Stoner Ridge Farm News

Robert & Lyngle Lawson
2469 Clintonville Rd.
Paris, KY
40361859.988.9092 or 749.3008

May 2006

Carson Masters Spring Premier—Outstanding!

What a show! The weekend of April 14 and 15 turned out to be great dates for one of Kentucky's biggest shows of the season. The weather was just fantastic. How fortunate we are that in only five years, the Carson Masters Spring Premier has grown to be one of the four largest UMH shows of the season.

Everyone has been commenting on how great the horses looked and performed this early in the year. And let me tell you . . . The competition was hot! With over 350 entries making the gate call, almost every class was full. 

The show was well managed this year with each night's competition ending before 9:00 P.M. Many folks were able to stay for the entire show. The tabulation was quick and the judges turned in their cards in an efficient, deliberate manner. 

The Powell County Band was on hand to provide refreshments as a fundraiser for their upcoming trips. They did a great job. 

The Ladies' Auxiliary met to finalize plans for their show Memorial Day weekend. It promises to be exciting and to have lots of special touches that all ladies will enjoy <G>. 

Vendors were on hand to assist exhibitors with everything from tack and custom made bits to Victor's beautiful show attire.

Horses from SRF performed well. Highlights included first place awards to Legendary Lady (Mike and Judy Brummer's mare), Pepper's Just Plain Pretty (Don and Nancy Copland's filly) and her unanimous decision in the four gait class, and Sandman's blue in the Park stallion class. Congratulations to the reserve ties for Storm Warning's Thunder (Jill and Doug Drenik's Trail Pleasure gelding), Judy Brummer on Lady in the Amateur CTP class and Miller's Scout (Mike and Pam Miller) in Spotted Trail, My Best Friend Gail (Scott and Barrie Hughes) Men's Open Trail, Erin and Judy in the CTP Pro-Am class on Lady, Merry Go Blue (Copland's/Lawson's) Classic Championship, and Sandman Park Championship. Gaitway's Jasmine Joy or Jazzy (Steve Heuslein) made a good showing in halter and in her trail pleasure classes placing third. Most horses placed in their divisions. They are all coming along so well. These young horses learned so fast. What satisfaction there is in watching them get better and better. Again, congratulations to everyone on their great performances.

California Dreaming

Robert and Erin flew to San Louis Obispo, CA April 5th at the invitation of the West Coast Rocky Mountain Horse Club. Every year these fine folks hold what they call Rocky Week. They are a dynamic group with lots of energy. Travelers come from all over the US to camp and ride their Rocky Mountain horses. Robert and Erin provided clinics and lessons on gait and versatility. They met lots of new folks and had a great time. They really appreciated the hospitality of Sandra & Jim Warsham, Rene DeBeer, Linda Clark, and Barney & Gloria Northcote. Daily activities were planned for all participants-even the clinicians. There were several beautiful trail rides under sunny skies. In this area of California, there was an abundance of wildlife including deer, turkeys, and wild pigs. One ride everyone took was to the winery. It was a great experience they would love to repeat in the future. 

Summer Celebration - June 16-17

Tennessee Miller Coliseum, Murfreesboro, TN
Make reservations now to be assured of a place to stay
Hampton Inn, host hotel
SRF crew will stay at Best Value Inn 615.896.6030 off I-24 at exit 81B. We'll be glad to reserve for you

Congratulations
Barb's Stormy Knight!

The First Platinum Versatility Merit Award Recipient

Barb's Stormy Knight (Stormy) came to Stoner Ridge Farm as a trail horse back in 2003. He was a four year old gelding that had been ridden around the farm and on organized rides. Nobody thought of him as ever being anything else. There seemingly was nothing outstanding about him. He wasn't perfect but he handled the trails well and would move on out with a little squeeze.

As we all rode him, Stormy started getting better and better. He had a good gait and a sweeping back end that forced our trainers to rethink what his future might hold. Jessica Shannon was working with SRF at that time as a co-op student and Stormy was moved to her list of horses. She began to show him, and it wasn't long before big plans were being made for Barb's Stormy Knight.

Even the best laid plans can go awry. Everyone was shocked one day to learn that Stormy's owner had sold him, and he would soon be leaving. Once again, he was going to be trail horse. It seemed that our plans for Stormy would not come to pass. Fortunately, VanBert Farms recognized the attachment we all had to him and decided to let him stay here until after the World Show. And what a show it was for Barb's Stormy Knight. We were so excited when he won the Super Horse Award! We had no clue of what the future actually held for Stormy. 

It was about this time Don and Nancy Copland began to wonder if Stormy could possibly be for sale again. The deal was negotiated and they became the new owners just in time to watch Stormy win the Trail Pleasure World Grand Championship. Stormy went on that year to win many other prestigious awards. The next year went on in similar fashion with Jessica, Nancy, and Robert winning multiple major awards with him.

We are all so proud of what Barb's Stormy Knight has been able to accomplish in only two years. He is one special trail horse. Currently, Nancy and Don continue to ride Stormy on the trails. Look for them at Big South Fork the first weekend in May. The next time someone tells you their horse is 'just a trail horse', they may need reminding of just how extraordinary a trail horse can be.

2006
UMH Platinum Versatility Award

2005
UMH & KMSHA High Point Trail Pleasure Gelding
UMH & KMSHA High Point Amateur Trail Pleasure Mount
Rea Swan Versatility Award Winner
KMSHA Al Prewitt Versatility Award Winner
KMSHA Junior Robinson Award Winner

2004
UMH Super Horse Award Winner
UMH World Grand Champion Trail Pleasure Winner
Rea Swan Versatility Award Winner
RMH Western Grand Champion
RMH Trail Pleasure Grand Champion

Tough shoes for any horse to fill

There's No Business Like Show Business

While talking with some friends the other day, it dawned on me that there are folks who don't really understand how the Mountain Horse show circuits work. It is often thought that the sanctioning body (UMH, RMH, KMSHA, Mountain Pleasure etc.) builds all the show bills, hires all the judges, and makes all the important decisions. In actuality, that is not the case at all. Each sanctioning body develops rules and regulations that support breed and performance standards. They build their show requirements based on where they want the breed to go in the future, good horsemanship principles, humane handling, and the needs/wants of owners, trainers, and exhibitors. The requirements are then published in a rule book for individuals who are involved in showing, judging, or managing shows.

While each sanctioning body has developed their own major show, most of the shows that have evolved for the Mountain Horses usually involve a civic organization that is using the show as a fund raiser. The North Middletown Charity Horse Show has been the longest standing Mountain Horse show on the circuit. It was the first to allow Rocky Mountain classes to be interspersed with their traditional Walking Horse classes. The show supports many organizations in Bourbon County. Likewise, the Wolfe Co. Basketball Boosters Horse Show was a fund raiser for the ball team. The Drill Team has also used proceeds from their shows for promotional efforts. Let's say a group of folks get together and decide to have a horse show. They call up the organization they wish to sanction with and get a rule book. Based on their interpretation of the requirements, they find a show manager. It is that person's responsibility, with the help of the group, is to decide on which classes, the date, location, the judge or judges, trophies and/or ribbons, organist, announcer, ringmaster, photographer, payback level, the cost of entries, who to call for the DQP, and on and on. 

The sanctioning organization books their date and provides assistance. They may remind show managers of the most important requirements that are outlined in the rule books, but managers have lots of choice about how their show evolves. There are many things about a show that are simply decided by the group having the show. For example, there maybe classes exhibitors would like for certain shows that are not offered. Suggestions for changes need to be made to the specific show managers as soon as possible. Sometimes a change can be made for an upcoming show but it can be difficult because the show bills have already been published. Most shows are scheduled and show bills arranged by mid-February. It would be a big help if you would take your rule book and for every show that either exceeds or falls short of your expectations, make notes in the margin. Next year . . . say in January . . . review what you have written. If you still feel strongly, give last year's show manager a call. He/she will be able to direct you to the appropriate person to make changes in a positive direction. 

We can make positive changes and get more of what we want at the shows when we're involved. Everyone can use a little help planning and preparing. Next year, if you're planning to show in a class that has not been included at a particular show, for example, or maybe there's a new class the people don't know about, give the show managers a call. Offer to sponsor the class or promise you'll bring a bunch of your buddies to show with you. That will go a long way in helping you get your request. For many managers, they are simply trying to have classes that will be supported. If they don't have 6 or 7 horses in a class they can lose money which is definitely not where they want to go.

For shows that are developed by the sanctioning bodies themselves, they have committees and will welcome your support. You can check web sites to see when the meetings are held. If you are unable to attend the meetings yourself, let Robert know, or submit your suggestions via email.

Wolfe County Basketball Boosters

Jeffrey Hill pulled onto the show grounds smiling. He looked over at us and said, "Can you all believe we are in Campton and it's not raining?" He was right. For as many years as I can remember, it has not only rained but it has poured (or sleeted or snowed). The weather couldn't have been better last Saturday!

The horses performed well with several blues being awarded to horses shown by SRF. Congratulations to Storm Warning's Thunder ridden by Charlie in the Geldings Trail Class, Miller's Scout ridden by Erin in the Spotted Trail class, Legendary Lady ridden by Judy Brummer in the Amateur Country Trail Pleasure class, and Dock's Mr. Sandman who won his Park Stallions class with Charlie.

Several reserves were awarded as well. Erin placed Lady second in the RMH Trail class and Silver Sundown in the 3 Year Old  Stallions/Geldings Classic Class. Jazzy placed fourth with Laurie in the Ladies Open Trail class and fifth with Robert in the Mares Trail Class. Erin placed Pepper fifth in the same class with Laurie. Charlie placed Gail third in that tough Mares Trail Class. In the championships Thunder and Sandman placed third, Merry Go Blue fifth and Gail sixth. It is great to watch the horses improve with each show. We continue to work on helping them develop that firm foundation. 

Welcome New Horses and New Clients

Over the last few months, we have received several new horses to train. Welcome to FR's Apollo, a yearling stud colt owned by Doug & Jill Drenik. He'll be worked and shown in the Yearling Colt class. They've also been bringing a nice 3 year old filly to work with each week in addition to Jill's lessons on Thunder. Don and Nancy have brought Penny back to show in the Yearling Filly class. We also have Barb's Stormy Knight to get conditioned for the May trail ride. Tom Miller purchased Dapper Dan (soon to be known as Lawson's Black Magic) from Brenda Watson and two nice spotted horses R. Ranger and Blitz that we'll be working for him. Brenda sent us a cute little chocolate gelding, Good Deed, that we've just begun riding. He'd had a hard time in his "Life Before Brenda." He probably thought he'd died and gone to heaven after she started taking such good care of him. He is turning out to be a very nice fella.

Welcome also to Carolyn Green and Paul Robard from Green Stud Farm in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. We have their filly, Gracie, and have been helping her learn the foundation for versatility competition. Diane Hicks has asked that we start riding her gelding, Mo Jo again to get him ready for the trails. Welcome to Kim Lorance, right here in Paris, who is new to our lesson program. She's been bringing her own horses to take her lessons on. Roudy Shyster is a nice horse that has real potential.

We also want to welcome Ranger, Bob and Norma Tompkins chocolate gelding to our training program. He came back in February and is working really well.

Gary Siebert brought us two gaited Morgan fillies this week and took his stallion, Chase, home. We'll be showing the fillies in Wilmington, OH at Robert's Arena on May 21st. It will be a new experience to show the Morgans. We'd love to have company on the trip!

We appreciate everyone's support and enthusiasm as they watch their horses learn and grow.

Laurie

Laurie Quincey is doing a great job with her apprenticeship. She is working with several different horses each day as she learns the ropes of the Stoner Ridge Farm's Foundation First Mountain Horse TrainingTM program. She is outgoing and willing to learn. We're proud of her efforts and accomplishments so far! 

Horse Sales on the Rise

If you haven't checked out the sales page of the web site lately, you might ought to take a look at some fantastic horses being offered for sale. Frank and Nancy Puckett have asked us to help promote four outstanding horses from their Lone Star farm. They have more horses than they currently need. We went over to see them last Sunday and all the horses are very nice. They are also going to sell their 3-horse slant load trailer with custom living quarters. It's been parked inside and is in great shape. Horses are moving. Let us know if we can help.

Pictures Needed

It is time to get the Champions page of the web site updated. If you have winning shots of your horses, please forward them to us and we'll add them to the web site. We'll be listing wins, reserves, and any other special awards that horses receive. Let us know of any other suggestions you have to get important information to you.


Madison County 
and Spring Premier Photos

www.danitarogersphotography.com

Welcome
Josette Knowles

We want to give a hearty welcome to Josette Knowles, Stoner Ridge Farm's newest employee. She was a recent intern from Midway College majoring in Equine Science. You may remember her from her great rides on Merry's Pained Surprise, her spotted gelding who won the World Grand Championship in the Country Trail Pleasure Division at the World Show last year. He was also a high point award winner in both the UMH and KMSHA circuits. She's been doing a great job here at SRF so we've put her to work and added her to the payroll. She'll be riding, starting horses in the round pen, and helping ride and tack at the shows. Welcome!

Big South Fork

May 5th and 6th will find us in TN at Big South Fork. We'll be staying at Bear Creek this year. Kim Adleta has rented us her custom designed cabin and we just can't wait to be out on the trails again.

Lots of friends are planning to go: Don, Nancy, Laurie, Rick, Robert, Erin, Judy, and Dr. Bill (Robertson), will head toward TN Friday morning. Lyngle will join everyone after school. Many other folks we know will also be there for the Run for the Carnations, games, hat decorating, the running of the KY Derby and BBQ on Saturday night. The cost of the ride and meal is $50. Remember the proceeds go to the UMH Associate's Fund. Any suggestions for meals and snacks will be greatly appreciated. We'll take most of what we need with us so we'll have lots of time to ride and visit. We are looking forward to our R and R and just can't wait to be out on the trails!


For Sale
2002 Sundowner living quarters trailer
3 horse slant load - like new
Rolex package
Sundowner 8012 Special Edition 
Stored in a covered building
Less than 10,000 miles
Like new
New $60,000 - Now $39,000
Call 859.749.3008 for information

Check out www.unitedmountainhorse.org to see the 2006 show schedule.