Stoner Ridge Farm News
Foundation First Mountain Horse Training TM

Robert & Lyngle Lawson
2469 Clintonville Rd.
Paris, KY
859.988.9092  or  859.749.3008

September 2006 Newsletter

Merry Go Blue Wins

First of all, congratulations to Charlie and his fantastic rides on Merry Go Blue winning the AGMH Classic class and the Classic World Grand Championship! They entered the ring like they meant business and took the place by storm. The crowd was roaring and it seemed as if the entire place was behind them all
the way. It was truly awesome.

"This year's World Show was one of the classiest shows I have ever had the opportunity to judge," claims Jimmy Black who had many positive comments to make about the quality of the show and the quality of the horses. Each year the competition just keeps moving on up to a higher level. The novice and amateur classes were strong and had many entries as well. New this year were the AGMH classes. Erin and Pepper's Just Plain Pretty rose to the reserve spot towering over 23 other horses in the AGMH Open Trail class. Erin also had a great ride in the 4 Gait Class to capture the blue for Don and Nancy. WooHoo.

In the Breeders Cup classes it was the best of the best for sure. Dick Roby's filly, Perfect Venture, was reserve in the two year old classic division where she competed right along with the colts. Steve Heuslein captured reserve in the Novice Classic class with Silver who also placed reserve in his halter class. 

Congratulations also to Robert and Silver's Blue Plate Special for their fantastic performance in the Yearling Trail Obstacle Obedience Class. It was great!

MANY THANKS TO EVERYONE

We just want to let everyone know how thankful we are for you. We are truly blessed. I had to be at school most days but there was nothing left lacking thanks to you all. Laurie and crew had the barn looking great!

New Horses

Welcome back Bliss, the Gaited Morgan we showed in OH earlier in the year. She will be going to the North American Championship in Sept.

Welcome also to Ellie, Doug and Jill's 3 year old filly out of Hestilita by Iron Man.

Welcome, Welcome

The Winners' Circle

Champions

Classic World Grand Champion
Merry Go Blue

AGMH Classic Champion
Merry Go Blue

Open 4 Gait Champion
Pepper’s Just Plain Pretty

Trail Obstacle Obedience Yearling Champion
Silver’s Blue Plate Special

Lead Line Champions

Ella Tillery on
Sweet Revenge
 
Cheyanne Bradley on
Destiny's Warning
 
Chloe Simons on
 Gaitway's Jasmine Joy

Alyssa Livinggood on
Legendary Lady

Special Congratulations to
Causing Commotion
3 yo colt sired by 
Merry Go Blue
Winner of the Regional 
Amateur Trail Pleasure class with Ramona Jackson up

Third Place Wins
2-3 yo Fillies in Hand
Pepper's Just Plain Pretty
 
2-3 yo Fillies Trail
My Best Friend Gail
 
4 & older Geldings Trail
Lucky Charm
 
Pro Am Country Trail
Gaitway's Jasmine Joy
 
Open Amateur Western
Legendary Lady (Judy)

Youth 17 & Under Western
Lucky Charm (Shannon)
 
Trail Obstacle, Jr. Horse
Storm Warning's Thunder
 
Trail Obstacle, Amateur
Legendary Lady (Judy)
 
Trail Obstacle, Youth
Lucky Charm (Shannon)
 
Open Western World Grand Championship
Pepper's Just Plain Pretty

Fourth Place Wins

Open Ladies Trail
Pepper's Just Plain Pretty

Mares Country Trail
Gaitway's Jasmine Joy
 
2-3 yo Fillies Trail
Graceful Storm
 
Regional Amateur Classic
Silver Sundown
 
4 & Older Geldings Trail
Good Deed
 
AHMH Open Park
Dock's Mr. Sandman
 
Western Pleasure, Jr. Horse
My Best Friend Gail
 
Western Pleasure, Sr. Horse
Legendary Lady
 
Trail Obstacle, Jr. Horse
Pepper's Just Plain Pretty
 
Open Amateur 2-3 yo Classic
Silver Sundown (Steve)
 
2-3 yo Open Trail Pleasure
Pepper's Just Plain Pretty
 
Novice Ladies
Good Deed (Brenda)

Fifth Place Wins

3 yo Stallions Classic
Silver Sundown

2-3 yo Fillies in Hand
Gaitway's Jasmine Joy
 
2 yo Fillies Classic
Perfect Venture
 
2-3 yo Stallions/Geld. Trail
Toco's Double T
 
Trail Obstacle, Jr. Horse
Sweet Revenge
 
Trail Obstacle, Sr. Horse
Legendary Lady
 
Yearling Conformation WGC
Silver's Blue Plate Special
 
Open Amateur Classic
Silver Sundown (Lyngle)
 
2-3 yo Open Trail
My Best Friend Gail

Sixth Place Wins

4 & Older Stallions in Hand
Merry Go Blue
 
4 & Older Geldings in Hand
Storm Warning's Thunder
 
Yearling Fillies
Silver's Blue Plate Special
 
2-3 yo Stallions in Hand
Toco's Double T
 
2-3 yo Fillies in Hand
Graceful Storm
 
Trail Obstacle, Jr. Horse
Lucky Charm
 
Ladies Auxiliary Trail
Good Deed
 
2 yo Fillies Classic
Perfect Venture

Breeders Cup

2nd - 2 yo Open Classic
Perfect Venture

3rd - 2 yo Open Trail
Toco's Double T
 
4th - Yearling Colts
FR Apollo
 
6th - Weanling Fillies
Sandman's Ebony Dream

PEOPLE COME INTO OUR LIVES FOR A REASON

People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When we know which one it is, we will know what to do for that person. When someone is in our life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need. They have come so we can assist them through a difficulty, to provide guidance and support, to aid physically, emotionally, or spiritually. When people come into our lives for a reason, they may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason we need for them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing the relationship comes to an end. Sometimes they move on; sometimes they die; Sometimes they just walk away. What we must realize is that the need has been met, the desire fulfilled, the work is done. The prayer sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into our lives for a SEASON, because our turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring an experience of peace or make us laugh. They may teach us something or help us learn about something we have never done. They usually give us an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it; it is real. But only for a season! 

LIFETIME relationships teach us lifetime lessons, things we must build upon in order to have a solid foundation. Our job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what we have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of our lives. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. How true!

-adapted from an email sent by Val Kleinheitz several months ago 

"You have no idea how happy it made 
Morgan to get to ride Merry Go Blue. She couldn't wait to get home and brag to her brother, Brandon. She has become a great rider and loves every minute of it. We are all so glad we have horses in our lives!"
-Kim Adleta

Note:  14 year old Morgan rode Merry Go Blue the day after his Grand Championship win bareback with a halter. WooHoo!

GOOD FRIENDS, GOOD TIMES, GOOD HORSES

I know Stoner Ridge Farm must have the best clients in the world. Everyone we asked to contribute to the double Diamond Sponsorship didn't even hesitate. We thank you! It is your support that helped put on the classiest show ever. It was awesome! 

We can't even begin to tell you how much we appreciate each of you who helped in so many ways. Brenda Watson kept us fed and Steve Heuslein helped keep us well watered <G>. Val and Glenn Johnson delivered a cooler full of fruit (I think it was mainly for Robert, but we all enjoyed it). Nancy and Don brought friends from Canada and Ohio that we had a great time getting to know. Nancy helped with coats and numbers all week. Doug, Jill, Jessie, Tony, and Nancy were on hand to cheer us on. Scott and Barrie Hughes all the way from CO were also on hand to give support and encouragement. They were real troopers through the unaccustomed heat. The Lorance family kept us laughing with their positive attitudes. Thanks again everyone. What a blast! 

FAREWELL

We'd like to thank Josette Knowles for her hard work at Stoner Ridge Farm over the last several months. She was first an intern and then became one of the SRF crew. The time has come for Josette to return to Midway to finish her degree. She is not going to be able to continue her employment here at the farm due to time constraints. We do want to congratulate her and Merry's Painted Surprise (a.k.a. Chuckles) on their fantastic World Show performances. The Josette/Chuckles team won three first and one second place in their classes last week. We wish Josette and Chuckles the very best as they continue working and growing together.

Congratulations
to 
Venture's Black Fury
Owned by Mike & Judy Brummer
on his 3 year old World Grand 
Championship.
Even though Fury isn't stabled at SRF, we want to salute his 
fantastic show!

GRACEFUL STORM
It won't be long until Graceful Storm a.k.a. Gracie will be traveling home to the United Kingdom. As reported last month, Caroline Green and Paul Robard of Green Stud Farm in England have begun a top-notch breeding program in England. 

Gracie has performed well in trail obstacle and trail pleasure classes during the time she was with us at Stoner Ridge Farm. She is a lovely horse and will be an ambassador for Mountain Horses in the UK. We wish Paul and Caroline the very best! 
Paul will have the opportunity to come to the RMH show. We're looking forward to getting to spend some time with him. Unfortunately, Caroline is unable to come along because of her responsibilities at home with the horses at this time.


CESARIO
Cesario Sanchez has returned to Mexico to visit his family there. It had been nine years since he had seen his mom, brothers, and sisters. We are hoping he'll be back by the end of Sept.
 
While he is there, Juan Marin is filling in here at SRF. He's doing a great job but we still miss Cesario. When Juan's job here is finished, he will be working for our new neighbors, Pat and Mike Freeny from Bakersfield, CA.



RMH INTERNATIONAL SEPT 12-16

The second of the three crescendo events of the Mountain Horse industry will be held next week - the Rocky Mountain International. We'll be moving into our stalls on Monday in order to be prepared for Tuesday's 9:00 classes. Fortunately, we're close enough to the Horse Park that we will be staying at home and driving daily (no hotel charges for clients). 
 
Be sure you are an RMH member and if you plan to show that you have an exhibitors' card. We will also need your original papers to show the office. You might want to update yourself on RMH rules which are a little different than UMH rules. 
Notably: 
4 1/2 maimum toe length
No jackets in trail classes - attire is "casual" dark slacks or black jeans, long sleeved shirt, and riding boots. Vests, hats, gloves, and spurs are optional
Show Pleasure classes require saddlesuit (either solid or pinstripe) or riding slacks or skirt and day coat or sports coat and/or vest

Horses shown in Show Pleasure classes are not eligible to receive the Rea Swan Versatility Award (internet)
Each exhibitor is allowed only one entry in the pole bending class
Cross entries are allowed between Show and Trail Pleasure
Trainers' spouse can't show amateur 
No two year olds may show under saddle
In western classes, the 360 is to be on the haunches

We will be in barn 11. We have reserved box seats as well. There are great classes and good times ahead. We're looking forward to showing horses and seeing friends! Hope to see you there.

BRIAN CROWE JOINS SRF STAFF

We'd like to welcome Brian Crowe to the outstanding employees at Stoner Ridge Farm. He has a quiet, helpful demeanor and is fitting in well.

Brian comes to us with quite a bit of horsemanship knowledge. If you were able to attend the Mountain Horse Trainers' Challenge, you saw Brian take second place in the tough competition that was judged by Richie Wingfield. 

Brian has a string of horses and is starting our two year gelding, FairWinds Outta My Way. Robert will help him learn additional round pen techniques and assist him develop even greater skills in the show ring. We're looking forward to having Brian on staff at SRF. 

"I CAN TELL A STONER RIDGE
FARM HORSE BECAUSE 
THEY ARE ALWAYS GROOMED SO NICELY . . . "

-JANE BLUE
UMH WORLD SHOW EQUIPMENT JUDGE

SRF always has a large selections of fine horses  for sale. 
See the Sales Page!