Piedmont Member News

President's Message
Dear Piedmont members and friends,
We are sending the Password newsletter out in a mass mailing because we want to invite all Paso Fino owners within our region to Come Ride with Piedmont and see what we have to offer. The Piedmont region is the second largest in terms of member numbers in the Paso Fino Horse Association and is one of the most progressive and active of all the regions. Already for 2005 there are many activities planned for all parts of our region for the enjoyment of all our members and friends. Your new officers and directors and committee chairs are committed to making this the best association we can, but we cannot accomplish this without your input, cooperation, and support of our activities.

One of our first events will be a training clinic conducted by many of the Piedmont region's top trainers. This will be a good opportunity to polish your skills and get on track before the show and trail riding season starts in earnest. You can come with or without your horse, but either way the information will be invaluable. Send in the reservation form.

At the Clemson show we will have a membership meeting, which will be important for our national level exhibitors, because we will pick the judges for the 2005 National Show. If you want your opinion known, you must attend the meeting. We also will need to make some decisions about the Clemson show, because if it doesn't get good support this year, we may have to face the tough decision of canceling that show or trying to find another facility in a different part of our region. You would think that in a large equestrian area, there would be many other facilities available for us to use. Most facilities are booked year-round, so if we give up the Clemson dates it is unlikely that we could get them back. Your attendance at that show will speak volumes. We have planned a clinic and a novice and amateur-friendly schedule, so this is your perfect opportunity to get ring time.

The Asheville show should be even bigger than last year, with the 3rd annual "Dinner in the Dirt" and stallion exhibitions for Saturday evening. Prize money will again be awarded in amounts to rival that of the national show. Remember to get your futurity horses and stallions nominated to be able to show at Asheville. Exhibitors are coming from all over the east and from as far away as Colorado, so let's show them what southern hospitality and friendly competition are all about!

For the first time Piedmont will sponsor an all-youth show in July in Morristown, TN. We have commitments from other surrounding regions to help at this show, and we want to make this a showcase event. Classes are planned for youth riders who are new to the breed and may show in 4-H or open circuit shows. Youth championships, special classes, and a Mundial clinic will help make this a memorable weekend.

Your trail ride chairman and trail bosses are planning wonderful rides all around the region. Our attempt is to have one ride per month. We are putting together a clinic on trail safety, trail training, and competitive trail riding for later in the year. Several farms are offering fun shows which are excellent practice venues and promote the enjoyment of our breed to the public. I doubt that any other region offers the great variety of events that we do. I hope that you will have the time to participate in these well-planned activities and enjoy the companionship of your horses and your fellow Piedmont members.

Having just returned from the board meeting in Miami, I can tell you that many regions are facing crises because of lack of support or funds, and of great distances which prohibit participation in all but the most centrally located events. We are fortunate to have a relatively small region, which encompasses North and South Carolina and the western part of Virginia and southern end of West Virginia. While it is hard to reach everyone, we are attempting to have activities in as many places as possible. We appreciate suggestions and will respond to them all given limited time, resources, and personnel. I have to say that I am very proud to be a member of this region where the "show people" support the "trail people" and vice versa. There appears to be little jealousy and competition among the different groups but rather an overall sense of camaraderie, friendship, and overriding love of the Paso Fino breed.

Please read the Password (or this website) carefully because there is a great deal of information inside. If you are not currently a Piedmont member, we invite you to join and become "one of the family." If you want to have your name on the Piedmont email list for reminders or notices between newsletters, send your email address to mpminter60@aol.com. Contact us if you are interested in becoming involved or have suggestions of how to make this association, your association, better. I look forward to seeing you at our activities this year.
Milda Minter
Piedmont PFHA President

Welccome New Members
Keith & Lisa Gorsuch, Middlefield Farm, Taneytown, MD
Samuel and Patricia Bays, Mill Creek Horsienda, Reidsville, NC
Dolores Field, Urbanna, VA
Alice and Scott Grady, Bohannon, VA
Cheryl & Daniel Miller, Conover, NC

Alvaro Iriarte 2004 PFHA Hall of Fame Inductee
At the 2004 Grand National Paso Fino Horse Show our own Piedmont member, Alvaro Iriarte, was proudly inducted into the Paso Fino Horse Association’s Hall of Fame. As a Judge for over 30 years, Alvaro has gained the respect for his knowledge and integrity as a Senior Certified Judge with both PFHA and USEF. He has proudly judge the Grand National Show and World Cup Championship. In 1992, Alvaro was recognized by his peers as Trainer of the Year. From his insistence on a solid foundation to the polish of advanced training, his committment to horses entrusted to his training is evident. Congratulations to Alvaro Iriarte on his honorable induction into the Paso Fino Horse Association’s Hall of Fame.

Piedmont Training Clinic
The Piedmont Training Clinic will be held at Minter’s Rancho Paso Bravo in Lexington, NC on March 12-13, 2005. Learn from some of the best trainers in the country who reside in the Piedmont Region! The agenda will be available soon. Mail in your reservations with the Training Clinic form.

Heritage Farm Fun Show
The 3rd Annual Fun Show at Heritage Farm will be held on Saturday, April 2nd, in Lexington, NC. Classes are offered for Paso Finos along with many other “generic” gaited, English, Western, game and Conformation classes. There will be a raffle of a 2 yr old red dun Paso Fino gelding, El Destino de Greco, or “Desi”, for $5 per ticket, or 5 tickets for $20. All proceeds will benefit the Center United Methodist Church Christian Fellowship Center. This show will be promoted to the public and a breed display will be set up. Entry fees are reasonable and show attire is not required. Our Judge will be Ms. Alice Page of Kingsport, TN. A Coggins Test dated 4/3/04 or later will be required for entry onto the farm. Please contact Charlie or Milda Minter (336) 764-4785, if you want a class schedule or can sponsor a class.

Carolina Classic at Clemson, SC
The Carolina Classic is a double pointed show to be held on April 15, 16 & 17 at the T. Ed Garrison Arena at Clemson University. Our Judges for this year are Helen Frost for the Friday schedule, Javier Suarez and Mike Cumming for the Saturday and Sunday schedule. Helen Frost will be putting on a Show Clinic on Friday night. Exhibitors and their horses are welcome to participate. The Clinic will be preceded by a BBQ dinner. Saturday evening we will have a Pizza Party followed by our Piedmont PFHA membership meeting.

The show schedule will have several novice classes for the beginning exhibitors. This event will be an excellent start for the show season for both the experienced and beginning riders and horses. We look forward to an excellent show. If anyone has any questions regarding the Carolina Classic, please call Bill Kerns at (828) 883-5550.

Amateur Owner Clinic
It is time to register for the Amateur Owner Clinic at Startown Stables held April 25-29, 2005 conducted by Alvaro Iriarte. This intensive week long Clinic will offer you insight and thought provoking concepts on working with your Paso Fino from the master trainer, Alvaro Iriarte. The clinic focuses on the needs of the Amateur Owner rider. There will be hands on sessions with your horse in addition to lectures that will offer the tools and understanding you need to bring out the best in yourself and in your horse. This year’s clinic will be followed immediately by the 6th Annual Saddle Up for St. Jude Charity Fun Show. This will give you the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your newly learned skills in the show arena. Space is limited. Contact Startown Stables at (828) 465-3322 for more information and registration or visit the website www.startownstables.com.

St. Judes Charity Fun Show
Startown Stables is hosting the 6th Annual Saddle Up for St. Jude’s Paso Fino Show & Gala on Saturday, April 30th. This year’s event will feature the Paso Fino Fun Show where participants can practice their showmanship and exhibit their horses to the general public. Check out the Silent Auction table - last year’s event offered gift certificates to restaurants, spas, gift baskets and collectibles. There will be fun for the entire family! Don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets - Startown Stables once again has generously donated a Paso Fino Colt as the Grand Prize.

There are many opportunities for you to help! We need show sponsors, class sponsors, donations for the Silent Auction and much more! The participants in the show have the opportunity to be a “St. Jude Sponsored Rider” - each rider will collect pledges for their participation and be recognized for their special contribution. Last year Piedmont PFHA member, Pat Norman, was the highest sponsored rider, she said “it was easy to raise pledges, just ask everyone - they love to help St. Jude!” Call Startown Stables for more information at (828) 465-3322 or check out www.startownstables.com.

2005 NC State Fair Report
For 2005 Paso Finos will get a full day to themselves due to the fantastic turnout and support of exhibitors in 2004. So the Paso Finos will have ALL the outside and covered rings to “warmup”. While some breeds decreased their numbers showing, the Paso Finos were in full swing at the October 2004 show! The NC State Fair Show Advisory Committee members, Fred Moretti, Ali Casey and Lynn Gallup met with Glen Petty, Fair Show Manager, on January 4, 2005 to discuss details for this year’s Paso Fino Show. Plans are underway for 2005 to be another exciting show.

Because of our enthusiastic 2004 exhibitors, we can expand out class schedule also. Performance will be expanded to the same as Pleasure with Open and A/O split by Mares, Geldings and Stallions. Youth classes will be expanded: Horsemanship will be split to Sub-Junior and Junior, and there will be an Advanced Equitation Silver Medal Equitation class offered. Walk-Corto Leadline is newly offered for our youngest riders and disabled riders, too! Specialty classes will expand with Trail offered, so plan and practice your Trail Obstacles.

We plan a Parade of Flags to kick off the evening session, followed by the festive crowd pleaser Costume class. Now everyone will have noticed and time to plan and put together a costume. This show draws many more Non-Paso Fino spectators than our others, so we want to put on a SHOW for them! We are hoping to get some TV news coverage this year for Evening Show starting off....either Live 6:00 news or to be shown at 11pm news! Piedmont will be able to set up their breed display booth in a well-traveled area for Fair goes who would like more information on Paso Finos and Piedmont PFHA.

Make plans to attend this year. Mark your calendars for Monday, October 17th. There is prize money, including Bella Formas Championship thru 5th place. Plus entry fee is very reasonable per class which covers both Judges. Since it is a USEF Show you will get 4 sets of points. Ali & Paul Casey of Flat Rock Farm has graciously agreed to host a bar-be-que pig pickin’ again the evening before the show. This show is also the start of the new show year for Piedmont points towards Year End High Point Awards. See all your old Piedmont friends there and meet some new ones too!
L ynn Gallup, NC State Fair Paso Fino Show Chairperson

Congratulations to Predilecta del Fuego, the 2004 #1 PFHA Top Ten Dam
This mare was sired by the stallion El Gran Lio Que nota owned by Bill Minter. Hechicera PM, the 2004 PFHA High Point Horse, is the offspring of Predilecta del Fuego that helped her win this honor. Hechicera PM was previously owned by Piedmont members Bill Minter of Lexington, NC, Paul "Woody" Mercer of McArthur, OH and Alan Dwayne Tilley of Winston Salem, NC. Predilecta del Fuego is owned by Jo Ann Douglas of Beloit, Ohio.

Piedmont Notices

The Open Horse Show Judges Certification Clinic is February 5-6, 2005 in Raleigh, sponsored by the N.C. Horse Council. Course information can be found at: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/an_sci/extension/horse/hhmain.html

2005 Piedmont Futurity Reminder
The Piedmont Futurity continues to grow. See the Futurity Stallion listing and a nomination form. Any offspring from a nominated stallion is eligible to enter the Futurity Classes and, once nominated, each horse can show until its eligibility is finished. Futurity classes are shown at Asheville, along with regular show classes during the Saturday/Sunday show. Remember, the absolute deadline is June 1, 2005 for horses to show in the 2005 Futurity. Geldings have a chance to show every year from yearlings to 5yr olds. Don’t miss this opportunity to win extra money at Asheville! If you have any questions, call Milda Minter (336) 764-4785 or email mpminter60@aol.com.

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!

Piedmont Membership
There is a new printable size Piedmont membership form online you can use. 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). If you have not renewed your 2004 membership, you will not receive the Password edition. There is a new Trail Ride Guest Membership category available for one trail ride at $10.00.

Important Piedmont News Deadlines
Piedmont PFHA Website 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... Have you and your horse, your child or friend accomplished something you would like to see in print and share with the rest of our region? Did you have a great time at a Piedmont event, and would like to let others know what they missed? Would you like to encourage a new Paso Fino enthusiast publicly? If so, please send it to Lori West. I am asking each of you to help by providing news and photos.

Since I am an active exhibitor in the shows, I don't get to actually see many of the classes, and will not know about the highlights at these events unless each of you share them with me. Please, don't be shy, let us put your achievement in print. If you would like to be a "volunteer reporter" for the column, please let me know. I am not a reporter, but a coordinator, so please do not wait to be asked about your accomplishment, send it to me. The quality of the news that is published will be 100% dependent on you, our members and leadership, to take a much more proactive stance to make sure that the information you most want to see in the magazine gets in there. Let's show folks what fun we're having and why being a member of Piedmont is a great thing!
Paso Fino Horse World news specifics:

Deadline for submission of news for the Piedmont article is the first day of each month. There is a 60 day print publishing deadline, so early submission is essential. Photos can be scanned and emailed at 300 dpi resolution, or send prints to me with a stamped, self addressed envelope for their return. Most digital cameras by default take shots at only 72 dpi, not very good for printing. Please adjust your cameras to take the highest quality photo possible. Send news to: Lori West, 74 Gibbs Road, Leicester, NC 28748 or email to lorihwest@yahoo.com. Lori's phone: 828-683-1793; Fax: 425-963-5074.

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 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 contact Lynn Gallup or see the Advertising page for more info.
• Farm and Membership Directory Email and/or Website URL Links
  Don't you want your website 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

Southern States Feed Program
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 Milda Minter, by mailing or giving them to her at any Piedmont event. Thank you for taking the time to support the Futurity through this program.

Piedmont PFHA and Country Supply
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.

Piedmont Trail Ride News

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 2005 includes all our favorite places to ride, plust 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.

For those that are new to our Association, we try to offer rides to accomodate the needs of all our riders. Trails are selected for location and terrain that is geared toward the gaited horse. To ensure the enjoyment of all the riders, Trail Hosts generally lead two groups, those that prefer a slower pace and one for those that prefer a faster pace. The main goal is to arrive for lunch at the same time to enjoy fellowship with other riders.

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 Ettiquette
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 Ride Calendar
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 website, 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.

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©Piedmont Paso Fino Horse Association, 2003-2005
Photos courtesy of Piedmont PFHA members
photos: Bill Minter, Dwayne Tilley, Lynn Gallup

Updated March 1, 2005
Published March 9, 2003
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