From The Piedmont President
Happy New Year to all!!
The Piedmont BOD and many volunteers have already been busy planning for you. Check the events calendar for all the upcoming shows, clinics, trail rides and open shows. There will be many fun things to do with warmer weather around the corner. It will be here soon!

The Larry Whitesell clinic to be held at Chetola Farms is almost full for participates who want to ride. We had originally limited it to 15 riders, but with the response we have had we opened it up for 20 total riders. There will be an extra instructor available at the clinic to help. There is still plenty of room for auditors. Larry assures me that there will be many opportunities for the auditors to participate and ask questions. There will be other breeds participating in this clinic, so we hope this will be an excellent opportunity for exposing outside horse lovers to our wonderful Paso Finos.

Please let us know if you plan to attend, as lunch on Saturday is sponsored by Fort Dodge and dinner will be sponsored by Southern States. We need to have a head count for these meals. You will not want to miss this much anticipated clinic! Larry has been met with WONDERFUL reviews from his other clinics. Clinton Anderson spent two weeks at Larry's so that he could become acquainted with gaited horses before he filmed his gaited horse DVD. SO, even the pros choose Larry to learn!

Attention Gaited Clinic Update -- 2/4/07:
Hello to all! Just a quick reminder that the Piedmont PFHA clinic, Natural Gaited Horsemanship with Larry Whitesell is February 10 and 11 at Chetola Farm in Monroe. Larry's main focus of the weekend will be "Collection". We have had one cancellation, so there is ONE rider spot available. So if you were hesitating, please call Kathy Williams ASAP to reserve this spot (704) 764-8253 We will accept additional riders and place them on a waiting list. We will call you if we have a cancellation.

We have a wonderful line up of sponsors for lunch and dinner on Saturday with interesting topics to share. Fort Dodge Representative, Brandon Tucker will present a Horse Health Update at lunch on Saturday, and Meredith Mills of Southern States will speak at the fish fry on Saturday night on Good Carbs, Bad Carbs: Your Horse Knows the Difference, Do You?. Plus, Doug Ford will be there from Casa Dosa to provide a nice opportunity to buy that tack you need! Great opportunity to refresh the tack before the 'heavy training' starts with the warmer weather!
We need a head count for meals, so please email Kathy Williams at chetola@aol.com or call her at (704) 764-8253 if you plan to attend or for more information. We'd love to have a great turnout and you won't want to miss this special learning event! Hope to see you there!!!
Robbie

We will have a clinic only for Paso Finos on March 17th and 18th at Shaw and Brandy Laney's new farm, Cedar Lane Stables in Enoree, SC. Shaw has a wonderful line up of the BEST trainers in Paso Finos....our own Piedmont trainers! These clinics are always well attended and offer the most up-to-date training advice from experienced, award winning trainers. Shaw and Brandy are hosting an Open House Friday before the clinic, so come make a weekend of Paso Fino fun!

The National BOD meeting was in New Orleans January 19th and 20th. Elections for the national officers were held. Congratulations go to; Robin Ratliff for a second term as President, Ed Smith as Vice President, Sue Niebling as Secretary and Rosanne Gmuer as Treasurer. We welcome their leadership for the next two years and anticipate GREAT things from them!

I welcome your comments and suggestions for Piedmont. PLEASE let me hear from your - (704) 895-4071 or email: ElPorvenir@aol.com.

I plan on putting together information and emailing those that we have email addresses recorded. Please add these to your renewal form, so that we may stay in touch with you on a regular basis.
Look forward seeing you involved in 2007!
Robbie Davis

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Larry Whitesell Gaited Horsemanship Clinic is February 10th & 11th
Learn to get your gaited horse to: gait better, turn and stop, have speed control, solve problems, help with collection, and gait on a lighter rein. The clinician will be Larry Whitesell, and the clinic location will be at Chetola Farms in Monroe, NC. Contact Robbie Davis at 704-895-4071 or email elporvenir@aol.com.

NC State’s Equine Medicine Symposium is Sunday, February 25th, 2007
Our 23rd Annual Equine Medicine Symposium will be held at the College in February. Sunday, February 25th is dedicated to educating horse owners. This is North Carolina’s ONLY purely equine health-focused educational program and it’s designed just for you.

You’ll have an opportunity to learn about the latest in horse health care, including:

• Developing an action plan for colic before it strikes
• Pain management for colic and lameness
• Eye problems: first aid and new treatments
• Body condition scoring
• Endocrine problems including Cushing’s Disease and metabolic disease
• The best nutrition for the specific needs of your horse

You’ll also learn about NCSU’s involvement in the development of new and exciting equine treatments. Throughout the day, various equine company representatives will be on hand with exhibits ready to discuss their products and services.

Visit for full details www.EquineMedicineSymposium.

Piedmont PFHA Membership Meeting is March 17th
Cedar Lane Farm, Enoree, SC
The first meeting of the 2007 year will be at Cedar Lane Farm in Enoree, SC at 1 pm. This is Shaw and Brandy Laney's farm. There will be an open house on Friday before the clinic on Saturday and Sunday. The clinic will be taught by Piedmont trainers and you know that we have the BEST! The meeting will be held at 1 pm after a lunch being sponsored by Livestock Mutual, Penny Rose, of Littleton, NC. If you plan to come for lunch, please contact Shaw at (864) 969-4929 Come make a weekend of FUN!

Piedmont Spring Training Clinic is March 17th - 18th
Cedar Lane Stable in Enoree, SC is hosting a Spring Paso Fino Training Clinic on March 17th-18th. Get tuned up for the 2007 show season with several top Piedmont trainers. Topics include gaiting problems, flexibilty, equitation, farrier work, Cantering, Showing the Bellas Formas horse.

Piedmont members for the weekend fee is Adults - $50; Adults Daily -$30 & Youth - $10; Additional $35 w/horse. Non-members Adults - $60/$40; Youth - $15; additional $45 with horse. Limited to 10 horses.

RSVP by March 5th to Shaw Laney; 864-969-4929 or 864-706-8030. Motel: Comfort Inn 864-833-5558. Lunch provided on Saturday by Penny Rose of Livestock Mutual. See flyer in the Jan/Feb. 2007 Password.

Heritage Farm Fun Show is April 14th
The fifth annual Heritage Farm Fun Show will be held at Heritage Farm in Lexington, NC, on Saturday, April 14. We will have a full schedule of classes for Paso Fino owners, including some "color" classes, novice/amateur/youth classes, and many open classes which any breed horse can enter. This will be a great warm-up show since it is two weeks before the Piedmont Clemson show.

We will be raffling a black two-year-old gelding named Villano de Herencia, a son of 2006 National Champion Pleasure Stallion Asesino de Herencia. Tickets are available for $5 each or 5 tickets for $20.
Class sponsorships are available at $25 per class. Entry fees are $10 per class. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Center United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall fund. Look for the class schedule in the March issue of the Password. We hope to see you there!! Milda Minter

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PFHA Board of Directors Meeting and Membership Convention Report
New Orleans, LA -- Jan 19-20, 2006

Committee Reports:

Amateur Owner - Chair - Lauren Conde: Out of a motion made by the A/O committee it was determined that we need a committee to represent the non-show horses. It was voted to appoint Kelly Ireland for an exploration committee to investigate ways to recognize recreational riders.

Communications - Chair - Lynn Gallup: It was requested that regions designate someone to help solicit to write articles for the Paso Horse World that have educational aspect and would appeal to a broad -spectrum of readers. The 2007 themes: Breeding, Health, Marketing, Show, Specialty, Tack, Trail, Training, Versatility, Breed History, Farms, Human Interest, General Breed, Personalities. If you have always wanted to write for a magazine, give your hand at one of these topics. Call Lynn Gallup and she will be happy to help.

Computer - Chair - Keith Hainline: The on-line show entry program is now available to the regions. There was a demonstration of the program at the meeting. It is still not quite ready for prime time and needs to be coordinated with the Show Secretaries for each show.

CONFEPASO & Mundial - Chair - Dr Jose Laracuente: CONFEPASO held a meeting in Bogotá, Colombia and suspended 30 judges who did not attend (14 from Puerto Rico, 6 from Colombia, 1 from Venezuela, 1 from Dominican Republic and 10 for USA) They are suspended until October of 2007. The decision is being appealed and will be discussed at the next meeting in Panama in March.

The dates for the Mundial have been moved to November 7-11, 2007 to avoid the Georgia/Florida game that had snapped up all the hotel rooms. It will be held in Jacksonville, FL at the Jacksonville Equitation Facility. PFHA has budgeted $375,000 for the show to be managed by the PFHA staff. The expense is expected to be $315,000 with revenue being $375,000. CONFEPASO received 50% of all entry fees. The schedule has been cut from 5 days to 4 1/2 days and will include Pleasure, Performance and Amateur Owner classes. The committee is requesting a permit to allow piroplasmosis horses to be able to compete. There had been an allowance for horses competing in the Olympics. Volunteers are needed to help in all aspects of the show.

Education & Clinic - Chair-Dr Jose Laracuente:A Judges and Stewards clinic is scheduled for February 2-4, 2007 in Ocala, FL. The Peer Review form and protocol has been finalized. It will be done at random. There have been seven PFHA officials appointed and accepted as peer reviewers. They will be looking for behavior, dress, enforcement of rules, consistency of judging, knowledge of gait, etc. They will not be commenting on 'how horses are placed'

Events - Chair-Milda Minter: There is a short fall of $34,000 in the budget for 2007. The $15 fee for Amateur Owner and $100 for professionals at shows was a way to raise fees to cover the budget. It would only affect 20% of the membership, the ones that show. 67% of the labor of the PFHA staff goes to shows and that is where they thought fees should be raised. The Board has voted to support the Futurity classes with $60,000. It was discussed that the fees hurt the occasional recreational rider that wants to show, maybe one show. It was also pointed out that fees cannot be raised on Lifetime members. The BOD voted to rescind the fees by 95%

The name High Point Versatility Award for Nationals has been changed to the High Point Specialty Award to reflect all the classes it covers - Driving, Versatility, Western Pleasure and Trail. There was a four way tie at Nationals for this award. There was a proposal to break a tie incase it occurs in the future. The following methods will be used:

1.) The horse that places in the most classes
2.) in head-to-head competition, the horse that places over the other tied horse(s) the most times.
3.) The horse that completes the most classes without disqualification
4.) The horse with the most first places
5.) the horse with the highest placements by judges cards (line up all the placements from each judge, not just the results in the classes, and apply the MOS system)
6.) The horse that places the highest in the designated tie-breaking class will win the award. The tie breaking class will be determined in alphabetical order, starting with the Driving class in 2007, then rotate to the next class each year. If both (all) horses tied do not compete in the chosen class, classes will be considered alphabetically until a class id found where the tied horses compete with each other.

Paso Fino Horse Association Fabulous Three-year-old Futurity : Three new proposals were presented and voted on for the Futurity. The one that passed is a combination of a nomination system and a two year old sale. Use a nomination system to enroll horses into the Fabulous Futurity program which would use the following system:

* horses would be nominated from an early age in installment payments;* an owner could nominate any number of horses;* owners from all parts of the country could participate equally;* the class the horse will compete in will be declared or entered at the time of national show entry for the year the horse will show in the Fabulous Futurity, not before;* recommend that a Fabulous Futurity secretary be designated to keep track of all paperwork so it is not a burden to the office staff.* the Fabulous Futurity sale for two-year-olds will still be held and only horses who are nominated into the futurity as outlined above will be eligible for the sale;* the name of the sale will be changed to the Fabulous Futurity Select Sale to denote quality horses involved; * sale proceeds will be added to the futurity funds to supplement the income from nominations;* a list of futurity eligible horses would be generated to be handed out at the sale so potential bidders could see what horses are in the futurity program for that year;* 10% of the prize money won by a horse would be paid back to either the consignor (if that horse went through the auction) or to the nominator of the horse (if it did not go through auction).

Rules outlined as:

Divisions and How Shown: The Fabulous Three-year-old Futurity will be held every year in the following divisions: Fino, Performance, and Pleasure. Classes will be open to three-year-old fillies, colts, and geldings who have otherwise qualified for this program and been properly entered according to all stipulations and deadlines. These classes will be held each year at the PFHA Grand National Championship Show. Class rules will be followed as approved by the PFHA Board of Directors for the Fabulous Futurity classes.

Eligibility--horses: Any Paso Fino that is eligible for registration with the Paso Fino Horse Association is eligible to be nominated into the Fabulous Futurity program. If not yet registered at the time that the original nomination is received, a foal must be nominated under its birthdate, gender, and sire and dam names. There will be no refund of futurity monies already paid in the event that a registration is denied by the PFHA.

Eligibility--owners: All owners nominating horses into the Fabulous Futurity program must be PFHA members.

Registration: All nominated horses must be registered or the registration application must be received in the PFHA office by January 31 of the year following the foaling year in order to maintain eligibility. Pending applications and DNA testing must be received and completed by April 30 of the yearling year in order to maintain eligibility.

Identification: All nominated horses must be micro-chipped with the PFHA and these will be verified upon entry into the warm-up ring for the Fabulous Futurity classes. Any horse presented to the warm-up that does not match its microchip number will be disqualified.

Fee Schedule: Payment of fees to nominate and maintain eligibility in the Fabulous Futurity program and appropriate dates are listed below:

Age of Horse -- Fee -- Date Due (postmark)

Weanling year $ 75 November 1 of birth year

Yearling year $ 100 November 1 of yearling year

Two-year-old $ 125 May 1 of two-year-old year

Three-year-old $ 200 March 1 of three-year-old year

Three year-old/Declaration $ 100 August 1 for intent to show

There will be a grace period of 10 calendar days after payment due date. If payments are missed, there will be a double fee of each payment missed that must be paid to recover eligibility. The absolute final deadline to nominate into the program or to catch up on missed payments is July 1 of the two-year-old year. After that date no new horse nominations will be accepted. There will be a one-time fee accepted by July 1 of the two-year-old year of $1,500 for any horse who has not previously nominated into the program. After this fee is paid, all remaining fees must be paid for the horse to maintain eligibility.

Other than stipulated above, if any payments are missed for a specific horse, that horse will be dropped from the futurity program with no further obligation and will not be eligible to show in any of the Fabulous Futurity classes.

Payment of Fees: Payments may be made by check, money order, cashiers check, or credit card (those accepted by PFHA at time of payment). All payments will be made out to the PFHA and sent to the Fabulous Futurity secretary.

Liability: No entry is liable for more than the amount paid in, but there will be no return of payments made for any reason. All nominations and entries are subject to the rules and policies of the PFHA and this futurity program.

National Show Entry: All nominated horses must properly enter the Grand National Championship Show where the Fabulous Futurity classes are held and will be liable for following all rules and regulations of that show as per PFHA and USEF.

Prize Fund: the value of the prize fund of the Fabulous Futurity each year will be the total amount of money paid in fees, sponsorships, interest, and other added funds, less the administrative costs. Distribution of funds will be by policy set by the PFHA Board of Directors.

Disqualification: If any entry is disqualified by either PFHA or USEF from the Grand National Championship Show, then any prize money and awards won in any Fabulous Futurity class at that show will be forfeited and turned over to PFHA for redistribution.

Transfer of ownership: The nomination of a horse carries with it to a new owner. It is the responsibility of the seller to notify buyers of the payment due dates in order to maintain eligibility in the futurity program.

Any procedure, policy, or question not covered in these rules will be referred to the Fabulous Futurity program, the PFHA, or the PFHA Board of Directors for resolution. Payment options for the 2005 foals would be as follows: Payment options for the 2006 foals would be as follows:

By 7/1/07 $150 (only horses paid by this date could enter sale) By 7/1/07 $ 75 (would have been weanling payment)
By 11/1/07 $150 By 11/1/07 $100 (normal yearling payment)
By 3/1/08 $200 (regular three-year-old payment) By 5/1/08 $125 (normal two-year-old payment)
By 8/1/08 $100 (declaration) By 3/1/09 $200 (regular payment schedule)
By 8/1/09 $100 (declaration)

Executive Director Update - CJ Marcello: 2006 Nationals had 724 horses showing down from 2005 which had 752, and 2004 which had 822. The actual revenue was $554,676 vs. budgeted $617,805. Other facilities were checked for availability: Lexington, VA only had Thanksgiving week, or possibility of first or second week of December. Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, TX had the time period of July 30-August 12th open in different years. As of December 20, membership was down to 7,987 or down 2.2% from the same period in 2005. A total of $37,000 has been awarded in Youth Scholarships during the first two years of the program. The board voted for CJ to contract with Perry, GA for the 2010 Nationals.

Finance - Chair - Tony Coleman: Motion to accept fees for permits for embryo transfers was tabled and sent to the Rules Clarification committee. Motion to raise fees $2 per entry at regional show was rejected. There is a $34,000 deficit in the budget as proposed. Need to cut programs or increase revenue.

Futurity - Chair - Robbie Davis: The 2006 Stallion Service auction has sold 28 breedings worth $33,148 for prize money toward the 2009 Breeder's Sweepstakes classes. There are still many good stallion breedings left that may be purchased through February 2005.Geldings have been included in the Colts class starting in 2007.

Gelding - Chair - Steve Burgess: There is $26,637 in the Geldings for Gold and A/O Geldings for Gold account for prize money for 2007.

Judges and Stewards - Chair - Rick Meyer: The F1/F2 judging system will be used at the 2007 PFHA Nationals. It is the same system that has been used for 6 years. The committee is reestablishing the importance of the Paso Largo in the Performance and Pleasure divisions.

Marketing - Chair - Dwight Graber: There is an emphasis on getting advertising in motion..that is what sells the Pasos...seeing the gait. The marketing committee is working with Galapodo to produce 32 programs for RFD-TV and Horse TV. There will be an update to E-news. There are 1000 more Paso Horse World magazines distributed to the board reps to take back to their regions to be placed in offices. If an address is provided, there will be a direct mail to the offices in April. There was an increase cost to mail January's Horse World due to the Farm Directory being inserted and an increase in advertising. The cost of the Village going to Ontario was more than $6,000. The next stop is Houston for the Houston Rodeo.

Speaker: Dr G.F. Anderson, D.V.M. Tail Alterations: Dr Anderson came to Charlie and Milda Minter's farm in April of 2006 on a fact finding mission. He was to investigate if he could determine which Paso Fino that had their tails altered and do it consistently. He was presented 25 horses - 15 with altered tails and 10 without. He was able to identify 13 of the horses with altered tails. Two of the horses with altered tails would have passed the test that Dr Anderson has devised. He stated that you could not just look at a horse and determine if the tail had been altered.

He spoke about the history of the Quarter Horse breed in their pursuit to stop tail alterations. They have spent around $1,000,000 in research and $1,000,000 in in testing. The surgical process was stopped but then an alcohol block was started which caused more complications and deaths in the horses. In the Quarter Horse Journal in December of 2004, there is an article on how to check for an altered tail. The Quarter Horse industry uses veterinarians to check tails at their shows.

Speaker: Edith Gandy Member Engagement: Edith presented a very informative topic of how to engage members, She reiterated that member engagement needs to be done at the regional level where is it most effective. She presented some myths, magnets and barriers to member engagement. The group presented several ways to include and engage members such as clinics, new member orientation, fun shows & informational surveys to gain knowledge of members interests.

Robbie Davis

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Advertise in the 2007 Piedmont Membership Directory
The annual Piedmont PFHA membership directory will be published with the Asheville show program in June. The directory is available for a full year at all Piedmont events or any event where the horses are involved, such as expos, fun shows, open houses, clinics and the National Show. The exposure for this publication is wide-spread and certainly gives advertisers more coverage than a normal show program. For 2007, we are offering color pages in addition to the normal black and white ads and the color covers.

Advertising rates for 2007 are the same as in 2006:
Back cover (color) - $750.
Inside covers (front and back color) - $600.
Inside full color page in color - $450.
Inside full page in black and white - $175.
Other black and white ads are:
Half page - $100.
Quarter Page - $75
Business Card - $40
For a specification sheet or additional questions, contact gina@lexingtonspeedprinting.com or call Gina at (336) 248-6272. For ad reservations contact Milda Minter at (336) 764-4785 or by email at mpminter60@aol.com. DEADLINE for ads for the directory is May 10, 2007.

2007 Piedmont Asheville Show Report
Dates: June 20 – 24, 2007
Work on the Asheville Show has begun. Robbie Davis and Rita Magaha are acting as co-chairmen. The theme for the show will be “The 25th Annual Piedmont Classic Paso Fino Horse Show” celebrating the Timeless Elegance and Classic Beauty of the Paso Fino Horse which is equally at home on the trail or in the show ring. The Paso Fino Horse only gets better with time.

The judges for the show will be Karen Cabic and Angela Ochoa on Wed. – Fri. and Ed Smith and Dr. Miguel Pastrana on Fri. – Sun. We are expecting over 500 horses this year. Wednesday night will be our Exhibtors Barn Party with classes on Thursday, and Friday night and our infamous “Dinner in the Dirt" on Saturday night. Friday night’s classes will include three non-pointed special classes. One will be a Performance Texas Hold’em class. This will be a LARGE sweepstakes class. We will be publishing more informtaion on the class procedures and purse in publications to come out in the future. If you have a good performance horse make plans to participate and share in the large purse.

Piedmont PFHA Stallion Breedings Available
January 2007

The following breedings are available for you to purchase for your 2007 breeding program! Many great stallions are available.

Stallion - Minimum Bid
Aleli de Lusitania - $500
Concierto del 8 - $500
222 - $1,000
El Vicario LTD - $500
Mercenario de La Vitrina - $750
Panorama II del 8 - $750
Picasso de Fe - $500
Profeta II de Besilu - $500
Rapido del Paso - $750
Testimonio de Besilu - $500
El Triunfo - $500
Cognac de Lusitania - $500
Aladino del Juncal - $500
Mr. Toto - $500
Rainbow's Excaliber - $500
Mujeriego del Conde - $500
El Zafero de Trillador - $750
El Libro La Rosa - $500
Dulcero La Ya Ya - $500

First check received wins the breeding! If you would like to bid on one of these stallions, please send a check made payable to PPFHA and mail to: Bill Kerns, 291 Dark Horse Ln., Tryon, NC 28782.

2007 Piedmont Futurity Report
Despite fund raising efforts such as the generous embryo donation from Dwight and Marla Graber, sale of 2005 Silver Star trailer and the trailer raffle, the Futurity is still unable to support the additional classes added in 2002. The classes added were 2 year old Bella Forma Geldings and the 3 year old Bella Forma Colts, Fillies and Geldings classes.

The participation in the Futurity has not increased enough to continue to payout in these classes. The Board had to make a tough decision to drop these classes from the Futurity program. We trust that you will support the decisions being made to continue to move us to sound financial footing.

The owners of three year old horses that are currently nominated will receive a free declaration fee in 2008 for their horses when they show as a 4 year old. This is the $50 fee paid when the horse is declared to show in a Futurity class.

2007 Piedmont Youth Program with Southern States and Nutrena
In a program sponsored by Pinnacle Paso Finos, owned by Joe and Eileen Wilhem, a $500 Savings Bond will be awarded to the youth who collects and turns in the most Southern States 'Proof of Purchase' seals from Legends, Reliance and Triple Crown horse feed bags and Nutrena's ten varieties of feed. An equal number of seals will be credited for each bulk feed slip turned in. The program runs from June 1, 2006 through May 31, 2007.

Don't have a youth collecting seals from you?? Sponsor a youth!! Send your seals and specify a youth you would like to support. If you have any questions, please call (336) 325-3052 or email: joes9245@surry.net
Send Your Seals Monthly to: Joe and Eileen Wihem, 1285 Stony Ridge Rd., Pinnacle, NC 27043.

2007 Piedmont High Points Report
Welcome to the 2007 show year! We hope to provide the high point standings in the newsletter after each eligible show. If you participated at the North Carolina State Fair and were a current member of Piedmont PFHA, look for your point standings (spreadsheet file) in the Password. If you are not listed, please contact Denise Ireland at pintopaso@hughes.net or call at (336) 998-0751. Good Luck, and I hope everyone has a successful, fun show season in 2007!

Piedmont PFHA 2007 dues reminder
2007 dues are past due now if you have not renewed. 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). Ride Guest Membership category available for one trail ride at $10.00. 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.

Membership Notices
There is a FREE one year membership for First Time Paso Fino Buyers. When selling horses 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.

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2007 Piedmont Trail Ride Report
Come ride with Piedmont in 2007! We are looking forward to adding some new locations and rotating back into the mix some from the previous years, such as Latta and Croft Park. Under consideration for new rides is South Mountain, which offers excellent but hilly trails, picnic and camping facilities. There has also been interest in adding a beach ride. As trail coordinator, I continually look for and check out new places to ride.

On the September Sandhills trail ride, we met up with Piedmont members John & Joanne Thurow, who are avid trail riders. They host a website called www.horsetraildirectory.com which is a growing website where trail riders can critique trails and facilities all over the country. Check it out!

If you have suggestions for a ride or would be willing to serve as a Ride Host for a specific ride in your area where you know the trails, please contact me: Candace Link, Trail Ride Coordinator, (336) 940-2936 or Email: pasolink@msn.com

2007 Piedmont Open Horse Show Report
Just a reminder to get your applications or renewals sent in for the 2007 Open Show season! You can print an application form from the newletter section of the Piedmont website, or contact : Penny Rose 16976 Justice Branch Road Littleton, NC 27850 email - prose@livestockmutual.com phone - 252 586-7978; fax - 252 586-0665. If you need information about a show check the Piedmont website below and the calender of events or contact: Jeanne Griggs, phone - 864 487-9565.

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!
Thanks to all the members who participated this past year.

See the updated rules for our open and fun competition high point program in the Password newsletter. If you have a show you would like to get approved, contact the program chairman so we can get the information into the newsletter and the calendar of events. Showing in these shows is one of the best ways to promote our Paso Finos to the public and other horse owners!

The Open Show program for 2007 has already begun with regular and double pointed fun shows running through November. Please don't miss this economical opportunity to show our breed to the public, improve your skills and those of your horse, all while making new friends and having lots of fun! If you need additional information, please contact Jeanne Griggs jeannegriggs@bellsouth.net
Jeanne Griggs

2007 Piedmont Youth Report
Calling all Piedmont Youth to sign up for Piedmont Pathfinders! Once you do, you will be eligible to start earning $ for our Youth Service Project this year, the Prancing Horse Center for Therapeutic Horseback
Riding, just by logging your riding hours. Grown-ups, we'll be calling on YOU to sponsor the Youth, so you'll be helping out, too.

High School Seniors and College Freshmen, don't forget to apply for the PFHA Foundation Youth Scholarship. Piedmont region also has a scholarship available to a PIEDMONT member, but you still need to fill out the national form. Deadline is the end of May.

A great time was had by all at the Youth Beach Trail Ride hosted by the Orr family in Topsail Beach on Dec. 16th. With warm, beautiful weather, six horses and riders enjoyed a special privilege to ride down a virtually deserted beach. The view of the Pasos on the beach was absolutely breathtaking. The next day, the group moved on to Holly Shelter, a state preserve with wonderful trails. THANKS! to the Orr family for their gracious hospitiality, and for letting us stay at their motel.

I will be taking several youth to The NCSU Veterinary School's annual open house on March 31st. If you are interested in going, please let me know!
Dr. Ann Furr

In a program sponsored by Pinnacle Paso Finos, starting June 2006 and running through May 31, 2007, a $500 Savings Bond was offered to be awarded to the Youth member who collected and turned in the most “Proof of Purchase” seals from Southern States Legends, Reliance & Triple Crown horse feed bags and also from Nutrena’s ten varieties of feed. An equal number of seals will be credited for each bulk feed slip turned in.

Pinnacle Paso Finos is offering a $500 Savings Bond to the Youth who collects the most seals starting June 1, 2006 and running through May 31, 2007. Start collecting now! Proceeds from this drive will be used to fund the Piedmont Futurity Program. SEND YOUR SEALS MONTHLY to: Joe & Eileen Wilhem, Pinnacle Paso Finos, 1285 Stony Ridge Road, Pinnacle, NC 27043. If you have any questions call (336) 325-3052, joes9245@surry.net.

2007 Pure Puerto Rican Association Piedmont Show Report
The PPRPFHA will host a Piedmont pointed show in Columbia, SC on Saturday August 4th at the SC State Fairgrounds. There will be two PFHA judges for the show. The show class schedule will be the same as the Clemson show classes for April 2007. Contact Ann Gilpatrick, phone 803-643-7034 or email
gilpatricka@bellsouth.net.

2007 NC State Fair Horse Show Report
The NC State Fair Paso Fino Show Advisory Committee members Ali Casey and Lynn Gallup met with the NC State Fair management on December 14th, 2006 in Raleigh to discuss and provide input for the 2007 show. The Paso Fino Show will be on Monday, October 15th, and will include three new classes: Classic Fino Youth Open, and two "fun sport" non-pointed classes to show spectators how versatile and smooth Paso Finos can be: Paso Fino Wine Glass and Paso Fino Pole Bending. Ali and Paul Casey of FlatRock Farm has graciously agreed to host a Bar-B-Que dinner again for exhibitors on the night before. Exhibitors will have a 2 hour earlier arrival time if they desire at 4 pm. The fair will place full page show ads in August and September PFHW. Other issues addressed were loud speakers in the barn area, the parade of flags - whether Piedmont or the fair would supply the flags and which ones, and judges' names submission for consideration. The Draft horse classes will be intermixed with the Paso Finos Monday night, same as in 2006. That seem to be a good mix and both breeds attracted spectators. See you and your Paso Finos at the Fair in October 2007!
Lynn Gallup

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). 2007 dues are now due! 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.

Don't Forget the Free One Year Membership for First Time Paso Fino Buyers
For those PFHA members selling horses, remember to fill out the paperwork for any new buyers to get a free one-year individual membership in Piedmont (as well as nationals). 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.

Piedmont Futurity News
The Futurity fee increase is effective January 1, 2007. See the current stallion listing. A new form for the 2006-2007 year has been added. Contact Robbie Davis. Support Our Futurity Sponsors! Southern States has donated $1032.75 to the Futurity this year alone! Please collect the your proof of purchase seals monthly and mail to: Joe & Eileen Wilhem, 1285 Stony Ridge Rd., Pinnacle, NC 27043. Let's see if we can double that amount in 2007.

Piedmont Pathfinders
Thanks to all the members who have supported us in the 2006 inaugural year. Keep logging all those hours you trail ride OFF your farm premises (whether a sanctioned Trail Ride or just for fun) and turning them in to me. Join the Pathfinders program and get your T-shirt to start and a supply of forms to record your miles. Contact: Ingrid Ruppalt (803) 548-2395 or email pasofan55@aol.com.
Ingrid Ruppalt
Chairperson, Piedmont Pathfinders

Important Piedmont News Deadlines
Piedmont PFHA Web site 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 notepad format if attachment or within the email message to Lynn Gallup webmaster email . News and Event photos should be sized to 72-100 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. Digital photos may be emailed or sent on a disk. Traditional film photos can be scanned and emailed or send prints to me with a stamped, self addressed envelope for their return. 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 Marcia Carrico, 305 Clayton Drive, Mocksville, NC 27028. Fax: 336-998-1111 or casacarrico@yadtel.net. 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 Web site 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 contact Lynn Gallup or 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 PFHA Guidelines for High Point Awards

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:
High Point Filly, Colt, Stallion, Mare, Gelding
High Point Sub-Junior and Junior Youth Riders

9) 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.

Piedmont Business Sponsors

Support the Piedmont Classic - Asheville Show Trailer Sponsor
One of the major sponsors for the Asheville Show - The Piedmont Classic, is Southern Star Trailers of Brunswick, GA. We will have a trailer drawing for our Region for the next 9 years, thanks to the generosity of Larry Herrington, owner/manager. The trailers are all the Silver Star brand, offering top features and safety for your horses, plus ease of handling and light weight. If you are looking for a new trailer of any size or type, contact Larry at (912) 261-8484 and wee what he can do for you! Visit online at www.silver-star-trailers.com.

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 Marketing

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.

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, Bill Kerns with which links, and email the info to webmaster, Lynn Gallup designer@unbridledvisions.com.

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.

Piedmont Activities now available on DVD
The Piedmont Clinic at Minter's Rancho Paso Bravo (April 2005) and the "Dinner in the Dirt" at the 2005 Asheville show are available on DVD from Galopando TV, $40.00 each. For ordering information, or for other advertising opportunities, call 1-877-PASO-DVD, or visit GalopandoTV on the web www.galopandotv.com.

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 new 2006-2007 directory that was handed out at the Piedmont Classic show in Asheville. It has the latest member listing and farm directory, plus officer information. It is also a valuable tool for new members or prospective buyers to see how active our region is. Call Milda Minter (336) 764-4785 or email mpminter60@aol.com.

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Piedmont Trail Ride News

Attention All Trail Riders ... Join the Piedmont Path Finders Program
Piedmont PFHA is proud to announce the start of our new riding rewards program called "Piedmont Pathfinders". It will be like the national PFHA Pasos For Pleasure program. The program name was selected by the BOD from a youth "name picking" contest. The winning name was submitted by Christina Minter. For a one time membership fee of $25 you will receive a T-shirt and log sheets to track your hours. Contact Ingrid Ruppalt, the chair of the new Piedmont Pathfinders program. Ingrid will keep track of log sheets. Her email is pasofan55@aol.com or phone is 803-548-2395. Download the Piedmont PathFinders Hours log in PDF format.

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.

PFHA Trail Ride Calendar
The Trail Ride Calendar for 2007 includes all our favorite places to ride, plus a few new and exciting additions. Our goal is to offer rides in different areas of our Region so that all our membership can participate. Suggestions for locations are always welcome, so if you have a favorite place you would like to see us ride, please let me know so it can be added to our Calendar. Your trail ride chairman and trail bosses are planning wonderful rides all around the region. Our attempt is to have one ride per month.

The Trail Hosts listed on the Calendar of Events have 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.

If you plan to participate in a Piedmont Ride you must be a Piedmont member. Membership is an insurance requirement for designated Piedmont Rides. For non-members and/or members that may have guests that want to come ride, we do offer a one-time Trail Ride Membership for $10.00 per person 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 cancelled due to weather or other reasons.

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.

Ideas for Trail Ride 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 an allotted time and location. Coordinate with you 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 ride there.

We have some new and exciting places to ride this year. Hope to see you there. Happy Trails!
Candace Link, Trail Ride Coordinator, (336) 940-2936 pasolink@msn.com.

PFHA Trail Rides
If you know of any trail rides your region is sponsoring, tell your region you want them submitted to the PFHA. If they are submitted to the PFHA they will be listed on the web site, in the magazine, on E-News and in Association information packets for FREE. That means more people will attend and if you would like to participate in other trail programs provided by the PFHA (Ticket to Ride, Pleasure Trail, Endurance Trail, Competitive Trail) you can use these rides as sanctioned trail rides.

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.

Llyn Shook has volunteered to be a “Riding Buddy”, if anyone wants to come to DuPont State Forest near Brevard, NC and needs someone to ride with them. Call (828) 884-246 or email her at llynbill@citcom.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 basvprop@bellsouth.net.

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@msn.com.

Ticket to Ride PFHA 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.

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All-Breed Open Horse Shows News and Events

2007 Piedmont Open Circuit Horse Show Program
Purpose: To get people to participate and show Paso Finos to others outside of our breed. Piedmont members must get shows approved ahead of time, added to a list and published to membership. The Password will have published a separate show calendar for these eligible Open Shows. Individuals will have to sign up for the program, with a fee of $10.00 per year. Click here to see and print off the Open Horse Show form. Jeanne Griggs will handle putting the forms together.

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. Contact Jeanne Griggs at jeannegriggs@bellsouth.net or call (864) 487-9565. 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
March 31, 2007
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
2007 Dates to be announced
Website: www.eastcoasthorses.com

Etowah Riding Club
Turnpike Road, Etowah, NC
2007 Dates to be announced
Tracie Mitchell (828) 692-0096

Union County Saddle Club Open Horse Shows
East Sandy Ridge Rd, Off Highway 207, Monroe, NC
2007 Dates to be announced
Cindy Moser (704) 291-0196 or Vicki Lawton (704) 243-2126; www.unioncountysaddleclub.com

Lincoln County Horsemen’s Association
Ponderosa Show Grounds, Lincolnton, NC
2007 Show schedule:
3/11/07 - Fuzzy Fun Open Horse Show @ 11am. Rain date 3/12/07 @ 12pm.
4/14/07 - Open Horse Show @ 11am. Rain date 4/15/07 @ 12pm.
5/12/07 - Open Horse Show @ 11am. Rain date 5/13/07 @ 12pm.
6/9/07 - Open Horse Show @ 11am. Rain date 6/10/07 @ 12pm.
8/11/07 - Open Horse Show @ 11am. Rain date 8/12/07 @ 12pm.
9/8/07 - Annual Horse Show @ 11am.

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.

Last year we had Pasos shown in the Cross Rails class, a couple of the English Equitation classes (a few first places there by the way!), Pole Bending and Barrel Racing. However, classes 19 and 21 (which are Saddle seat classes) are the two that are predominantly, some months exclusively Paso Fino now! It really is a great show for beginners, students, as a "dress rehearsal" show for young or green horses, or a fun and inexpensive way to show in a very relaxed, family atmosphere! We hope to see lots of Piedmont Paso Finos at the next how! ...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.

Classes offered are huntseat, western, english, trail, equitation & horsemanship, halter and several over fences classes. There are four age divisions Pee Wee (8 years and under), Youth (9-13 years), Junior (14-18 years) and Adult (19 and over). The show is approved for the Paint Alternative Competition (PAC), Arabian Horse Association Open Event Incentive Program (OEIP) and qualifies for North Carolina Quarter Horse Association, Appaloosa (ACAAP), Morgan Horse Association, Pinto Horse of America, American Donkey and Mule Association, Palomino Performance Program, Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association Versatility Program, and the International Spotted Horse Registry Association Show Point Recognition. 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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PFHA News

The new version of the PFHA rule book, which goes into effect Friday, September 1, 2006, is now posted on the PFHA Website: www.pfha.org. Printed version will be mailed to the PFHA Board members with a Board of Director Handbook, Judges and Stewards, as well as, to all those members that purchased copies in 2004. The revisions are still out for translation into Spanish.

The Events Department has the addendum pages for the Rule book effective September 1st, 2006. Please make sure you change out the pages when you receive them if you have the printed rulebook. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Cori Clark
PFHA Events Manager

The Paso Fino TV Series
Promote your Paso Fino farm or ranch to a national audience in the TV series being produced for the new HorseTV Channel, a new 14 hour, 100% equine channel spreading rapidly throughout the U.S. on cable and satellite. The 7 Episode series, produced by the award winning production and marketing company HorseFlicks will feature just 7 Paso Fino farms and ranches in North America. Already shot and completed, Oak Island Farm in Alabama presents the excellence of their program in Fino, Performance and Pleasure disciplines. Also, shooting has been completed on Feather Hills Paso Finos in Pennsylvania, where the owners Gordon and Brenda Hall demonstrate the excellence and suitability for the Paso Fino in endurance riding and competitive trail competitions.

Don’t miss your opportunity to promote your horses and program to a national TV audience. There is a small production fee to cover the costs of producing each episode; however all of the national TV and Internet Broadcast placement and airings are free to each participant. The series will be carried by internet broadcast, making each person’s episode available globally to anyone with an Internet connection. If you are interested in promoting your passion for the Paso Fino to a national audience in your own TV episode, contact John May at HorseFlicks at 940-594-0000.

PFHA Pasos for Pleasure
Tiffany L. Duncan joined the Paso Fino Horse Association, based in Plant City, FL in December 2005 and took on the position of Events Assistant. I am also the new liaison for the Pasos for Pleasure Program. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. I look forward to working with each and every one of you. Phone (813)719-7777; Email: showaide@pfha.org.

I also want to inform all of our Pasos for Pleasure members that the May issue of Paso Fino Horse World is dedicated to the pleasure and trail riders of the Association. If you do not currently get the Paso Fino Horse World magazine be sure to order your subscription today.

PFHA Membership Dues Increase
Membership fees for PFHA changed as of January 1, 2006 and now includes a subscription to PFHWorld. Individual $55, Family $75, Junior 35.

PFHA Registration Note
Please do not send hairs for the DNA kits to the PFHA office. A DNA kit will be mailed to you and you MUST send the hairs in the DNA kit to the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory in Davis, CA.

Paso Finos on RFD-TV
See the Paso Fino videos on RFD-TV found on both DirecTV and Dish Networks. Check guide at www.rfdtv.com for programming information. DirecTV is on channel 379 and Dish Network on 9409.
The shows are currently available for purchase through the PFHA office on RVD only for $12.95 plus shipping. Call 813-719-7777 or email mbrsecy@pfha.org to order.

Support The PFHA Sponsors
Corporate sponsor dollars help support programs so that the burden is minimal to our members. Please support our sponsors whenever possible to ensure that they will continue their support in the future.

2007 PFHA Rule Book
The PFHA Rule Book is now available on the PFHA Web Site. The book can be downloaded and printed off any pages needed. The paper version of the new rulebook can be purchased from PFHA for $10.00.

Ordering DNA Kits
You can now order DNA kits when registering your Paso Fino horse. Simply check the box under Section 1 on the Registration Application and include the $55. for PFHA members or $110 for non-PFHA members.

The PFHA Sponsors are now listed on the PFHA/Links page on Piedmont's web site. When shopping, support the official PFHA sponsors! They support PFHA.

PFHA Ticket to Ride PFHA Program
The Ticket to Ride PFHA Program is a free program offered to PFHA members. Download the ticket from the PFHA website or or click here to get your ticket. Have the Ride Manager sign your ticket after each trail ride. Each PFHA sanctioned trail ride counts for two rides and non-PFHA sanctioned trail rides will be worth one ride. After attending five rides the ticket is sent to the Association office and you can start a new ticket. There is no limit to the number of tickets you submit to the PFHA. At the end of the year a drawing is held at the Grand National Championship Show. You do not have to be present to win and you must be a current member at the time of all rides and at the time of the drawing. Three tickets are drawn and prizes are awarded.

PFHA Paso Fino Videos for Sale

A new DVD, titled “Competitor's at the 2004 Grand Nationals,” features scenes from the 2004 Grand National Show and highlights the "Geldings for Gold" program along with National Show competitors. This program is available only on DVD and is $12.95 plus shipping. Contact mbrsecy@pfha.org to order.

2004 Paso Fino Grand National Championship Show: 53 minute program including highlights of the competition and festivities.
Youth Participation at the 2004 PFHA Nationals: 27 minute program features the Parade of Flags, Trail Ride and other Youth activities.
Basics of Trimming Your Horses Hooves with Don West.
Videos are $9.95 plus shipping. Please contact the PFHA at 813-719-7777 or via email mbrsecy@pfha.org to order.

PFHA Paso Fino Videos for Sale
PFHA announces this Paso Fino Horse Association video sale. Call 813.719.7777 to order. All videos $9.95 each, plus shipping. While supplies last. Buy 3, get one free, Buy 6 get two free. These are all the videos that have been aired on RFD-TV; they are now on sale.

The Grand National Shows listed below are approximately 50 minutes
in length, and feature interviews, and championship competition
1 - 2000 Paso Fino Grand Nationals ______
2 - 2001 Paso Fino Grand Nationals ______
3 - 2002 Paso Fino Grand Nationals ______
4 - 2003 Paso Fino Grand Nationals ______

5 - EQUINE AFFAIRE, COLUMBUS, OHIO 2004 ______
Great Lakes PFHA Regions breed demos and interviews
Scenes from the 2003 Paso Fino auction in Perry, GA

6 TEXAS AMERICA WITH JOHN LYONS ______
High lights of the Paso Fino’s participation in this event,
plus the Texcelentes drill team performance

7 - 1999 MUNDIAL WORLD CUP ______
Pasos in competition from the US and many South American Countries

8 - PASO PARTICIPATION IN THE CARRIAGE OF THE HORSE SHOW
Features Stardust drill team. Lots of carriages and ______
a tour through the Horse Carriage Museum in central Florida

9 - CHAMPIONS IN PERRY/BEHIND THE SCENES 2001 ______
This video captures the action both in and out of the ring. Find out
what it takes to put on a show of this size. Interviews with youth riders
and horse owners. A look at the colorful stall decorations, exhibitor
booths and costume class competition.

10 - PASOS ON THE ROAD ______
Highlights of Equine Affaire, Piedmont Classic, and Spectrum Shows

11 - SMOOTHEST RIDE ______
Explains Fino, Corto, Largo and aspects of owning a Paso Fino
Original Smoothest ride video

12 - SMOOTHEST RIDE EVER ______
Similar to #11 but has various trail ride scenes with Mary Ann Kennedy
singing the Paso Fino song.

13 - VERSATILITY OF THE PASO FINO ______
Shows Paso Fino’s team penning, beach and trail riding, Extravaganza
show in Ocala, Florida, explanation of the Paso Fino gait, John Lyons
Interview.

14 - DON WEST CLINIC (back ordered till 6/30/04) ______
22-minute session of Don teaching basic Paso Fino horsemanship
Includes short clip of the Spectrum Paso show in Tampa, Florida

15 - SMOOTH TRAILS ON A PASO FINO ______
Various trail rides from the great northwest to beach riding in Florida

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USEF News

USEF Safe Rule Changes at Recognized Competitions
Lexington, KY - Consistent with one of the primary missions of the United States Equestrian Federation, which is to ensure the safety and welfare of both horses and riders, two important rule changes were approved at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors held in Louisville, Kentucky on January 16th, 2005. These changes should significantly contribute to safety at recognized USEF competitions. They involve the operation of motorized vehicles on horse show grounds by minors and the standards for safety helmets to be used in jumping competitions.

The first change was to rule GR301.5.a. The Board voted that beginning April 1st, 2005 minors who do not have a valid driver’s license which allows them to operate a motorized vehicle in the state in which they reside, will not be permitted to operate a motorized vehicle on the grounds of a recognized competition. This includes, but is not limited to, golf carts, motorcycles, scooters and farm utility vehicles. Penalties may include exclusion of the child, parents, guardians, and/or trainers from the competition grounds for the remainder of the competition and charges being filed against any of these individuals in accordance with Chapter VI. (Wheelchairs and other mobility assistance equipment for people with disabilities are exempt.)

The second rule change unanimously passed by the Board was GR318 which pertains to the use of approved safety helmets by everyone, juniors and seniors, competing over fences.
The Paso Fino Horse Association requested that the Board add to this rule that approved helmets be worn in all Paso Fino classes requiring jumping, and by all sub-juniors (exhibitors under 12 years of age) at all times when riding on the competition grounds of a Paso Fino show. The Board approved this addition.

2007 USEF Membership Renewals Available Online
Don't let your membership benefits lapse! In addition to being able to compete in more than 2,700 USEF-recognized competitions throughout the year, as a USEF member you receive:

* Significant discounts from companies like John Deere, Dodge, Nextel and FedEx through the USEF Purchasing Program.

* $1,000,000 personal excess liability policy for horse-related accidents that cause bodily injury or property damage to third parties.

* Travel discounts

* Annual subscription to EQUESTRIAN magazine, the official publication of the Federation

* And much more……(USEF Purchasing, Automatic Insurance and annual subscription to EQUESTRIAN provided to our Life, Platinum, Senior and Junior members)

To Renew On Line: Go to https://www.usef.org/content/aua/userSystemArea.php or click here for printable form. If you don’t have a Authorized User Account (AUA), you can create one through this page with your membership number (USEF # ) and last name. After creating your account, click LOG IN to log in to your Authorized User Account. Select 2005 Membership Application/Renewal to renew your 2005 membership under the Member Forms. A Licensed Official must also indicate the license(s) he/she is renewing. After renewing your membership, a page will appear giving you verification of credit card approval. Please print this page for your records.

PRINT your temporary United States Equestrian Federation 2006 membership cards.
Congratulations, You have just joined On Line! If you have questions please contact the United States Equestrian Federation Membership Department or, for Licensed Officials, the Licensed Officials Department at 859/258-2472.

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North Carolina Horse Council News

For Equine Hurricane Awareness and Preparation Information
Go to on the web: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/extension/horse/hurrican.htm.

Horse Health Awareness. Protect your horse from diseases like Rabies (spread by wild animals, vaccinate once a year); Sleeping Sickness/EEE (spread by mosquitoes, vaccinate twice a year); West Nile Virus (spread by mosquitoes, vaccinate twice a year).

Interstate Health Permit
Horse owners who frequently travel out of state with their animals for horse shows and festivals can take advantage of a new agreement between the Southern states that will eliminate the need to obtain monthly animal Health Certificates. The agreement between Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia will allow horse owners to apply for an Equine Event Permit that will be good for up to six months in any of the listed states. Some states had reciprocal agreements in the past, but this is the first agreement of its kind in the South.

To receive a permit, North Carolina horse owners must send proof of negative Coggins test and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection along with an application and a $5 processing fee for each animal to the NC State Veterinarian. Owners must also submit proof of permanent identification, which includes tattoos, brands, microchips or digital photos showing the left and right sides, as well as a frontal view, of the horse. The issued permit will be good for six months, unless the Coggins test expires beforehand. Owners will still be required to carry the Coggins information and original Health Certificate with them when they travel. Owners will also be required to travel with a microchip reader if the equine is identified by microchip.

The application and more information about the Permit can be downloaded at the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Veterinary Division website, www.ncagr.com/vet/ or by calling (919) 733-7601.

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