Hi All,
I wanted to clarify some of the concerns regarding the requirements for the Paso
Fino Country Pleasure class at the upcoming Gaited Spectacular in Albany, OR.
The national PFHA rules include the dismount & remount on the off side
requirement for Country Pleasure. Riders are, however, allowed to request a
mounting block. That isn't specified in the rules or made clear, which is
unfortunate. Country Pleasure is a popular class because this is a class for
the most mellow, amateur owned, and well behaved horses. Many club members have
asked for this class because they feel this is more the level of their horses
that other Paso classes. The point of this class is to demonstrate excellent
behavior in a Paso Fino. The dismount & remount, however, is an issue for many
riders.

I am not very familiar with FOSH rules, although it is my understanding that
FOSH rules are supposed to follow specific breed rules, such as Paso Fino, etc.
I am not sure officially who can make decisions to waive rules, whether that is
show management, the judge, etc. That decision lies with the NW Pleasure
Tennesse Walking Horse Association & their show management. At this point they
have waived the requirement and that is their decision and I have no problem
with that.

For the upcoming Evergreen Gaited Classic and the Oregon State Fair, the
requirement cannot be waived as those are "pointed" paso fino shows. We can try
to make it more widely known that a mounting block can be used. Hopefully, that
will be helpful.

As for requests for classes in the future at any of the shows, the NWPFHA Board
has been working very hard to move showing ahead in the region and accomodate
members' requests. I have written extensively about shows in the last two
newsletters in my President's message. We want to hear from you and what you
want to see at shows in the future. Please let us know your comments and
requests.

As for the Gaited Spectacular, there were no Paso Fino classes included in that
show until last year when Gina Gardner asked me to come and make a pitch for the
classes. They accomodated us with a few classes, and a few of us participated
and loved it last year. We asked again for classes this year and have tried to
promote the show as much as possible. I think we will have double the number of
participants this year, and hopefully the trend will continue.

If you have any concerns, suggestions, questions, please don't hesitate to
contact me any time. See you at the show and on the trail.

Mary Schoenheit Stadum, President NWPFHA
maryschoenheit@...
541-232-7702


--- In NWPFHA@yahoogroups.com, "Karla Watson" <karlawatson@...> wrote:
>
> As you all know, I'm enthusiastic and assertive so I decided to see if we
could change something for the gaied show this upcoming weekend. Here is my
email to the Show Manager. Its GOOD NEWS!!! No dismount for that Country
Pleasure class so now ALL the paso finos coming can show in that class and make
a good showing from our region!! You can add the class on Friday when you come.
I myself was dreading the dismount and remount on wrong side and have been
practicing this weekend. I'm nursing a bad hip from a bad fall from my endurance
ride last week so it hasn't been easy. I heard others were not going in the
class cause of the dismount/remount in this class. Now its taken care of!! All
us middle aged and older women can go in and not fear that dismount!!!
>
> Can't wait to see you all on Friday!! Maybe we can sit together and make a
list of some classes they can have for us next year? Sounds like they would
appreciate that and we could get what we wanted.
>
> ---Karla
>
>
> (My email to show manager):
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Karla Watson <karlawatson@...>
> To: beequeen66@...
> Sent: Sun, 7 Jun 2009 2:22 pm
> Subject: Gaited show questions for PASO FINOS
>
>
> Judy,
>
> I'm in the NW Paso Fino club and there are several of our members coming to
your show. I wanted to suggest to you that next year you may want to choose PASO
FINO PLEASURE class instead of PASO FINO COUNTRY PLEASURE. The FOSH rules says
in COUNTRY pleasure that you have to unmount and remount on opposite side for
judge. I'm not sure your judge will ask for it but unfortunately most of our NW
Paso Fino members are older women who don't feel comfortable getting off/on so
have decided either not to come show or are not entered in the class. If you
change to regular PLEASURE class, you would certainly have more in the class and
more Paso Finos show up next year for the class. If there is any way to change
it next weekend, you may have ALL the Paso Fino ladies riding in the class and
make more money?
>
> Just a suggestion that may help bring more Paso Fino entrants. I am entered in
the class and am NOT looking forward to dismount/remount on opposite side since
I'm a bit middle-aged myself. Since you only offer that one Paso Fino riding
class for adults, I decided to just try it.
>
> Karla Watson
> NW Paso Fino Club
>
>
> (her reply):
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: beequeen66@...
> To: karlawatson@...
> Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 9:46 AM
> Subject: Re: Gaited show questions for PASO FINOS
>
>
> Good morning,
>
> I just spoke to Penny the show manager and she said that she will make sure
that you not have to get off and remount.
> Also, we would like to know if you would be a good contact for future shows?
We really don't' have a good contact for the Pasofino horse and would like to
get the classes that they would like to show in.
>
>
> Judy Giannone
> Hope you have a great day! :)
>