, so anyone on the web can find you easily! See the very affordable ad rates. Classified advertising helps to pay for the Piedmont website.

Check out the Piedmont PFHA June 6, 2008 website stats for the home page (entry page usually into the Piedmont website's other pages. Over 34,000 hits! Take advantage of the exposure Piedmont gets on the world wide web with advertising your horses!

Promote Your Farm on The Internet
At Piedmont's website, on the 2007 Piedmont Paso Fino Farms Directory page, did you know that Piedmont Farm member may list their websites. If you would like to add a ACTIVE link to your website address OR email address, for the online directories, the cost is just $10 per each farm and $10 per each email link. As long as you renew your farm membership yearly, the ACTIVE link will stay in place without costing any more. People can click on your email or website direct without copying or pasting. If you have an email change later on, that can be corrected at no charge. If you have a regular Membership, you can add an ACTIVE email link from the Membership Directory page also. Cost is just $10. for an email link.

Send your check to Piedmont Treasurer, Robbie Davis, 18600 Shearer Rd., Davidson, NC 28036 with which links, and email the info to webmaster, Lynn Gallup.

Piedmont's Website Ranks High in the Top Search Engines
Have you got a Paso Fino horse to sell or a stallion at stud and need to get the word out to people who might be interested? Doing a search where www.piedmontpasofino.org would be ranked when typing in the key words: "paso fino horses NC" came up with excellent ranking results in the Internet's top search engines. Google had it listed as #1 on page 1. Considering Piedmont doesn't pay for any priority listings, these are exceptional results. Many surfers will not go past the first page in doing hits. Piedmont's website fell on the first page of these widely used search engines. Now is the time to get your Piedmont website classified ads in for the next month. The ads stay online for an entire year. Don't miss out on this Internet advertising opportunity. The rates are very cost competitive compared to other horse sites. See Piedmont's advertising page for rate information and submit your Internet ads. There are members and non-member rates.

Changes for the 2008 PFHA Grand National Championship Show
The Youth portion of the show will be held on Saturday and Sunday, adding an extra day to the National Show. This will hopefully decrease the number of days that these children would need to be absent from school as well as afford them the opportunity to shine in their very own "National Show".

“Getting Ready for Nationals” Youth Clinic to be held on August 30 & 31 at Chetola Farms. Robin Ratliff will be the clinician. This should be one of the best clinics we’ve put on for our youth. Even if you are not going to nationals, this clinic will be a valuable investment in your riding future.

Clinic Flyer (.pdf) | Clinic Registration Form (.doc)

Contact Ann Furr, DVM at drfurr@alltel.net or Chetola Farms at chetola@aol.com.

Piedmont Open Circuit Horse Show Program

New dates for Open Show at Biggerstaff Park in Dallas, NC, known as the Triple Challenge are April 12, June 7 and September 13. These are the same format as the usual ones with PASO FINO youth pleasure, country pleasure, pleasure mares/fillies; stallion/geldings and championship; performance mares/fillies, stallions/geldings; and performance championship, interspersed with western pleasure and racking horse and game classes. Shows start at 10 am with the english/hunter division. Paso classes start after lunch break. Contact: Ann R. Furr, DVM, phone: 704-798-3460 or drfurr@alltel.net.

June 14th -- N.C. WHOA Versatility Show, Biggerstaff Arena, Dallas Park, Dallas NC. Dress code is casual. Please come and join the fun. GAP, model, showmanship classes open to all gaited horses.
Start time is 11am. Address is 1303 Dallas-Cherryville Highway, Biggerstaff Park, Dallas NC.

Oct. 11th -- N.C. WHOA Versatility Show, Ellis Park, Salisbury, NC. The event has a nice arena, good bathrooms, good basic concessions, and work out of your trailer- no stalls. Contact: Ann R. Furr, DVM, phone: 704-798-3460 or drfurr@alltel.net.

June 21st Gaston County Horseman's Association Open Show.
Paso Fino pleasure and performance classes offered for youth and adults. All breed show. More info coming in the near future.

Piedmont Open Circuit Horse Show Program
Don’t miss this opportunity to show Paso Finos to the public! You will improve your skills and those of your horse, without the pressure of PFHA shows, all the while making new friends and having lots of fun! It is hard to believe that the show season is already in full swing, but its not too late to join the Open Show Program. Sign up now for the Open Show Points Program.

You can find shows in your area by checking the Piedmont website’s calender of events. If you know of a show you would like to add to the list, just fill out the show approval form and send it to Penny Rose. You will receive points for any and all classes you place in at approved shows. Please send your Open Show reports in to Penny Rose as soon as you complete them, so she can keep on top of recording those points!

This year get your Regional High Point recognition. If you need additional information contact Jeanne Griggs, 900 W. Buford St., Gaffney, SC 29341 (864)487-9565 or email Jeanne Griggs jeannegriggs@bellsouth.net.

These all-breed open horse shows are a good way to promote the breed and sell horses, and can help increase membership in PPFHA. The program will provide shows for beginners who do not feel qualified for Asheville or Clemson. Points will be awarded to the rider rather than horse. Horses must be registered and riders must be members of PPFHA. Points will be given for any class a horse competes in for the top six winners in adult classes and to the top six winners in youth classes.

The contact for recording and sending open show circuit point sheets to is Penny Rose, 16976 Justice Branch Road, Littleton, NC 27850, phone 252-586-7978.

Piedmont PFHA Open Horse Shows Program Application Form [pdf file]

Piedmont PFHA Open Horse Shows Program Member Form [doc file]

Piedmont PFHA Open Horse Shows Program Points Worksheet [pdf file]

Piedmont PFHA Open Horse Show Program Eligibility

o Riders must be current members of Piedmont PFHA and must be members during each show which is counted towards high point tabulations
o Riders must pay a yearly fee (if any) determined by Piedmont PFHA
o Adults are 18 years old and over
o Youth are 17 years old and under
o Professionals are 18 years old and defined as pro per PFHA rulebook
o Horses must be PFHA registered
o Shows must be approved by Piedmont PFHA (before or within 10 days after show)
o It is the responsibility of each rider to turn in his/her class/show placement sheet to the Open Competition award program manager for tabulation

Points

o Points will be awarded to the rider, regardless of which Paso Fino is ridden
o Points will only be awarded for shows approved by Piedmont PFHA (before or within 10 days after show)
o Points will be a simple total of individual class scores
o Points will accumulate from September 1 through August 31 for each competition year
o Points will be given for any class a rider has been placed in, whether an open class or an all-Paso Fino class (includes equitation, trail, versatility, pleasure, rail, etc)
o Points will not be awarded for any show or class which awards regular points from the national association (those horses compete in the regular Piedmont high point system)
o Points will be awarded as follows:
First place = 6 pts, 2nd = 5 pts, 3rd = 4 pts, 4th = 3pts, 5th = 2 pts, 6th = 1 pt
Championship points will count double
Paso Fino Fun shows hosted by Piedmont PFHA members will count double

Awards

o Year end high point awards will be given to the individuals with the top six point scores for the competition year
o Awards will be given in three categories: Adult, Youth, and Professional
o Awards will be given out at the annual Piedmont PFHA Awards Banquet

Eligible Shows (fun shows are double points)

• Southern Horse Festival
  Hunt Horse Complex, Raleigh, NC -- Gaited Horse Classes on Sunday
  First weekend in December
  Sammy Jenkins: (919) 201-3606; www.southernhorsefestival.com
• Heritage Farm Fun Show
  Lexington, North Carolina
  Milda Minter: (336) 764-4785; mpminter60@aol.com
• Spartanburg Horseman’s Association
  Camp Croft State Park, Spartanburg, SC 29302 -- 2 Paso Fino Classes + Open Classes
  3rd Saturday every month - February thru November
  Website: www.shahorseshows.com
• Gaston County Horseman’s Association
  Biggerstaff Park, Dallas, NC
  Last Saturday in April, June and August
  Dr. Ann Furr: (704) 279-7414; drfurr@alltel.net
• East Coast Open Show Circuit
  Eastern Agricultural Center, Williamston, NC-- 2-Day All-Breed Fun Shows
  Dates to be announced
  Website: www.eastcoasthorses.com
• Etowah Riding Club
  Turnpike Road, Etowah, NC
  Tracie Mitchell (828) 692-0096
• Union County Saddle Club Open Horse Shows
  East Sandy Ridge Rd, Off Highway 207, Monroe, NC
  Cindy Moser (704) 291-0196 or Vicki Lawton (704) 243-2126 www.unioncountysaddleclub.com
• Lincoln County Horsemen’s Association
  Ponderosa Show Grounds, Lincolnton, NC Contact Cindy Kincaid: (704) 747-7755 or email divineequinestables@yahoo.com. www.lincolncountyhorsemensassociation.org

Jeanne Griggs will be gathering info on Open Horse Show Schedules in the Piedmont region to promote Paso Finos amongst other breeds of horse owners. If you have an Open All-Breed Horse Show/Circuit you would like to be included, contact Jeanne Griggs at (864)489-9397 work or (864)490-5339 home or email jeannegriggs@bellsouth.net.

Southern Horse Festival NC Championship Open Horse Show is in December
There will be an Open Horse Show to be held at the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, NC during the Southern Horse Festival. There are classes offered for gaited horses. For a list of the Non-Trotting Classes go to www.southernhorsefestival.com.

Spartanburg Horsemen’s Association All-Breed Horse Shows
The Spartanburg Horsemen’s Assoc is a non-profit all-breed organization that is having shows at Croft Park in Spartanburg, SC, shows. Paso Finos are welcome in EVERY class and each person is instructed to dress appropriate for their breed. More detailed information and class sheets can be found at www.shahorseshows.com or call Jeanne Griggs at (864)489-9397 (work) or (864)490-5339 (home) or email Jeanne Griggs.

The East Coast Open Horse Show Circuit offers Non-Trotting Classes just for Paso Finos and Peruvian Pasos. The other gaited breeds would enter in the Racking classes. Check out their web site for more info... East Coast Open Horse Show Circuit is held at the Bob Martin Eastern North Carolina Agricultural Center and offers year end awards. Contact info is Trish Andrews at 252-799-0334 or email sitrish123@earthlink.net.

Johnston County Horse Show Series
The Johnston County Horse Show Series offers a friendly and competitive atmosphere to riders of all ages and experience. The show is held at the Johnston County Livestock Arena in Smithfield, North Carolina starting at 9:00 am. A negative Coggins test is required and will be checked. Concessions are available at the show grounds. Cost per class is $7. Raindates for all shows are the following day on Sunday. Membership is available for those who are interested in competing for year end awards. Contact Michele McLaughlin for more information 919-934-1344 or email sileeno@ipass.net.

Directions from Raleigh: Take I-40 east to exit 319 McGees Xroads and turn left onton Highway 210. Go approx. 9 miles and turn left at sign that says Livestock Arena. About ¼ mile the show arena will be on right

Directions from Fayetteville – Take I-95 North to Highway 40 West going towards Raleigh. Take exit 319 McGees Xroads and turn right on to Highway 210. Go approx. 9 miles and turn left at sign that says Livestock Arena. About ¼ mile the show arena will be on right.

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