Piedmont Paso Fino Riders

Updated February 1, 2009

President’s Message
Since agreeing to run for President and being elected at the meeting on November 15, 2008, I have had many different emotions and thoughts about our Association and, as many of the new officers would be able to tell you, many conversations on things I see that need to be addressed in the coming months. I feel strongly that all members should have input into how our Association functions and feel free to express ideas, comments and/or criticisms about things they would like to see accomplished within our Association. Any ideas, comments, criticisms can be forwarded to me at Aliwcasey@aol.com. I will then bring it before the appropriate committee. I would always prefer to have it in writing, but please feel free to call me at A/C 919-556-6610. After 6 p.m. is the best time to reach me. Remember if you have an idea, please think of a way to implement it, if you have a comment, please make sure we are aware of it, if you have a criticism, please think of a way to help solve the problem.

Many of the problems that are facing our Association, are the same ones everyone is facing in today’s world. We need to think of ways to raise money, build our membership, get more members involved and work more efficiently. I would like for all of us when we sell a horse to a new member to immediately make sure they know that we will give them a 1 year membership to the Piedmont free. The form for this is in the Password, but not many of us take the trouble to print it off and follow thru. This can be a very effective way of growing our membership.

We have a great group of youth riders in our association, and we should all try to find more ways of supporting the youth, because they are the officers and directors of tomorrow. I am open to suggestions from any of you on ways to do this. We have a tremendous number of amateur owners, I am one myself. We need to encourage all of our amateurs to participate in clinics, trail rides and shows. I would like for us to have a great silent auction at each of our shows. We all have items that we can donate. I would like for us to have a booth for "used tack" for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to the Association. We all would like to buy new tack, but have things we need to sell first. Our tack vendors should not have a problem with this since we would be buying new when we sell the old. This would enable someone who is just getting into Pasos to have an opportunity to purchase tack at a reasonable price.

Well, I guess this is enough of my ideas at this time. Remember, we are only as strong and effective as our members are. Please take the time to get involved, think of new ideas, make comments or criticisms. I promise you that you will be heard and issues will be discussed. Thank you.

Ali Watts Casey
Piedmont PFHA President
Aliwcasey@aol.com
ph. 919-556-6610 (after 6pm)

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New 2009 Piedmont Officers and Directors

President: Ali Casey
Vice-President: Shaw Laney
Treasurer: Joe Wilhelm
Secretary: Sandy Goldenberg
Directors: Fred Newcomb, Rita Magaha, Lori West

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2009 Piedmont and Equine Events

Piedmont Board of Directors Meeting is January 3rd
Contact the new Piedmont President Ali Casey, an officer or director with information regarding Piedmont activities. See the President's message above.

North Carolina Horse Council Annual Meeting is January 7th
To that end, we would like to remind and invite you all to attend the North Carolina Horse Council annual membership meeting for 2009 to be held on Wednesday evening, January 7, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, NC.

This is our regularly scheduled first Board of Directors meeting for 2009 as well. As always, the Board of Directors meetings are open to the public, so we invite everyone to come and bring your friends! Do remember, however, that we will be holding elections this evening as well and to be able to vote you must be a member of the N. C. Horse Council.

We would like to thank all of the NCHC members and supporters for their efforts to make 2008 a success for horses and horse owners in North Carolina. We have worked hard and accomplished much, but 2009 is looming large and promises to be another year where we will need to focus our efforts once again for the benefit of the horse industry in North Carolina!

NC State Fair Advisory Meeting is January 14th
North Carolina State Fair Advisory commitee members Ali Casey, Lynn Gallup and Fred Moretti will meet at the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh to discuss the October 2009 NC State Fair Paso Fino Horse Show. Topics will include classes, schedules, judges, and fair survey results and comments. Send your commnets if not already to Lynn Gallup or Ali Casey by January 13th.

PFHA Annual Membership Convention & BOD Meeting is January 22nd - 24th
The 2009 PFHA Board of Directors Meeting & Membership Convention is taking place on January 22nd through the 24th, 2009 at the Four Points by Sheraton Orlando City Hotel, located at 5905 International Drive in Orlando, FL 32819. Rates are available for $110 per night plus tax, and that is for single or double beds. Reservations can be made at the reduced rate no later that January 9th, 2009. For additional information, contact the PFHA office at (813) 719-7777 or by email at recept@pfha.org. Visit www.pfha.org for more info.

New PFHA Executive Committee Elections
for the officers will be held at the 2009 Membership Convention. The candidates' names and the office they are running for are:

PFHA President: Edward Smith III
PFHA Vice President: Charles (Chuck) Rechtenbach, Mat Glover, Edith (Edie) Gandy
PFHA Secretary: Sue Niebling, Gay Culverhouse
PFHA Treasurer: Peggy Tanner, Rosanne Gmuer

Read the PFHA candidate biographies -- click here (PDF).

PFHA Stallion Breeding Reports' deadline is January 31st
Breeding Reports must be turned in to the PFHA office no later than January 31st, 2009. You can also fill out your stallion's breeding report online electronically at www.pfha.org; log in as a member, go to the Members menu at the top of the PFHA website and select Registrations, then Stallion Breeding Reports. You will need your membership and pin number in order to access the electronic breeding report online. If you have any questions you can contact the Registration Department at the PFHA office at (813) 719-7777.

PFHA Judges & Stewards Clinic is February 13th-15th
The Judges and Stewards Clinic will be taking place on February 13th - 15th, 2009 at The Hilton Ocala, in Ocala, FL.HOTEL: The Hilton Ocala 3600 36th Ave Ocala, FL (352) 854-1400.

Fantasia Farms Fun Day and ALS Fundraiser is April 4th
I am so thankful that we have been able to put this wonderful fundraiser together, every year it gets better and better and I'd like to thank all of you for all your help in making that happen. I look forward to working beside you again in our fight to find a cure for ALS. As you all well know, our fundraiser is always in honor of our dear friend Jimmy Mastranunzio and his family...and all proceeds go to "the Catfish Hunter Chapter" of the ALS Association.

We will have Equestrian Exhibitions, Hay Rides, Pony Rides, Food and Refreshments, Raffle. I will need all of you again to help make this day a success, please let me know if you can help in any way, as soon as possible...we have to start planning now to make the day a success. Ideas and suggestions are appreciated! Contact Lauri Pistolis at fantasiafarm@comporium.net or call 704-619-5677.

Lauri Pistolis

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Deepest Sympathies go out to the Casagrande Family
Tony Casagrande, a long time Piedmont member and friend to many, passed away on November 27th. Tony was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and an active Paso Fino breeder and exhibitor. He enjoyed his horses and proudly showed them at the Piedmont regional shows and Nationals making many Paso Fino friends through the years. Tony will be deeply missed by our association. A memorial service was held December 1st to celebrate his 74 years of life. Memorials may be made to Christ's Lutheran Church, 203 S. Main St., Stanley, NC 28164. The Casagrande Family address is: 1274 Blacksnake Rd., Stanley, NC 28164.

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Congratulations to these Piedmont 2008 High Point Award Winners
NOTE: HORSE'S EXHIBITOR & OWNER LISTED

BELLA FORMA FILLIES YEARLINGS: Milagrosa de Pinnacle
MINTER, CHARLES JR & WILHEM, JOSEPH A.

BELLA FORMA FILLIES 2 YR OLDS: Coloso's Ruby
TILLEY, ALAN DWAYNE & CAROL DENISE

BELLA FORMA FILLIES 3 YR OLDS: Coloso's Mia
TILLEY, ALAN DWAYNE & CAROL DENISE

BELLA FORMA MARES: La Luz del Escondite
MINTER, MILDA P & FOX, VALERIE B

BELLA FORMA COLTS YEARLINGS: Gabriel Centellas
FIGUEROA, PAT & SPARKS, BRENDA

BELLA FORMA COLTS 2 YR OLDS: Lucero de Magico
BURNETT, JOEY & BIGGS, PAUL & JOANN

BELLA FORMA COLTS 3 YR OLDS: El Mensajero Bravo
MINTER, CHARLES SR & BONNIE

BELLA FORMA STALLIONS: Caballero Dominante FI
LANEY, SHAW; MERCER, PAUL; SAUER, LARRY; & LANEY, BRANDY

BELLA FORMA GELDINGS 2 YR OLDS: Marcopunto El Tercero
LADD, L. JANET

BELLA FORMA GELDINGS 3 YR OLDS: Virtuoso Ltd.
RATLIFF, ROBIN & HITCHCOCK, DANEEN

BELLA FORMA GELDINGS: Promiso de Riviera
MINTER, MILDA & FRANCIS, WILLIAM

FINO AMATEUR OWNER FILLIES - 4 YEAR OLD: La Luz del Escondite
FOX, VALERIE B. & MINTER, MILDA

CLASSIC FINO AMATEUR OWNER MARES: La Esquisita de LM
DAVIS, ROBBIE

CLASSIC FINO AMATEUR OWNER STALLION: Espartano de Prometido
LANEY, BRANDY & KLUNGLE, ARLEEN

CLASSIC FINO SCHOOLING FILLY 3 YEAR: Dulzaina de Blake-Cliff
IRIARTE, ALVARO & BLAKE-CLIFF ENTERPRISES, INC.

CLASSIC FINO SCHOOLING FILLY 4: La Luz del Escondite
MINTER, MILDA & FOX, VALERIE

CLASSIC FINO MARES: Manantial de La Postal
FIGUEROA, PAT & LONG, ROBERT

CLASSIC FINO STALLIONS: El Coraje de Prometido
LANEY, SHAW; WILLIAMS, CHARLTON JR. & WILLIAMS, KIRKLAND

CLASSIC FINO JUNIOR YOUTH: CHRISTOPHER FURR

CLASSIC FINO JUNIOR YOUTH: CHRISTINA MINTER

PERFORMANCE AMATEUR OWNER FILLIES - 4 YR OLD: La Licenciada del Caron
CARRINGTON, DEBORAH

PERFORMANCE AMATEUR OWNER MARES: La Conga
CROSSMAN, ANN & STEVEN

PERFORMANCE AMATEUR OWNER STALLION: El Leader de United
DOTSON, JERRY & ANGELA

PERFORMANCE AMATEUR OWNER GELDINGS: Rene del Veloz
KENNERLY, DEBRA

PERFORMANCE SCHOOLING FILLIES 3 YR OLD: Feira de Flat Rock
QUESADA, JUAN CARLOS & CASEY, ALI WATTS

PERFORMANCE SCHOOLING FILLIES 4 YR OLD: La Licenciada del Caron
LANEY, SHAW & CARRINGTON, DEBORAH

PERFORMANCE MARES: La Capitana de Evensong
LANEY, SHAW; & CROSSMAN, STEVEN

PERFORMANCE SCHOOLING COLTS 4 YRS OLD: Lujoso del Caron
LANIER, JOHNNY & DEBENEDETTI, STAIGE

PERFORMANCE STALLIONS: Caballero Dominante FI
LANEY, SHAW; MERCER, PAUL; SAUER, LARRY & LANEY, BRANDY

PERFORMANCE SCHOOLING GELDINGS 3 YRS OLD: Virtuoso Ltd.
RATLIFF, ROBIN DALE & HITCHCOCK, DANEEN

PERFORMANCE GELDINGS: Fuego de Zafiro
MARLOWE, PAUL & HAYWOOD, DR KATHY

PERFORMANCE JUNIOR YOUTH: Christina Minter

PLEASURE AMATEUR OWNERS FILLIES 3 YR OLD: Coloso's Mia
TILLEY, ALAN DWAYNE & CAROL

PLEASURE AMATEUR OWNERS FILLIES 4 YR OLD: La Licenciada del Caron
CARRINGTON, DEBORAH

PLEASURE AMATEUR OWNER MARES: Coloso's Luciana del Eco
WEST, LORI & GREGORY

PLEASURE AMATEUR OWNER MARES: Coloso's Musica PM
SAUER, LARRY & MERCER, PAUL E, LANEY, BRANDY

PLEASURE A/O SCH COLTS 3 YRS: Zafiro de Paloma
FURR, CHRISTOPHER & FURR, ANN R DR.

PLEASURE A/O SCH COLTS 4 YRS: Corsair Centellas
HUGHES, APRIL D.

PLEASURE AMATEUR OWNER STALLION: Botero del Cedro
GREGORY-KERNS; JUDITH & LANEY, SHAW

PLEASURE A/O SCH GELDINGS 3 YR OLD: Vaquero de Eco
WEST, LORI & GREGORY

PLEASURE A/O SCH GELDINGS 4 YR OLD: El Grande de Santon GG
GREGORY-KERNS, JUDITH

PLEASURE AMATEUR OWNER GELDING: Rene del Veloz
KENNERLY, DEBRA G.

PLEASURE SCHOOL FILLIES 3 YRS OLD: Coloso's Mia
MARLOWE, PAUL; TILLEY, CAROL DENISE & ALAN DWAYNE

PLEASURE SCHOOL FILLIES 3 YRS OLD: La Guenevere de Pinnacle
MINTER, MILDA & WILHEM, JOSEPH

PLEASURE SCHOOL FILLIES 4 YR OLD: Coloso's Marquesa
LANEY, SHAW; MERCER, PAUL E.; SAUER, LARRY; LANEY, BRANDY

PLEASURE MARES: Amistad del Escondite
MINTER, MILDA P & FOX, VALERIE B.

PLEASURE SCHOOLING COLTS 4 YRS OLD: Amadeus Centellas
FIGUEROA, PAT & SPARKS, BRENDA

PLEASURE STALLIONS: Caballero Dominante FI
LANEY, SHAW; MERCER, PAUL E; SAUER, LARRY; LANEY, BRANDY D.

PLEASURE SCHOOLING GELDINGS 3 YRS OLD: Vaquero de Eco
FIGUEROA, PAT T & WEST, GREGORY & LORI

PLEASURE SCHOOLING GELDINGS 4 YRS OLD: Trigal de Valparaiso
PRIMUS, NELSON; CARRINGTON, JOHN & DEBORAH

PLEASURE GELDINGS: Joropo de Perfección
WILLIAMS, BRITTAIN L & SHIPMAN, GARRIN

PLEASURE SUB-JUNIOR YOUTH: Garrin Shipman

PLEASURE JUNIOR YOUTH: Brett Alred, Jr.

EQUITATION SUB-JR LEVEL I (7-9): Micah Furr

EQUITATION SUB-JR LEVEL II (10-12): Jennifer Orr

EQUITATION JR YOUTH (13-17): Christina Minter

HORSEMANSHIP:SUB-JR YOUTH (7-9): Micah Furr

HORSEMANSHIP:SUB-JR II (10-12): Jennifer Orr

HORSEMANSHIP:YOUTH JR (13-17): Brett Alred, Jr.

COSTUME: Brett Alred, Jr.

PASO COUNTRY PLEASURE: Rockwater San Antonio
WOODALL, MARY BETH

TRAIL: Sundancers Sancho de Vez
OGLESBY, JANETTE & ROBERT DVM

WESTERN PLEASURE: Sundancers Sancho de Vez
BURNETT, JOEY & OGLESBY, JANETTE & ROBERT DVM

OVERALL HIGH POINT MARE: La Luz del Escondite
FOX, VALERIE B. & MINTER, MILDA

OVERALL HIGH POINT STALLION: Caballero Dominante FI
LANEY, SHAW; MERCER, PAUL E.; SAUER, LARRY; LANEY, BRANDY

OVERALL HIGH POINT GELDING: Rene del Veloz
KENNERLY, DEBRA G.

OVERALL HIGH POINT HORSE: La Luz del Escondite
FOX, VALERIE B. & MINTER, MILDA P.

OVERALL HIGH POINT AMATEUR OWNER: Ann Crossman

OVERALL HIGH POINT SUB-JUNIOR: Micah Furr

OVERALL HIGH POINT JUNIOR:

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Stallion Auction info

2008 Piedmont Classic Stallion Service Auction
Stallion Name	Owner	Min. Bid
Decreto de La Luisa	United Paso Fino Show Horses	$750
Delirio de Valparaiso	Valparaiso Paso Fino	$1,250
Destello de La Divina	Hacienda La Divina	$1,000
Davinci de Los Reyes	John & Myra King	$1,000
El Turista	Cindy Griffeth	$750
Nostradamus	Ana Dumois	$750
Prometido de Selecta	Rosanne Gmuer	$1,000
Reflejo de LM	Dwight Graber	$750
Royal Oak Ricochet	Rick & Janice Meyer	$750
Retorno De LM	Hacienda Las Margaritas	$1,250
Springtime Radiante	United Paso Fino Show Horses	$750
Veneno de la Clara	El Tomaria Farm	$750
Yumuri de Kanm	Ana Dumois	$750

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.

2009 Piedmont PFHA membership dues
NOTE: here is a new Lifetime Membership for Piedmont PFHA on the membership form.
Here is a 2008-2009 printable size new Piedmont membership form online you can print and mail in. 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). 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.

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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.

2009 Piedmont Futurity Update
The Piedmont Futurity continues to grow. See the 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 Pathfinder's Program
The new year has started with trail riding your Paso Finos, 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 Joe Wilhelm, 1285 Stoney Ridge Rd., Pinnacle, NC 27043.

Piedmont High Point Awards
Good Luck to everyone and wishing you a successful, fun show season.

2009 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:
Geldings - March 2 & March 28, 2009

Visit www.pfha.org for more information.

NEW From The Trail for '09
Despite high gas prices we still had a successful year. I'm currently working on next year's schedule which will include two new rides. Croft Park in August and Morrow Mountain in Albemarle, date to be determined. It has been quite some time since we have ridden both of these places. Hopefully, more of our SC members can join these rides. I am thankful for Jeannie Griggs and Ann Furr for volunteering to help with these upcoming rides.

Plans include adding the New River Trail, Glax, VA and we will include our old favorites Blowing Rock, DuPont and Sandhills. For those in the eastern part of the state we plan to add Staunton River in South Boston, VA. I would like to thank all the people who made our trails successful. David & Dixie DeLozier for their joint efforts in our combined GA & Piedmont Region ride at DuPont. Brian and Jill Smith for again being our gracious host at Blowing Rock and Blake Cliff Stables, Maiden, NC John McKee, Jamie Sarmiento & Leonor Iriarte for hosting a beautiful October ride in conjunction with their annual ride. If you know of a trail in your area you would like to see us ride, or would like to help lead a ride, please contact me and I will come and scout the trail. Our trail calendar usually includes a ride for each month March through October.

Happy Trails!
Candace Link
336-413-5204
pasolink@yadtel.net.

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 for 2009 dues if you haven't already paid them. 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 2009
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, 7613 Old Hwy. 19, Columbus, NC 28722 or email to lorihwest@yahoo.com. Lori's new phone/fax is 828-894-2905 .

Piedmont Password Deadlines
Email or send your Password news to Bill Kerns, 291 Dark Horse Lane, Tryon, NC 28782, phone: 828-859-5456 or email greengaitfarm@yahoo.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.

NEW 2009 Piedmont Youth Survey
Dear Parents of Piedmont Paso Fino Horse Association Youth members,

We would like for you to participate in our Piedmont Youth Survey.

At the Piedmont Paso Fino Association annual meeting and banquet, the idea of Youth Championship Classes was brought up. After some discussion, the members decided that it would be best to put this discussion to the parents of the youth by way of a survey. Two Piedmont members have already stepped forward and volunteered to sponsor three Championship classes. Now it is up to the parents of the youth to see if there is interest in these classes. Because time is limited at both our Clemson and Asheville show, it needs to be decided which of the two shows would have enough participation for these classes. Additional concerns have been brought up in reference to the younger riders riding in classes with older youths and hotter horses. The Youth Championship classes would be opened to all youths from the age of 7 to 18 that finishes their regular class regardless of placement. We were informed at the meeting that only the Championship classes in Asheville will be the cash pay backs. Please just type in your reply and return this survey.

Thank you for taking the time to participation in this survey.

1) Would you support a Youth Championship class by entering your child and horse?

2) What is the age of your youth rider?

3) Which Youth Championship classes would your child ride in?

4) Which show?

5) Instead of Championship classes, would your youth be interested in any other youth classes. (Example: youth trail, youth western pleasure and youth country pleasure) Please list.

Please list any concerns you might have.

In the past class sponsorship for Clemson has been $25.00 per class. Class sponsorship for Asheville has been $30.00 for one class, $50.00 for two and Championship classes $100.00. The Youth Championship survey committee feels that it is important to show the membership and the board that as parents of the youth, we are willing to step up and sponsor our own.

6) Would you sponsor a regular class or a championship class?

7) At which location.

Your Name:

Copy and paste in a word document and email your responses to Jeannie Griggs or Dr. Ann Furr.

Piedmont Open Circuit Horse Show Program

NEW The fun Open Horse Shows for 2009 have started early
...there is one on this Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 at the Ponderosa starting at 10am (See www.lincolncountyhorsemensassociation.org) and another show the first sat. in Feb. starting at 10am. The Ponderosa is a nice facility, with friendly folks and excellent food at the concession stand. Wayne Washburn has built a portable fino board and the folks at the Ponderosa just love it when we bring it with us.

I want to encourage everybody in Piedmont to participate at the fun shows this coming new year. Wayne and I go to about 20 shows from February through November. I quess we are fun show junkies, usually at the shows we are the minority but people always aproach us and ask all kinds of questions and truelly facinated by our Pasos. It's a good marketing tool and don't you know I just love competing with other gaited breeds and usually placing in the top 3. This past August, there was a 4H Fun Show in Gaston County, I made it into the championship class; there were 10 walking horses and me on my 23yr. old gelding, I placed 2nd, I was really suprised because I felt so out numbered, but he did a great job. So for all the novices out there and folks who want their horse to get ring experience or just to have some fun with their Paso. Please, please come to the fun shows.

Karen Washburn
2009 Open Horse Show Points Tracker
karensarisca@yahoo.com

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 the new 2009 Open Horse Show Points Tracker Karen Washburn. You will receive points for any and all classes you place in at approved shows. Please send your Open Show reports in to Karen Washburn as soon as you complete them, so she can keep on top of recording those points! Send to: Karen Washburn, 1550 6th St. SE, Hickory, NC 28602.

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

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

Jeannie 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 Jeannie Griggs at (864)489-9397 work or (864)490-5339 home or email jeannegriggs@att.net.

Open Show at Biggerstaff Park in Dallas, NC, known as the Triple Challenge are April, June and September. 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 -- 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. -- 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.

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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