Updated April 8, 2009

2009 Piedmont PFHA Events

March 28th
Moss Foundation Trail Ride - Southern Pines, NC
www.walthour-moss.com
Trail Host: Candace Link, 336-940-2936/H, 336 413-5204/C
pasolink@yadtel.net

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April 18th
Sandhills State Forest Trail Ride
Cooper Black Recreation Area - Cheraw, SC
Website
Trail Host: Candace Link, 336-940-2936/H, 336 413-5204/C
pasolink@yadtel.net

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April 25th - 26th The Carolina Classic - Clemson, SC Show Click for more info: Show Flyer (.doc) | Class Schedule (you will need Excel to open file )

USEF - PFHA Show which counts double PFHA points

Youth Clinic on Friday Night for Showmanship & Ring Etiquette

Piedmont Membership Meeting Saturday Evening

Show Co-Chairs are: Gayling Fox: 864-238-0855 and Debra Kennerly: 864- 963-5080. Judges are for Saturday: Bobby Yunits and Robbyn Young. Sunday's judges are: Javier Suarez Conde and Alex Zapata. The steward is Dick Lockhart. The announcer is Hannah Reid. Show Secretary is Georgia Hattan-Bennett of Good Apple Equine; PO BOX 771266 Ocala FL 34477; (352) 572-2702/Cell; (866) 737-7871/Fax.

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June 25th - 28th The Piedmont Classic - Asheville, NC Show Click for more info: Show Prize List    Class Listing    Entry Form  (PDF's)

Asheville’s Dinner in the Dirt, “A Celebration of the Paso Fino” on Saturday Night

Youth Championship classes in the Thursday and Friday Show

Prize money in ALL the championship classes, including Bellas Formas

The Asheville Show is only months away and the excitement and interest is building each week. Inquiries are coming in about dates and people are marking their calendars. Be sure to mark yours!

Judges will be as follows: Jose Laracuente and Mike Cumming will officiate on Thursday and Friday, June 25 & 26, 2009. Sharon Londono and Donald Schanche will officiate on Saturday and Sunday, June 27 & 28, 2009. Donald Schanche will be the Futurity judge.

A 4-day format will be followed once again this year. Our host hotels are Holiday Inn and Fairfield Inn. Now is the time to make those reservations. Remember to tell them you are with the show to get the show rates. Reservations made after June 3, 2009 will not be eligible for our special rates.

Asheville’s Dinner in the Dirt, “A Celebration of the Paso Fino” is back and being sponsored by our youth!! It will be held on Saturday night at the conclusion of the evening classes. The exhibition will be expanded and include some fantastic entertainment. Be sure to order your tickets early. It’s sure to be a sellout.

As an added feature this year, we are adding three Youth Championship classes to the Thursday and Friday Show. A big Thank you goes out to Joe and Eileen Wilheim and Charlie and Milda Minter for furnishing the prize money for those classes.

The arena has added two more of the concrete box seats. Eligibility for these box seats are determined by the Farm Sponsorships. We have reduced the cost of the Farm Sponsorships and have also changed the structure for the Class sponsorships to make them more affordable. This information is in the prize list that is posted on the Piedmont Web site. Teresa Foster has agreed to be our sponsorship chairman and will be contacting you to see which sponsorship best suits your needs.

Due to the economic situation this year the show will not be able to afford to pay out prize money to the regular riding classes. We are, however, still paying out the prize money in ALL the championship classes, including the Bellas Formas classes.

If you have a colt, filly, or gelding that is eligible for our Futurity, please nominate them and share in the tremendous premiums that are available. We had several places that were not paid because we did not have enough horses nominated. The money is there, all you have to do is nominate that colt, filly or gelding and share in the wealth.

Rita Magaha
Asheville Show Chair

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Asheville Show Ribbon Presenters Needed

Come be a part of the spotlight! See champion horses up close! Have your picture taken!

I am looking for folks to help present ribbons at the 2009 Piedmont Classic Paso Fino Horse Show. It is to be held in Asheville, NC June 24-28, 2009.

There is no need to be showing horses, just come help out! You may want to show horses after helping with ribbon presenting! We ask that in keeping with the show attire that you do wear black pants or black jeans and a white shirt. Any accessories are fine! It is a fun experience and you get to meet new people.

I am not picky about how long you can work. I am flexible! Work for an hour or three, your choice as long as I know ahead of time so that I may plan for others. Please contact me as soon as you know if you can help so that I may give you your best time slot!

Please contact Katy Nichoalds (803) 948-8147, (803) 673-2251, or Ariespf1234@gmail.com.

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7th Annual Heritage Farm Fun Show RAINED OUT
New Date to be Announced in the near future
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009. Start time is10:00 am.
LOCATION: Heritage Farm, 1833 Perryman Road, Lexington, NC
Paso Finos and All Breeds Welccome. (RAIN DATE--SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2009)
Open to all breeds or types of horses. Click here for more info: Show Flyer.
Milda Minter

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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2009 Piedmont Membership Directory Advertising

NEWS FLASH !!! Advertising Deadline is March 25th.

Download 2009 Piedmont Directory Advertising Flyer here.

We will be publishing 2000 copies this year - with distribution at the Clemson Spring Show, The Asheville Piedmont Classic, Kentucky's Equine Affair, The Grand Nationals in Perry, GA, and the NC State Fair. In addition, all PPFHA Farms & Events will have the directory available for marketing our Horses, Farms and our Association.

Remember - You must be an active member of PPFHA to receive the Discount! Renew your membership today! We invite outside Advertisers to participate in this great opportunity too; So feel free to pass the information along to those you think would like to participate!

Any questions, please contact Jill Graff at Startown Stables at 828.320.5434 or email Jill Graff . Thank you and Come Ride with Piedmont!

The 2009 PPFHA Directory Committee

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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.

Piedmont PFHA Board of Director’s Meeting Minutes
February 7, 2009
Ali Casey, Joe Wilhem, Shaw Laney, Bill Kerns, Fred Newcomb, Rita Magaha, and Lori West in attendance.12:15 called to order

• Shaw Laney - report of PFHA BOD meeting.

Highlights include:

Signing of contract with RFD-TV for PFHA/Al Berry produced approx 30 min segments

Online advertising will become available on pfha.org, as well as stallion stud book subscription

Confepaso- Classes for other Paso modalities may be offered at the PFHA Grand National show in Perry GA 2009. PFHA Regions have the option to hold such classes during their shows.

2010 meeting, tentatively Las Vegas

2011 Grand National show, and perhaps 2010, will likely move from Perry, GA. Forerunners in order are Asheville NC, Virginia Horse Center, and Kansas City. Piedmont’s board agreed that we must stay on top of this and do everything possible to see that Nationals is once again held in North Carolina. Discussion that the show dates would have to be the last week of August or the First week of October.

Castrations will now cost $10 to report with PFHA, with all proceeds to benefit Geldings For Gold.

Officers and votes from Piedmont: Ed Smith 484; Edie Gandy 242; Rosanne Gmuer 242, Peggy Tanner 242, Charles Rechtenbach 242; Sue Niebling 484. National results are: Ed Smith 5297, Edie Gandy 4521, Charles Rechtenbach 677, Sue Niebling 5277, Peggy Tanner 2891, Rosanne Gmuer 2490.

• Motion to replace section VII, “administration of the Piedmont Breeder’s Futurity Fund” of the Futurity rules: Futurity chair appointed by the President of Piedmont PFHA, with 2 committee members to be selected by the chair. Chairperson reports to the Board. Committee to be charged with a proposal to rewrite the futurity rules. Motion passed unanimously.
  
• Discussion of 400 Piedmont-eligible members in our geographic region. Postcards to be sent to last year’s members who have not renewed, and letters to be sent former members who were not members in 2008. Potential new members to be offered a ½ price individual membership for the remainder of 2009. Note that Ali Casey nor Bill Kerns are receiving the updated PFHA membership list with Piedmont eligible contact info. Bill Kerns will follow up Feb 10th. Lynn Gallup already has the letters for the new and former Piedmont members ready to start processing, but no data.
  
• Discussion of needs on Piedmont’s website: National show dates, Dates for all Piedmont Shows, and 2009 futurity forms updates. Emphasis that we need to depend on Committee chairs to monitor the website and submit current info. Committee chairs will be asked to monitor Piedmontpasofino.org and update webmaster and newsletter chair monthy by the 25th of each month.
  
• Treasurer’s report- Joe Wilhem
  We cannot afford to lose money at any shows in 2009. Asheville must make money to carry us into 2010. Though the economy may not allow it in 2009, plans need to be made to secure the future of Piedmont . Piedmont’s futurity has a $5000 surplus from the 2008 year, due to lack of participation in the futurity classes in 2008.
  
• Stallion Auction needs to be promoted. Donations need to be solicited from members and others for the Silent Auction at the Asheville show. Motion that all funds raised from Silent Auctions and other Piedmont Booths at Piedmont regional shows shall go to the revenue of the show at which the event is held (not including the Stallion Service Auction, which supports the futurity). Motion passed unanimously.
  
• Piedmont Classic will be held June 25-28th in Asheville NC. Paybacks for championship classes will be $375 per judge, divided to 4 placements. No payouts in regular classes except futurity payouts. Ali Casey to address in president’s message in newsletter and e-news. Payouts will be presented in prize list, which will be prominently posted on Piedmont’s website but not published in Paso Fino Horse World due to expense.
  
• Asheville Judges: Thursday/Friday- Mike Cummings & Jose Laracuente Saturday/Sunday- Sharon Londono & Donald Sanche. Donald Sanche to be futurity judge.
  
• Rita Magaha presented a proposal that is workable for return of Dinner in the Dirt. Asheville’s Dinner in the Dirt will be held in the lower covered arena, allowing the show in the main arena to continue up to 830pm. This will allow the normal flag presentation, entertainment, and championship classes prior to the dinner. Spectators will be invited to the lower arena to watch the exhibition. Exhibition participants will be expanded to include our Piedmont High Point Stallion, Mare, Gelding, Junior, Sub-Junior, and Amateur Owner for 2008. Costume class participants and top breeding stallions will be included. Youth will be asked to organize a demonstration. This will be billed as a Youth sponsored event, giving us a discount on the lower arena. Idea presented to sell the 38 table tops as advertisements, with all proceeds to benefit the youth of Piedmont PFHA. Designed for 38 tables accommodating 308 people. 275 tickets to be sold, the rest to be included in sponsorship packages 10 tickets for staff, 25 for exhibition horse owners.
• Equine affair April 4-5th Columbus, Ohio - Shaw Laney organizing our participation.
  4PM meeting adjourned

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

SPRING 2009 PIEDMONT MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Piedmont is starting a 2009 Spring Membership drive! Piedmont 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. There is around 400 Piedmont-eligible members in the Piedmont geographic region. We are currently offering a PFHA current individual or family who has not yet renewed for this membership year (half-way point in membership year), the opportunity to do so for ½ price. This is a great way to save you some money and also support the Piedmont PFHA.

This offer would not apply to Piedmont Life or Farm Memberships. Note PFHA show points earned at the NC State Fair Show or Open Show program would not apply towards the annual Piedmont High Point Awards if joining after these events have taken place.

We also welcome brand new people who have an interest in the breed, but don't own a Paso Fino yet for ½ of regular price, so let anyone you know who has a Paso Fino (but not a current member) that this is an excellent opportunity to get involved in Piedmont Paso Fino activities.

Be sure you have renewed your Piedmont dues asap if you wish to be included in the new Piedmont printed Directory that will be available at all our 2009 shows and events. (Remember ad deadline is March 25th.) This Directory will be used as a resource piece by many people interested in Paso Finos.

Piedmont Membership benefits include Trail Rides, Shows, Newsletter, Monthly E-News, Horsemanship Clinics, Open Horse Show Award Program, Pleasure Rider Award Program, High Point Piedmont Show Awards, Awards Banquet, Membership Meetings, Youth Program, Listing in the Annual Membership Directory (printed and online), Discount Advertising Website and Directory Rates, along with fellowship with other Paso Fino owners.

2008-2009 Piedmont Individual Member Dues were $20; now $10. Family Memberships were $30; now $15.

NEWS: Remember a person buying their first Paso Fino horse that lives in the Piedmont geographic area (NC & SC) can receive a free first year annual Piedmont membership.

Current members should have received their newly designed and colorful 2009 Piedmont Membership Card from the Piedmont Secretary Sandy Goldenburg during February-March.

There is a printable size 2009 Piedmont membership form online you can download, print and mail in. Make a note on it Spring Membership Drive 1/2 price rate.

NEW, there is a now a Piedmont PFHA Lifetime Membership category. Joining as a Piedmont Farm membership includes being listed in Piedmont's online Farm Directory, Membership Directory, includes your website listing on the Farm Listing page, entitles you to 3 votes, and include 1-2 adults.

Note on the 2009 membership form that you have the option of opting out of the printed mailed Password, and receive the online e-news only. You can also purchase a live email and farm website link as an option in addition to your membership. Remember that Piedmont dues are separate from PFHA annual dues.

Send your dues to Piedmont Treasurer: Joe Wilhelm, 1285 Stony Ridge Rd., Pinnacle, NC 27043.

The 2009 Piedmont PFHA online Membership Directory online pages are being updated monthly.

Lynn Gallup
Membership Chair
info@gracewoodpasos.com

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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, Joe Wilhelm, 1285 Stony Ridge Rd., Pinnacle, NC 27043. 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.

The NC State Fair Horse Show will add a Paso Fino Youth Trail class for 2009!

Piedmont Open Circuit Horse Show Program

NEW 2009 Open Horse Show Update

The Open Show High Point program continues for 2009 with a few changes. Our contact person for points and information this year will be:
Karen Washburn
1550 6th St. S.E.
Hickory, NC 28602
Email – karensarisca@yahoo.com
828 291-4589

Please send, call or email Karen with your Open Show points and information. If you have any questions about the shows please contact Karen or:
Jeanne Griggs:
Email – jeanniegriggs@att.net
864 489-9397

The Spartanburg Horseman’s Association shows will be held on the third Saturday of every month February through November at 9:00 at Camp Croft State Park in Spartanburg, SC. For more information please go to www.shahorseshows.com.

The Lincoln County Horseman’s Association shows will be held at The Ponderosa on Startown Road in Lincolnton, NC on the first Saturday of the month. For more information please go to www.lchashows.org.
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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

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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; drfurr611@gmail.com.
• 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.lchashows.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 drfurr611@gmail.com.

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 drfurr611@gmail.com.

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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