Preparations are well under way for one of the most exciting events of the year-the UMH World Show held at the Mercer County Fair Grounds in historic Harrodsburg, KY. Pre-reservations have been made, hotel rooms at the Days Inn have been confirmed, and stalls in barn 10 have been chosen. 

The theme for this year's show is "A World of Stars." We're working on decorations for the barn and hope everyone will be seeing stars before the end of the week.

Thank you again to everyone who so willingly contributed to the double Diamond Sponsorship this year. The ad looks great. 

Lots will be going on. Don't forget the Associates Meeting Luncheon which will be held on Wed., Aug. 16th, 30 minutes after the Breeders' Cup classes. The Exhibitors' Party is Friday, Aug. 18th, right after class 114. We usually have a DJ and really enjoy a great time at the party.

An opportunity is available for Diamond Sponsors to make trophy and/or ribbon presentations. If you'd like to participate, we'll be glad to set it up for you or you can talk to the folks in the show office.

Everyone's horses are working really well. We're excited about the many opportunities to show during this spectacular week and the numerous awards there are for your horses to win.

We'll move horses on Sunday and be at the fair grounds throughout the week.

We can't wait to see everyone and get the chance to visit. Don't forget our box seats which are located on the left side of the area. You and your families are welcome to sit together with us. See you there! 

Congratulations

We'd like to congratulate Steve Heuslein on his purchase of Silver Sundown last week. Silver has been showing in the 3 yo Stallions/Geldings Classic class and in the Amateur Classic Class. He is such a good boy!.
Again, Congrats!

First Rocky Mountain Horses born in UK

Congratulations to Paul Robard and Caroline Green of Green Stud Farm in the UK (Gracie's owners). They have had the first two RMH/KMSHA foals to be born in England. Valentine's filly is by Hammertime and Green Farm's April Dawn's colt is by Diamond Dock. Paul & Caroline are excited. The foals are outstanding!

On any given Saturday night, you'll be able to find Stoner Ridge Farm and friends at a horse show. Usually, we'll be showing ourselves, but even if we're not, we're probably out there watching. We even enjoy seeing what horses outside our own breed can do. Watching horses learn and perform is fascinating.

What owners don't always see though is the countless hours spent training horses to understand our cues, learning to give to pressure, and teaching them to trust us. There is so much for them to learn.

Our horses' show performance depends on many factors but the one element that is the most important is how well we've taught them over the course of the week. We have to assess their strengths and weaknesses and adjust our lessons to their needs. Robert often tells our riders, "Classes are won during the week and the blue ribbons are simply picked up on Saturday night."

Our goal at the farm is to help horses become the best they can be at whatever they are best suited. . . Country Trail to Park. It really depends on the build and mentality of the horse itself. A horse may never be shown but have great value as a trail companion.

We appreciate the hard work of our trainers and staff members here at SRF. It doesn't matter if it's raining, hot, cold, or the Fourth of July . . . they are here riding . . . and training - helping their horses learn the ropes. It is a time consuming effort, but well worth the investment.

Think about the functional life of a horse . . .let's say it is 25 years. Many folks own a horse for its entire lifetime. If we spend a year (or two) building a solid foundation for our horse, it is really a short amount of time in the long run. We shouldn't rush our horses (or ourselves). Horses are always learning. It is up to us to help them learn the right things and mould them into what we want them to be. We're all winners when we can enjoy our horses whether it is in the show ring, on the trail, or at home.

If I were to wish for anything, I should
not wish for wealth and power, but for
the passionate sense of potential - for the 
eye which, ever young and ardent, sees
the possible . . .

Soren Kierlegaard

Welcome

We'd like to welcome Dick Roby from Rockin' Ridge Farm back to Stoner Ridge Farm. He brought us a beautiful, black two year old filly out of Foxie Roxie by Chocolate Venture named Perfect Venture. She's already been started and Charlie is working to get her ready for the big shows this fall. She'll be showing in the classic division. Welcome!

New Construction

We've built ten new stalls on the back of the barn.

We're still looking for the right fronts but hope to have the new stalls done soon.

RMH International

The time has come to make stall reservations for the RMH International Show that will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park Sept. 12-16. TLC Equine Services will be managing the show this year and they require pre-payment for stalls which is $120 for the week. This amount is included on this month's invoice. Pre-entries are not required. The show bill is available on the RMH web site www.rmhorse.com.

Show Update

SRF and crew traveled to New Castle, IN for the Indiana Celebration July 8-9. Everyone was so nice and so appreciative of our horses. Only about 25 horses were there but they were among the best out there competing. We were glad that Don & Nancy Copland and Judy Brummer could attend. Congratulations to Judy and Lady in the CTP Amateur class. Lyngle won on Silver in her Amateur class as well. Hats off to Pepper for winning in the multi-breed trail obstacle and to Thunder for his close second place. Merry Go Blue and Sandman won their stallion classes. Jazzy, Merry Go Blue, and Sandman won their championship classes and Gail placed second in her championship! Good job everyone. 

Estill County was a well attended show. We had many local folks come out. Our horses had a hard time with the mud but most did well in their classes. 

Rudy's Ranch (only an A Show) was lightly attended. The rain kept exhibitors away due to the muddy conditions of the ring. Congratulations to our winners: Silver (with both Erin & Lyngle), Pepper, Lady, Thunder, Merry Go Blue, and Sandman. Gracie made an outstanding show and placed second in the Mares Trail Pleasure class and Good Deed placed fourth in the Geldings Trail Pleasure class. There were only two championships - Classic and Park - Congratulations to Merry Go Blue and Sandman for their first place wins.