Stoner Ridge Farm News
Happy New Year
January 2006

Congratulations Kentucky Horse Park
News Flash

The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, 
Kentucky is awarded the contract for the 2010
World Equestrian Games!!!!

Everyone in Kentucky is so excited to have to opportunity to host the World Equestrian Games. It will be the first time the Games have been held outside Europe. It is estimated to be the largest sporting event to ever be held in the state. There is expected to be over 300,000 spectators during the course of the 14 day event which will be held in September/October 2010. Economic revenue is expected to top the $100,000,000 mark as visitors to the area vie for the 7,500 hotel rooms located in Lexington.

Already, plans are being made to make the Kentucky Horse Park an even better facility than it is now. While John Nicholson (Winchester) plans to keep the same style the facility has enjoyed for over 27 years, a new 6,000 seat arena is in the planning stages. It will have private boxes and space on the concourse for vendors. They hope to have it completed by 2009. A new hotel is also being planned to help accommodate the number of tourists expected to visit Lexington for the event.

Kentucky will reap untold benefits from securing the World Equestrian Games. Not only will it provide economic benefits but it will also firmly secure the title Lexington has had challenged recently as being the Horse Capital of the World.

The World Equestrian Games will also provide an awesome opportunity to learn about all different disciplines of riding. From dressage, to reining, to eventing, to endurance - we love it all. At Stoner Ridge Farm, we are so excited to have the opportunity to see and to experience an event we may only have only read about or watched on RFD-TV. We can't believe it will be so close to home. If you all want tickets, you all will just have to follow us because we plan to be the first in line. 

Excitement on the Horizon

The New Year will bring even more excitement and enjoyment for Robert & Lyngle and Don & Nancy who recently purchased Merry Go Blue in partnership. Max (as he is known around the barn) is an outstanding black stallion from the Tim line. He is absolutely gorgeous with a long neck that comes straight up out of his shoulders. He has a small throat latch and a beautiful head. If you want to put a little power and pizzazz in your herd, Merry Go Blue is ready, willing, and able. He is currently at VanBert Farms. Contact SRF or VBF to book your mares for breeding in 2006.

Camaraderie? You bet!

There is a certain rivalry among our Mountain Horse trainers that won't escape even the least observant horse show spectators. Certainly everyone covets the blue ribbon and that thrill of victory. We want to win. We want our clients to win. When trainers fall short of a certain goal, you'll see handshakes or hear words offering encouragement.

The beauty lies in what spectators don't see - it is the camaraderie within the rivalry that is impressive. Perhaps it is loaning a competitor a special one-of-a-kind bit that will help a challenging horse. It may loaning a shirt, or a vest, or a tie. Maybe it is a shared tip someone has learned that will help in tough situation. 

These folks, these trainers, are heroes in my book. Sure, they are fierce competitors who work hard to help their horses be the very best they can be. It really isn't just the "win." There is great satisfaction in being chosen first because it supports an individual's effort as a trainer and validates their knowledge and abilities. If you haven't witnessed this level of camaraderie yet, just keep watching. I think it is one of those well kept secrets that trainers tough guy exterior. Keep it under your hat. They don't need to know that their little secret is out of the bag. . .

Thank You

A round of applause is well earned for a couple more folks-good people and good friends who have been so supportive this year and many other previous years. Brenda Watson is always so thoughtful to bring us fried chicken and fixins'! We'd starve with out her at the shows. She and Larry deserve a pat on the back for their loyalty since we first began training. We also need to give a hug and thanks to Val Kleinheitz for the fabulous gift certificate to the Planet Salon (for Lyngle <G>).

Alice and Guy Snyder - Satisfied Customers

Last summer, Alice and Guy Snyder came to Kentucky looking for an exceptional gelding for Alice. They made appointments and traveled around trying out several horses. Alice was not in the market for a stallion, but when she saw Newsmaker, she was instantly attracted to his beauty and excellent temperament. We'd been working him for several months and he had learned his lessons well. Alice and Guy spent quite a bit of time with us. By the end of our week together, Alice was able to take her new 3 year-old stallion through the trail obstacle course using her specially designed bareback pad instead of a saddle. We too, are thrilled that the Alice and Guy are continuing to enjoy Tango and that they are growing and learning together. Congratulations!

See Letter:

Oh What a Year!

As we reflect back over what has quickly become "last year," we have so much for which to be thankful. Simply put, it was Stoner Ridge Farm's best year yet. We are thankful for our families, our clients, our auxiliary staff, and our trainers. We appreciate the many awards that have been won by our clients and trainers: Super Horse, Rea Swan Versatility, Amateur Versatility, Juvenile Versatility, Junior Robinson Memorial, Futurities, State Championships, Grand Championships, and many High Point Awards. We've sold great horses, and we've bought great horses. We formed new relationships and new partnerships. 

It has been an exciting year in many ways. The acquisition of the new UMH property will provide many new opportunities as the Mountain Horse Equestrian Center is developed. The development of our lesson and clinic programs has been exciting. We were invited to Utah and Virginia to conduct clinics where we met some wonderful folks. Our 'students' - both amateur and juvenile riders - have excelled in the show ring and won awards in their divisions. 

We're so thankful for each one of YOU who has been part of the whole process of who we are and what we do.

We're looking forward to a fantastic 2006. We're so excited that you will be there to make that journey with us. It's going to be another great year!

Happy Birthday Robert

Congratulations to Robert on surviving another birthday. Isn't it amazing how we want the day to pass quietly once we've accumulated more than 30 years or so. 

Fortunately, there are advantages to being beyond the 'formative' years. Don and Nancy pointed that out to Robert the other day when they came with a special tee-shirt that seemed to fit the occasion. On the front were these words of wisdom <G>:

Age and treachery
will triumph over youth
and skill

While reading the book Horse Sense the other day, I ran into this quote:

"The old believe everything; the middle-age suspect everything; the young know everything." 

I'll let you decide which category to embrace. I wouldn't want to be pointing any fingers. To everything there is a season . .

Remember . . . 
It's time to renew your association
memberships

Mountain Rhythm Riders and UMH Proudly Present the Annual Spring Fling March 24th & 25th

United Mountain Horse Equestrian Center, Kiddville Rd., Winchester, KY

Robert Lawson and the trainers from SRF will be among the clinicians 
White Elephant Auction Saturday - Bring auction item for $2 discount

Extreme Make Over ( Horse Edition ) - Friday, March 24th

You won't want to miss the 2006 Spring Fling. It's bigger and better than ever. So big in fact, that we've expanded the program to two days. On Friday, March 24th, several outstanding clinicians will gather on the UMH property to share their knowledge of shoeing, bitting, equitation, equine dentistry, saddle fit, gait, and versatility. They will be working with individuals who have pre-registered to receive an Extreme Make Over for their horse! If you are having trouble setting a horse's head, struggling with gait, or you want to learn to show, clinicians will work with you and your horse individually in order to help establish that important partnership with your equine companion. Whatever shortcomings you believe you or your horse may have, our clinicians will help you overcome them and gain confidence. Whether you show or trail ride, getting the most from your horse will pave the way to success.

Trainers' Challenge - Saturday, March 25th

If you want to see Mountain Horse training at its best, be sure to return for the Trainers' Challenge on Saturday. Last year's competition was unbelievable. What our trainers can do with an untrained horse in as little as three hours is phenomenal! We saw horses accepting the noise of chain saws, fireworks, and gun fire. They were calm and willing as they as they maneuvered through the final test - the trail obstacle course. Our trainers did an outstanding job of providing a solid foundation for these young horses. They were a sight to see. We have openings this year and trainers will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Space is limited so don't delay. Fill out the form below and send it in before the March 15th deadline. Richie Wingfield, a certified Josh Lyons trainer, will be our judge. 

There will be a $10 gate charge ($5 juveniles 12-17 and 11 and under free)

There will be cash paybacks to the winners!