Stoner Ridge Farm News

 Robert & Lyngle Lawson

2469 Clintonville Rd., Paris, KY 40361

859.988.9092 or 859.749.3008

March 1, 2006

 Happy St. Patrick’s Day

 Opportunities to Learn

     February provided many opportunities for Mountain Horse owners and trainers to learn techniques of the trade.

     The Morgan show on February 16th was the beginning of our clinics.  Robert was invited by Gary Seibert to speak about gait.  He explained the lateral movement of our horses as Charlie rode Chance, Gary’s gaited Morgan.  They also took Gary’s yearling filly “Blu” to help in the demonstration.

     On February 18th, the Ladies’ Auxiliary sponsored a clinic held at FairWinds Farm.   Even though the roads were slick here in Kentucky, over 40 people turned out to teach or learn from one another.  We were thrilled to welcome Pam and Steve Heuslein all the way from MN.  Nancy Copland also made the trip from IN.  Everyone had a great time learning about showmanship, equitation, , versatility training, conformation, make-up, showing in halter and on and on.  Clinicians included Robert, H.T. Derickson, Vanessa Crowe, Wilda Derickson, Natalie Wright, Julie Addington and others.  Thanks to the youth for organizing lunch and to the clinicians!  Everyone learned lots of valuable information that will help throughout the show season.

     The Judges’ Clinic was held the following weekend at Murfreesboro, TN (see related article below).  Robert, Erin, Charlie, Don, Nancy and folks from FairWinds, VanBert and Rockin Ridge Farm took horses for demonstration.  Praise abounded for the UMH philosophy and Mountain Horses in general (Woo Hoo!).

     That same weekend the SRF crew (joined by Lyngle) stayed in Murfreesboro for the Road to the Horse competition. We saw presentations from Clinton Anderson and each of the clinicians.  Here’s a snippet from each clinician:

Stacy Westfall entered the arena riding with no bridle. All the time she rode, she described her early experiences with horses.  As a trainer, she stressed the importance of maintaining a relationship with your horse.  A philosophy that helped her become the first woman to win the Road to the Horse.

Martin Black told the audience that there were many jobs he could do and make more money but he enjoyed the horse.  He recognized that there were many roads that one could take in training that lead to the same end.  His style was that of the age-old Spanish cowboys.  Martin talked about how he wants his horses to “seek relief” as opposed to the popular expression “give to pressure.”  He said he taught horses more through experiences rather than repetition and encouraged folks to adapt any of his techniques to their program. 

Van Hargis received over 1,300 emails from last year’s challenge experience.  His concept of training is to teach the horse to “get me to leave him alone.”  He had many expressions that held much truth:  firm hands make a light horse, you can’t sacrifice his (the horse’s) well-being for my ego, and where you release is what you teach.  He also said, “He who waits the longest is the trainer”- all good adages to train by.

Craig Cameron claims that you can judge a good cowboy by his horse.  He says that horsemanship is a thinking man’s (woman’s) game.  He suggested to everyone that if they don’t want to learn, they    should just go get a Harley.  Craig said training was about working with the mind of a horse.  He said, “Now, I’m not talking about a sugar cube.” He had a great sense of humor.  He even pretended to get a call on his cell phone from Clinton Anderson . . . It was a hoot!  He told us he loved good athletes—in all disciplines.  Craig said that a champion is a man that never quits. He encouraged us to work with our horses in an atmosphere of freedom.  We can’t make our horse give us his confidence or his respect.  Anything, he said, that is worthwhile takes time.

     It was a great competition.  We congratulate Stacy Westfall and her win.  We can’t wait until next year when Stacy will return to be challenged by Chris Cox and Clinton Anderson.  Check out www.roadtothehorse.com for information and the future site of next year’s competition.

Special Dates of Interest for March – May

Spring Fling Clinics—March 24th

Trainers’ Challenge-March 25th

Madison County, KY—April 1st

KMSHA Spring Jubilee-Arpil 7th and 8th

Carson Masters Spring Premier—April 14th and 15th

Wolfe Co.—April 28

Trail Ride– May 5th and 6th

North Middletown—May 13th

Clark Co. — May 19th

Ladies Auxiliary — May 27th at Madison Co.

Go to: www.unitedmountainhorse.org for more important dates

UMH Judge’s Clinic

     The Stoner Ridge Farm crew traveled to Murfreesboro, TN on Feb 25-26 for the annual UMH Judge’s Clinic.  In coordination with Don Bell and the Pleasure Division of the NWHA, UMH conducts a clinic for prospective judges.  Ethics, UMH rules, way of going divisions, and conformation were discussed in depth.  This year, there were approximately 20 horses that were used in live demonstration to assist the judge trainees with placing horses in the proper divisions and in the proper order.  SRF horses fared well and showed up in the top 25% most of the time.

      Dr. Whitaker talked about the conformation of our Mountain Horses and how UMH is doing the right thing as far as providing divisions for them all.  He had nothing but praise for what the association is doing for the breeds.  He reminded judges how important their decisions are in influencing the breeding decisions we make for our horses.    

The Spring Fling has been expanded to two exciting days

Friday 3/24 clinics and Extreme Make-over Horse Edition Saturday 3/25

Trainers’ Challenge,

Auction, Homemade treats and

excitement!

Spring Fling  -  Friday and Saturday,

 March 25th and 26^th

     The annual Spring Fling will be held at the UMH Equestrian Center at 10:00 A.M. on Friday and Saturday, March 25th and 26th.  The event will provide financial backing for the Mountain Rhythm Riders and their promotional endeavors of our Mountain Horses.  The event’s schedule will include the following on Friday:

Stan Trimble, Farrier

Robert Lawson, Ground Work

Vanessa Crowe, Conformation

H.T. Derickson, Gait

Extreme Make-over Horse Edition

Homemade plate lunches

     On Friday, encourage your friends to come out and bring their horse for an Extreme Make-Over.  Participants will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with clinicians to help improve any aspect of the horse/handler relationship.  Let us know what you need and we will try to help you accomplish your goals.    

     The most exciting part of the day on Saturday will be starting the 2 year olds.  This year we are using virtually untouched 2 year olds to start under saddle.  Individuals competing in the challenge will have a total of 3 hours to train a young horse to accept a saddle and bridle.  That’s not all.  Our youngsters will be asked to work on the rail backward and forward and to complete an obstacle course.  Competitors will be judged on technique, gentleness, and their ability to teach their horse to respond to their cues.  There will also be an element called freestyle where the trainer will demonstrate a unique quality or skill that their horse can demonstrate.  The event will be judged with a cash prizes to go to the top challengers.  Come on out and support the Rhythm Riders!  There will be a $10 gate fee.  Lunch will be served at a cost of $6.   Horses for the make-over will be $100.  It will be a fantastic event!

Good News!

     We were so thankful to learn of the good report for Pam Heuslein.  She had a scan last Wednesday and many of her tumors had shrunk and some were gone.  We are also thankful that Bruce Crowe got a positive report about his cancer.  We are hoping he can avoid radiation if his levels stay down.  Keep these folks in your thoughts and prayers. 

California Clinic

     Robert and Erin will be traveling to Arroyo Grande, CA April 5th-10th to conduct versatility clinics and give lessons with Linda Clark and the RMH club there.  They are excited by the opportunity to share.

Merry Go Blue

     Merry Go Blue, co-owned by the Copland’s and the Lawson’s will be standing at Stoner Ridge Farm this season.  Charlie will be showing him in the Park Championship classes and he will be showing Dock’s Mr. Sandman in the Open Park Stallions Class.  We’re looking forward to the excitement that is generated by these outstanding Park Stallions.  Look for Merry Go Blue on the April cover of the UMH magazine.  Put a little pride, power, and performance in your herd!  Contact Robert or Don to book a date for your mare!

Big South Fork Ride

     May 5th and 6th will be the annual UMH trail ride at Big South Fork.  The SRF crew will be staying at Bear Creek this year due to a “sell-out” crowd at Wilderness Resorts.  They had one small cabin left last week.  Hopefully, everyone else has made arrangements. See you there!

New Arrival

     Stoner Ridge Farm’s first foal of the season was born Saturday afternoon.  After coming home from going out to eat, Rachel encouraged her Papaw to go check the horses.  She was with us when we found the cute, little, chocolate filly out of Fry’s Sundown and Toco’s Last Chance.  Of course, that evoked a few questions . . . I think Robert was glad Mamaw was around to field the “Ewe, What’s that?” from our four year old granddaughter.  As is usually the case, once she had her questions answered, she was delighted by the foal.