UMH Banquet

If you were unable to attend the UMH Banquet this year, please start thinking about it for next year. We all had a great time! There were auctions, presentations, and awards. Many folks were recognized for their contributions throughout the year. Diana Wright received the volunteer award for her outstanding service. Jamie Derickson was the receipient of the sportsman award for his great attitude. The Visionary Award was given this year to Larry Patterson for his hard work reorganizing the Breeder's Cup Program. Many donations were made for this year and next allowing outstanding stallions to be recognized. The High Money Horse was presented to Charlie DeAtley and SRF's Silver Sundown. Woo Hoo! Great job everyone.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Stoner Ridge Farm
2009 UMH High Points

RPM’s Squirrel’s Blackfoot owned by Randy and Regina Jones, Conway, AR
1st - 2-3 YO Open Trail Pleasure
1st - Open Four Gait

Sandman’s Taking Chances previously owned by Don and Nancy Copland, Brookville, IN
2nd - Open Four Gait

Pepper’s Capital Venture owned by Steve Heuslein, LaCrescent, MN
1st - 3 YO Stallions & Geldings Classic

Gaitway’s Jasmine Joy owned by Steve Heuslein, LaCrescent, MN
1st - Adult Versatility
1st - Mares Country Trail Pleasure
3rd - Open Western Pleasure
3rd - Adult Trail Obstacle
3rd - High Money Horse

SRF’s Silver Sundown owned by Steve Heuslein, LaCrescent, MN
1st - Open Western Pleasure
1st - Stallions Trail Pleasure
1st - Trail Pleasure Championship
1st - High Money Horse
2nd - Adult Versatility
2nd - Men’s Open Trail

RRF Gold Nugget owned by Steve Heuslein, LaCrescent, MN
1st - Geldings Classic Pleasure

Rider Awards
Steve Heuslein
3rd - Open Amateur Country Trail

Marcia Spencer
2nd - Open Novice Trail Pleasure

Lyngle Lawson
2nd - Non Pro Classic

J.T. Hickey
3rd - Juvenile 11 & Under Country Trail
2nd - Juvenile Trail Obstacle
3rd - Youth Versatility

Lauren Hickey
2nd - Juvenile 17 & Under Western
2nd - Youth Versatility
3rd - Juvenile Trail Obstacle

Lead Line Participant
Ella Tillery & Ruby DeAtley

SRF Welcomes Joan Miller to Apprenticeship Program

Joan Miller from Millersburg, OH joined the SRF team last Monday to begin an apprenticeship. She will be coming for one week sessions as she can schedule time off work. Joan has has quite a bit of horse experience (even barrel racing) but she felt the need to establish a more firm foundation in order to work with her Rocky Mountain mare. We had a great time with her this week. She worked with Robert in the round pen quite extensively. She also rode several horses throughout the week. She's posted some of her experiences on Facebook. We can't wait for her next visit.

Simple Pleasures

In times such as these, it is so easy to get caught up in negativity. We worry about the economy or we worry about school or friends or finances. If you need to escape the worry for a little while, please take a moment to read the story below. It will remind you of why we all have horses in our lives. "Simple Freedom" was written by 13 year old Lauren Hickey who is taking riding lessons with Erin. Her usual mount is World Grand Champion Barb's Stormy Knight owned by Don and Nancy Copland. Lauren went home after a particularly enjoyable lesson and wrote her story in about 10 minutes. She is a strong competitor in the show ring and an excellent student. Enjoy . . .

Simple Freedom
By: Lauren Hickey

The breeze weaved through my hair and flowed around my face. A small expanse of fenced in blue grass stretched before me and my friend. I could hear his breathing as he tasted the air. There were no rules; we were allowed to roam the small pasture. Sensing his new freedom, my companion started into a brisk walk. I clutched the reins a bit tighter, but he knew this wasn’t a show ring. Soon, he sped up to a gait. Faster and faster he started to transform. I let him do as he pleased yet tried to stay in control. The longer we gaited around the small enclosed expanse of grass, the freer he felt. I could feel it too. I could feel the barely controlled excitement. I soaked in the sun and wind and forgot the worries of school and the world. All I knew, all we knew, all we cared about, was the perfect day. I slowed him down a bit, but he hated it. His instincts took over and all he wanted was to leap through the grass and race the wind. But years of training and being under the lead of humans became a shadow in his mind. Slowly, he transformed, right under the saddle. He hopped a bit, switching between the taught gait and a more natural canter. He battled for control. He strained against the bit, trying to become what he truly is; and I became the barrier he fought. I didn’t want that, and I let go a bit. He needed no more incentive. He gaited faster and faster, becoming stronger and stronger. We shared control now. No longer was he the focused, gentle show horse everyone knew. Instead, he became a creature of wind and ocean waves. He could barely be contained, even by his own body. The sweet breeze and warm sun opened a heavily locked door inside him and awoke something ancient. He awoke something that humans attempted to breed out of his race. He became his name, he became a storm. I became a simple passenger, no longer in control. Then, he cantered, not for long just a few seconds. For those few seconds, we lifted into the sky with eagle wings. We raced the wind and mocked the birds. He remembered the days when horses ran free with only the falcon to match their speed. He remembered everything he forgot while under the saddle. He embodied the spirit of the horse, beauty, speed, and power. For a few seconds, humans did not dominate his life. And I rode the storm and enjoyed every second of it.

KMSHA International Grand Championships

The KMSHA International Grand Championships began on Thursday, October 8th. Robert, Charlie, Mike, Cesario, and Roberto were joined by Nancy and Marcia to get the ball rolling. Tim and Don joined us later in the weekend. There were several special awards planned this year as well as a trainer's challenge. Unfortunately, if you were showing horses, participation in the trainer's challenge wasn't possible becuase of the class schedule. The Futurity was held Thursday morning. Our classes, however, began with the conformation classes Thursday afternoon. Our horses showed well and most placed in their conformation classes. Our under saddle classes began Thursday evening. Congratulations to Mojo (Blue's Magical Charm) with Mike in the irons for his first place win! With the show condensed to three days this year, it was a challenge to get all the classes in. Tabulations were on the slow side so most classes took about 20 to 25 minutes. It made for a very late night. Classes were over about 1 AM. The rain really hampered exhibitors getting horses to the ring. There was also a lot of construction due to the upcoming World Equestrian Games that made staying clean quite a challenge. Thank goodness for the indoor arena! Several horses showed Friday. FR Derby Blue made his show ring debut and did an excellent job. He wasn't at all anxious even with the construction equipment and all the new and scary sights and sounds of the show ring. We were really proud of him. The weather started turning colder. It was actually down in the 40's toward evening. Versatility and youth classes were held on Saturday. Congratulations to SRF's Silver Sundown on his first place win in Trail Obstacle. He won at the UMH World Show, the RMH International, and at the KMSHA International Woo Hoo! He was awesome. Tim Spencer also made a great show in Trail Obstacle with Barb's Stormy Knight placing 3rd and Nugget placed 4th. Way to go SRF team! Nugget, just like Silver, won all the driving classes at the UMH World, RMH and KMSHA International shows. They are such awesome horses. We really enjoyed watching JoEllen Yarber show Half-Cocked in the park classes this weekend. She won both qualifying classes and won the Park Championship as well. It was great! Our congratulations to Clinton Jones 1st place and to Tim Scarberry 2nd place for their accomplishments in the trainer's challenge. They had to brave the elements to work with their geldings out in the weather since the arena was being used for the show. Non the less, their horses worked really well. We had such a good time with everyone over the course of the long weekend. It is hard to believe that show season, for us, has come to a close. We'll have to think up some opportunities to get together over the course of the fall season. We have too much fun to have to wait until spring. Let us know if there are clinics or other activities that you'd like for us to host. With the arena, we won't have to worry so much about the rain or the cold (until it gets to be January).

Don't forget the the UMH banquet has been scheduled for December 12th. You don't have to be winning a high point award to come. We'll have a blast regardless. Thanks everyone for all the great times . . . .

Mountain Pleasure World Championships

Photo by Vera Patterson

Congratulations to Merry Go Blue on his Mountain Pleasure World Championship win in the 9 and older Stallions and Geldings class and his Grand Championship conformation win at last night's show. He was absolutely beautiful. Not only was he georgeous, but he was a perfect genleman which is so typical of his nature. Congratulations also to RPM's Squirrel's Blackfoot for his reserve placement in conformation and under saddle.

The Mountain Pleasure Association registry is the smallest of all the Mountain Horse groups. They have opened their books to select horses that are also registered RMH. They must also be approved by the board. There are two divisions at their shows: Country Trail and Show Trail. As these divisions indicate, they do not wish to reward what is often considered a 'performance' horse (i.e. a higher stepping horse that has overstride and brio.)

We had a great time at the show. It was a pleasant evening. The award winning Licking River Riders Drill Team performed. We got to visit with some new folks. Marcia and Tim joined us and the horses we took looked fabulous!

UMH World Show & RMH International

Wow! What shows we've had over the last two weeks! Never in the history of the Mountain Horse industry, have two of the most prestegious shows of the year been held back to back. It has been an awesome experience. We are so fortunate to have friends and clients who have been so helpful and so much fun. They've done everything from bringing meals to cleaning boots! They've brought golf carts and loaned us trailers. They have given their time and talents to create enchanted castles and to keep us laughing (cackling) all the way.

UMH Highlights
Congratulations to the SRF crew and 'decorating committee' for their hard work creating our enchanted castle. Marcia Spencer, Regina Jones, and Billie Hickey worked tirelessly painting, cutting, and laminating our castle. It was awesome! We received reserve recognition from the Clark County Chamber of Commerce for their efforts.

The first week of September was a fantastic week to show horses. The weather was perfect most of the time with just a few sprinkles off and on. Lisa joined us again to help tack along with Cesario and Roberto. The horses worked well. SRF had many wins including 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th placements in Sr. Horse Trail Obstacle by Silver, Jazzy, Little Ann, and Nugget respectively. Squirrel also placed 1st in the Junior Horse Trail Obstacle and Lauren placed 1st with Stormy in the Youth division of Trail Obstacle. Little Ann (with Mike up)won Open Four Gait and Squirrel was second. Way to go SRF! A complete list is at the bottom of the blog. We really enjoyed the many special events scheduled by the show management. Many folks enjoyed watching the dog show. The exhibitor's party was a lot of fun as well. We had breakfast and played corn hole. The church service was very moving. Both H.T. Derickson and Howard Kleier spoke of their personal religious experience and how thankful they were for God's blessings. Cyndee's brother brought a great message and we all enjoyed the singing in the open air. It was fantastic.

As far as the show goes, our congratulations go out to Randy Jones for placing third in the Amateur Versatility and to Jazzy and Silver for their ribbons toward the Barb's Stormy Knight Award. We appreciate Don and Nancy's sponsorship of this award and their sponsorship of the Open Four Gait class throughout the year. Lauren also placed 3rd in the Juvenile Versatility. Another highlight of the show was watching SRF's Silver Sundown win the World Grand Championship Open Western class with Charlie. They looked awesome! It was a great week of showing and working. On Monday before the championships, we started packing up and moved what we could to the Kentucky Horse Park for the RMH International. Some horses came home, some went the the Horse Park and a few remained at the Equestrian Center in Winchester. It was a little like that old riddle about the farmer who needed to take his duck, fox, and corn across the river. He could only take one at a time in the boat. That created problems for him because if he left the duck and the fox together, the duck would be eaten. If he left the duck and the corn together, the duck would eat the corn. Don't worry if you can't figure it out . . . it was a little like that for us trying to get set up for the second show. Check out the October newsletter for the answer to the riddle . Everyone jumped right in even though they were tired. We got got it all done and were back to the KEC in time to enjoy watching Baby Ruby in the lead line class. Again, we really appreciate everyone's contribution to the Double Diamond sponsorship and all you've done to help make the show a great success.

RMH International Highlights
Tuesday morning the SRF crew was back in the saddle again and ready for their first classes at the Rocky Mountain International. Everyone was a little bleary eyed but the horses were working well. As the show progressed, the horses continued to show strongly. Again, SRF placed first, second, and third in trail obstacle with Silver, Nugget, and Jazzy. Hidden Agenda, Nancy and Don's weanling placed 3rd in the Weanling Championship. Branson Blue won his Yearling Championship. Pepper's Capital Venture won both show and trail pleasure classes with Mike and Charlie up. Jazzy did a great job as did Silver but it was Nugget who was the star of the show. We started getting excited as the wins accumulated for him. He was tieing first or second in almost every qualifying class toward the Sam Tuttle Award. People came up to us making predictions that he would win. By Saturday afternoon, we knew . . . RRF Gold Nugget would be awarded the Sam Tuttle! Woo Hoo! Our congratulations go to Nugget and Steve. Charlie did a great job. We were really excited for Charlie. The Sam Tuttle is quite a challenge to win. Erin won it wit Legendary Lady in 2006. I wonder if there has been another married couple who has been able to do that. I don't think so. Anyway, it was a great week. Thanks to everyone for being part of the team. We couldn't do it with out you!

Stoner Ridge Farm UMH World Show and RMH International Show Placings

Pepper’s Capital Venture
UMH World Show - 3 yo Classic Stallions/Geldings - 4th
RMH International - 3 YO Amateur Trail Pleasure - 3rd - Steve Heuslein
RMH International - 3 YO Amateur Show Pleasure - 3rd - Steve Heuslein
RMH International - 3 YO Gelding Trail Pleasure - 1st - Michael Butler
RMH International - 3 YO Gelding Show Pleasure - 1st
RMH International - Geldings Championship Trail - 7th - Michael Butler

SRF’s Silver Sundown
UMH World Show - Water Glass - 5th
UMH World Show - Western Pleasure Sr. Horse - 2nd
UMH World Show - 4 + Trail Pleasure Stallions - 3rd
UMH World Show - Trail Obstacle - 1st
UMH World Show - Trail Pleasure World Grand Championship - 5th
UMH World Show - Western Pleasure World Grand Championship - 1st
RMH International - Amateur Trail Pleasure - 10th - Steve Heuslein
RMH International - 6-9 YO Stallions Conformation - 4th
RMH International - 6-9 YO Stallions Trail Pleasure - 1st
RMH International - 6-9 YO Western Pleasure - 1st
RMH International - Stallion Championship Trail - 6th
RMH International - Western Pleasure Grand Championship - 3rd
RMH International - Adult Trail Obstacle - 1st
RMH International - Pole Bending - 1st
RMH International - Water Glass - 4th

RRF Gold Nugget
UMH World Show - 4 + Classic Pleasure Geldings - 1st
UMH World Show - Amateur Men’s Classic - 2nd - Steve Heuslein
UMH World Show - Non-Pro Classic - 2nd - Lyngle Lawson
UMH World Show - 4+ Geldings In Hand - 5th
UMH World Show - Men’s Classic Pleasure - 4th
UMH World Show - Trail Obstacle Sr. Horse - 4th
UMH World Show - Pro Am Classic - 5th - Charlie & Steve
UMH World Show - Open Driving - 1st
UMH World Show - Non-Pro Classic World Grand Championship - 4th - Lyngle Lawson
UMH World Show - Groom’s Class - 5th - Lisa Sidwell
RMH International - Men’s Amateur Show Pleasure - 2nd - Steve Heuslein
RMH International - 4-5 YO Amateur Show Pleasure - 7th - Steve Heuslein
RMH International - 3-5 YO Geldings Conformation - 1st
RMH International - 5 YO Geldings Show Pleasure - 1st
RMH International - Pleasure Driving - 1st
RMH International - Show Pleasure Grand Championship - 7th
RMH International - Adult Trail Obstacle - 2nd
RMH International - 3-5 YO Open Conformation Championship - 1st
RMH International - Conformation Grand Championship - 2nd
RMH International - Sam Tuttle Memorial Award

RPM’s Squirrel’s Blackfoot
UMH World Show - Water Glass Class - 2nd - Randy Jones
UMH World Show - Am/Non Pro 2+ In-Hand - 3rd - Randy Jones
UMH World Show - Western Pleasure Jr. Horse - 5th
UMH World Show - Novice Gentleman Rider - 3rd - Randy Jones
UMH World Show - Trail Obstacle Jr. Horse - 1st
UMH World Show - Trail Obstacle Open Am/Non Pro - 5th - Randy Jones
UMH World Show - Open 4 Gait - 2nd
UMH World Show - Regional Amateur Trail - 2nd - Randy Jones

Gaitway’s Jasmine Joy
UMH World Show - 4 + Country Trail Pleasure Mares - 6th
UMH World Show - Western Pleasure Sr. Horse - 5th
UMH World Show - Trail Obstacle Sr. Horse - 2nd
UMH World Show - Amateur Country Trail Pleasure - 5th
UMH World Show - Youth 11 & Under - 3rd - J.T. Hickey
UMH World Show - Youth Western Pleasure - 3rd - Lauren Hickey
UMH World Show - Youth Trail Obstacle - J.T. Hickey - 4th
UMH World Show - Am. Country Trail World Grand Championship - 3rd - Steve Heuslein
UMH World Show - Youth Showmanship - 3rd - Lauren Hickey
RMH International - 6-9 YO Mares Conformation - 2nd
RMH International - 6-9 YO Mares Trail Pleasure - 4th
RMH International - 14.2 – 14.3 Trail Pleasure - 7th
RMH International - Western Pleasure - 5th
RMH International - 6-9 YO Western Pleasure - 4th
RMH International - Adult Trail Obstacle - 3rd
RMH International - 6 and Over Championship Conformation - 5th

C.D.’s Girl’s Got Rhythm
UMH World Show - Open Four Gait - 4th

Merry Go Blue
UMH World Show - UMH/AGMH Classic Pleasure - 2nd

Little Ann
UMH World Show - Water Glass Class - 4th
UMH World Show - Trail Obstacle Sr. Horse - 3rd
UMH World Show - Open Four Gait - 1st

HBF Hidden Agenda
What a knock-out! This little chocolate filly will steal your heart with her sweet, curious nature. Out of Nicholei’s Sophie by WGC Merry Go Blue, she is already making waves in the show ring. She is owned by Don and Nancy Copland of Brookville, IN and trained by Robert Lawson.

UMH World Show - Weanling Fillies - 3rd
UMH World Show - Breeder’s Cup - 10th
RMH International - Weanling Fillies “A” - 2nd
RMH International - Weanling Championship - 3rd

Barb’s Stormy Knight
UMH World Show - Non-Pro Trail Pleasure - 4th - Nancy Copland
UMH World Show - Novice Gentleman Rider - 1st - Tim Spencer
UMH World Show - Trail Obstacle Open Amateur - 4th - Tim Spencer
UMH World Show - Youth Trail Obstacle - 1st - Lauren Hickey
UMH World Show - Youth Equitation - 4th - Lauren Hickey
UMH World Show - Amateur World Grand Championship - Tim Spencer
UMH World Show - Lead Line - 1st - Ella Tillery & Ruby DeAtley

Branson Blue
Many folks who have been showing for awhile will remember Lyngle’s show mare, One Chance Fancy. She was Amateur Classic High Point two years in a row. Fancy’s foals have begun making their way to the show ring. You are sure to be impressed with this yearling colt out of Fancy by WGC Merry Go Blue. He’s awesome! Steve Heuslein recently purchased this fine colt. He’s being trained by Robert.

UMH World Show - Yearling Colts In-Hand - 2nd
UMH World Show - Yearling Amateur/Non Pro - 2nd - Robin Tucker
UMH World Show - Yearling Conformation World Grand Championship - 3rd
UMH World Show - Breeder’s Cup - 2nd
RMH International - Yearling Colts “A” - 2nd
RMH International - Yearling Championship - 1st

Blue’s Magical Charm
UMH World Show - Open Spotted Mountain Horse - 3rd

Mountain Vista Thunder
RMH International - 5 YO Stallions Trail - 7th