Robert & Lyngle Lawson, 2469 Clintonville Rd., Paris, KY

Contact Information

Home: 859.988.9092  Cell: 859.749.3008

sales@stonerridgefarm.com

2007 - Another Great Year

January is the time of the year to look back and remember. We sure have had some great times with friends at the farm, at shows, and at clinics. Our horses (we all lay claim to YOUR horses here at the farm you know) have also accomplished so much and have experienced many successes.

Barb’s Stormy Knight, much loved gelding belonging to Don and Nancy, has had another phenomenal year winning over 25 blue ribbons. He will win the UMH Gelding Trail High Point award for the second time. For the third time, he won the Rea Swan Versatility Award and for the first time, he won the UMH Western World Grand Championship with Robert up. Another great distinction for Stormy is the fact that he has won a Western Grand Championship and a major Versatility Award in all three Mountain Horse Associations: UMH, RMH, and KMSHA. Woo Hoo!

We have been tracking his AGMH accomplishments and realized he only needed one more under saddle World Grand Championship to receive a Platinum Under Saddle Merit Award. The Western WGC class allowed him to accomplish this goal. Two years ago, he was awarded Platinum Versatility. Because he is now double Platinum, Stormy will be inducted into the AGMH Hall of Fame. It is quite an accomplishment considering the only two other members thus far are Choco Dock and Storm Warning. How cool is that? Congratulations to Don and Nancy! Their dedication to Stormy and to his training have been outstanding. Stormy has also been great fun for Ella, Don and Nancy’s granddaughter in the lead line class and for James and Rachel to ride here on the farm. What a great horse! For 2008 (like 2006) Stormy will be enjoying some time at home in Brookville. We’ll miss him but know Nancy and her family will really enjoy their time spent with him at home.

While we’ve had a great time with Stormy, there are other horses we’ve enjoyed watching make super progress this year. I have thoroughly enjoyed riding and showing Steve’s horse, SRF’s Silver Sundown this year. The times I won were great but the trail rides were pretty special as well. I had never thought I could show a stallion but he is definitely something special. Silver has won over 15 blue ribbons this year. He won the Ladies Auxiliary and the Stidham Memorial Classic Championships. He’s won conformation and trail obstacle classes as well. All his various riders (Erin, Charlie, Steve, and me) have had multiple winning rides on this fantastic guy. Silver will win the UMH Four Year Old Stallion Classic High Point Award this year.

Gaitway’s Jasmine Joy, is also owned by Steve. She won several classes with him. She also won the UMH Open Jr. Horse Western Championship with Robert and reserve WGC Western Horse with Charlie. She has become a very talented trail obstacle horse too. Congratulations to Steve and all he has accomplished with his horses this year!

Another outstanding horse in our show line-up last year was C.D.’s Crown Jewel who belongs to Doug and Jill Drenik. She is a beautiful filly that did well under saddle, in conformation, and in trail obstacle competition. Charlie rode her to win or place reserve in most of her classes. She will win reserve High Point 3 Year Old Classic Fillies and reserve 2 and 3 Year Old Conformation for 2007.

One of the very best park horses in the industry was started by Jill last year. She brought her to Stoner Ridge when she came for lessons herself. Robert’s Rockin’ Rosey just kept coming on. Every time Jill brought her, she was better than she was the week before. Jill would ride her at home and Charlie would ride her and help Jill with her when she was here. Charlie, of course, wanted to ride Rosey more so Jill started leaving her during the week. We all kept wondering if she was classic or park. We kept waiting for Rosey to help us decide which way she was going to go. Well, by the World Show, Robert and Charlie decided she would not be able to compete in the classic division any longer. It turned out to be a great decision to move her up because Rosey won the 3 and 4 Year Old Park World Grand Championship!  She has the potential to be one of the best park horses (not only the best park mare) ever. She was awesome! Congratulations to Jill & Doug and Charlie!

Continuing with the shining stars is Sands of Time - another great horse owned by Doug and Jill (pictured at the top of the next column). Sands and Charlie were definitely the highlight of the RMH International. They were waiting for the water glass class to be tied when Ross Rote began using his rope and showing off just a little. Well he and Charlie got into a friendly game of “anything you can do, I can do better.” It was a real audience pleaser. Sands went on to win the class. He competed in the geldings trail classes and trail obstacle winning the UMH World Junior Horse Trail Obstacle class. Congratulations!

Jill and Doug also had a good year with FR’s Apollo who won the Two Year Old KMSHA Futurity. He is such a handsome guy. Brian spent lots of time helping Apollo learn his lessons well. They made a great team.

FR Toco’s Double T came out strong at the beginning of 2007. He won most of his gelding trail classes and some championships. He will be the reserve UMH Country Trail Pleasure Stallions and Geldings High Point and KMSHA High Point winner. Toco has been purchased by Joe and Sandy Minard. I’m sure they will thoroughly enjoy him.

Our weanlings both did very well in the show arena last year. Precious Ray of Hope won the KMSHA International Weanling championship and placed reserve in the weanling obstacle course. Robert was very pleased with her performance. Her owner, Susie Kline, was ecstatic. Way to go Hope. Derby Blue was also an outstanding baby. Congratulations to Derby on winning the RMH International Weanling Championship with Charlie as his handler. He was awesome! Merry Go Blue babies have been blessed with the wonderful characteristics of their poppa! Congratulations to Don and Nancy and this great baby!

Don and Nancy had another great horse in Pepper’s Just Plain Pretty who won the RMH Western Grand Championship with Brian up. Pepper was a strong competitor in versatility as well and will win the UMH High Point Versatility Award this year. She will also win the UMH Four Gait and Reserve KMSHA Four Gait High Point. Erin and Pepper have learned a great deal from one another winning over 15 blue ribbons this year alone. Pepper was also Erin’s dressage horse and they made a great team. Since Erin’s expecting, she’s turning the reins over to Charlie for the coming year. Pepper is enjoying some turn out time right now but she’ll be back to defend her titles next year.

Patches Pride of Ebony (a.k.a. April) was shown part of the year winning several blues with Brian. She will win the Spotted Western High Point award this year.

Erin had a great time with LS Groovy Gumdrop owned by Frank and Nancy Puckett. She is as smooth as silk and is so sweet natured. Charlie also enjoyed showing Knight’s Sudden Storm who did well in his first under saddle class in October. In addition, Charlie and Brian worked with Gary Seibert and his Morgan horses. They have made great progress. Sundance is just learning the ropes but he’s showing a lot of talent. Brian did a great job with Diamond Girl owned by Randall Stutman. She competed in Mares Trail, Western, Trail Obstacle, and Juvenile classes. Ben did well winning the KMSHA Trail Obstacle Juvenile High Point. Ben also showed in the western juvenile classes.

Charlie showed several nice horses in the UMH Men’s Trail Class and will win the High Point award like he did last year. I will place 3rd in the Ladies Open Classic. Congratulations to all these horses and to their owners. Your support allows us to do what we do. 

We had the opportunity to work with several other fine horses that were never put in a show ring this year. Even though we love to show and do well most of the time, our focus is to develop the relationship between the horses we train and their handlers. It is such a satisfying feeling to see horses advance in their training to become a calm, gentle mount for their owners.

We’ve had so many good times, not only at the shows, but right here at the farm. It has been an absolute thrill to watch James and Rachel improve their riding skills this year. There’s nothing like watching them with their huge smiles gaiting around the barn. It’s just too cool!

When Robert’s regulars (Jill, Nancy Copland, Nancy Puckett) and other clients come to take lessons or to watch their horses work, there’s lots of teaching but sometimes I don’t know if there’s more learning or more laughing going on. They hoot and holler and just have a great time. We hope everyone has as much fun as we have.

There is so much that has happened this year to help make it awesome! Robert and crew made new friends at clinics in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. They also attended Jill and Doug’s clinic with Larry Whitesell in Dec. 

As great as it’s been, 2007 is now history and we’ll move on to a new chapter in our lives. Who knows what good times with our horses, families, and friends are waiting in the new year. 

Mark Your Calendar for 2008

UMH Judge’s Clinic

Murfreesboro, TN will once again be the site of the UMH Judge’s Clinic for 2008. Dr. Wayne Hipsley will be conducting the Mountain Horse training. Robert will be returning from South Carolina so he may have Charlie meet him in Murfreesboro on Thursday. The Mountain Horse segment will be Friday. They will finish late that afternoon and return home. Let us know if you’d like to go. It is a great time to learn and hear the comments from the 2008 prospective judges.

Remember . . .

It’s time to renew your memberships.

UMH Banquet

On January 12th there will be a UMH membership meeting at the Holiday Inn North in Lexington, KY at 11:00 A.M. Brunch will be served. President, Paula Morgan will highlight rule changes and new programs for 2008. The UMH Banquet will be held at 6:00 P.M. There will be a Meadowbrook cart raffle. Tickets are $25 each. These may be ordered in advance or at the banquet. Only 100 tickets will be sold. Also - Please bring an item for the silent auction. All items are welcome (horsey items or not).

Making it Possible

As we look toward the future we are always wondering what we can do to enhance our training program. How can we make it even better? After lots of thought, we’ve decided to build a covered arena. We’re looking at an 84’ x 207’ metal structure. It will be built on the site of our current outdoor arena. We’ll simply round out the sides and put a fence around the dressage pad in the back so we can continue to ride outside when weather permits. It is exciting to think of the clinics and lessons that we’ll be able to have without worrying about the wet weather. A round pen will also fit inside. You all will be able to ride in more comfort when you’re here. We just can’t wait. 

New Employees Join the SRF Staff

Since Brian moved to OK and Erin’s not been riding, we’ve been short handed. We are glad to add Logan Banks, Kevin Kiper, and Leonel Zamudio to the SRF staff. 

Logan lives in Winchester where he attends GRC High School. He was actually in one of the groups of second graders that came on a field trip here (several years ago). He has ridden horses at other farms and he has a strong desire to learn. Logan has a great work ethic and we’re looking forward to working with him during his breaks from school.

Kevin will begin working here on Jan. 2nd. He has been riding horses since he was a little boy. Kevin is no stranger to the show ring so he will be a great asset to have on staff - especially during show season. Kevin has also started several horses. This winter, he will focus on starting three or four horses that belong to Robert and me as he learns our Foundation First philosophies. He’s attending Bluegrass Community and Technical College and will be working here when he’s not in class.

Leonel joined us last week and will be helping Cesario. Welcome everyone!

******************************************************

I heard this quote the other day . . .can’t even remember where it was but there is great truth to it.

If you don’t know where you are going, how are you ever
going to know if you get
there?

(I’m making plans . . . and setting goals. I really don’t want to live the life of a drifter . . . “Hey, Bob . . . . Honey . . . Uh . . . are you busy? I might need just a little help with this. . . .”)

Stoner Ridge Farm Mission Statement

Our mission at Stoner Ridge Farm 
 is to serve the needs 
 of our clients and their horses. 
  We utilize proven horsemanship techniques to reduce horses’ fear as we teach them to

respect their handlers.  
 Within the structure of our training program, we

make adjustments to meet  
the unique needs and talents of each animal  with the goal that every horse meets his highest potential whether it is on the trail, in the show ring, or in the breeding

of potential offspring. 
We desire, also, to build trust and friendship as we help educate our clients on the selection, safety, and effective ownership of their

equine companions.  
 In addition, it is our aim to gain knowledge through professional activities and organizations that influence the

Mountain Horse industry.

Moving Forward . . . Together

“If you build it. . . he will come,” is an unforgettable quote made famous in The Field of Dreams. It is the story of an Iowa farmer who hears the mysterious words and is compelled to build a baseball diamond in the middle of his cornfield. The idealistic farmer is either a visionary or a deluded fool, but his persistence is rewarded when spirits from baseball's past begin appearing on the ball field. Past dreams of baseball glory are relived. As the story concludes, the passion of baseball combines with the richness of family, memory, and faith. So it is with our horses.

When we have a grand passion . . . whether it is baseball, NASCAR, or our love of horses we have strong opinions and strong desires. We may be a dubbed a “visionary or a deluded fool” but one thing is for sure, whatever the passion, we put our whole heart into what we treasure.

As Robert and I have learned, whether we show or trail ride, raise babies, or do dressage there are many, many, ways to accomplish our goals and dreams. There are countless ways to enjoy our horses and our lives because of them.

Our passion at SRF is helping horses and people learn and grow. It is reflected in our mission statement. We want to help men and women, boys and girls enjoy their horses even more than they already do. We want to help you move in the direction of your dreams. Let us know where you want to go. Perhaps the new arena will help keep it from raining on our parade <G>. It will make life (and training) easier for all of us.

Likewise, we are hoping that life will be even better for Kentucky’s equestrian community with the development of the Kentucky Equestrian Center (see below).

Kentucky Equestrian Center

The Vision: A facility that will serve the most demanding needs of the world equestrian community, located at the gateway to the rolling hills of Eastern Ky. It will be a facility that will serve the local community and the state as well as national and world level competitions for all equestrian disciplines.

It is a dream we have all had for a long time. . . having a place, not only to show horses, but a place where we can build a legacy to the horse - especially the horse that originated right here in Kentucky.

The construction on the barns began last year along with a stadium obstacle course, dressage pads, and a cross-county course. It is shaping up to be a facility that will meet the needs of many different disciplines.

We all hope that the outdoor arena can be ready for the World Show this year. Harrodsburg is expensive to rent and we’d love to have the show at the Equestrian Center in 2008. Contributions to the tax deductible 501 (c)(3) are being sought. If you can help move the dream along contact Don Copland, Foundation President.

Stoner Ridge Farm News