Gaited Classes at Oregon Horse Center Show

Join us at the upcoming Icebreaker Open Schooling Show at the Oregon Horse Center in Eugene, OR on January 27 - 29, 2012.  The folks at the Oregon Horse Center have included classes for gaited horses at the show, and we're excited to get out and about for a little winter fun and tune up for the summer show season. We'll be taking the Paso Finos and our Morgan.

We're looking forward to the Friday night trail classes.  We'll be doing in-hand trail as well as riding.  There are also halter classes for gaited horses as well as English, Western, and novice classes.

The early bird deadline to get a reduced rate on your entries is January 20.  Classes and stalls are very affordable, and this is a fun and friendly environment to try out showing or a great chance to get some practice before the upcoming show season.  The Horse Center has not offered gaited classes for a few years, so let's show them that the gaited community will support these classes and get out and have fun.  Be sure to contact us if you have any questions.  We'll see you there!!!!

Carmen Clinic Great Success

The Synergy Stables Carmen Michelleti Clinic that was rescheduled from Memorial Day weekend  (due to concerns about the outbreak of the EHM/EHV virus in the West) and held on July 9 & 10 was a great success.  Thirteen riders and 15 horses participated in private lessons and clinic activities over the clinic weekend, plus the days before and after.  Comments of "best clinic ever," were spoken over and over by clinic participants.  The clinic appealed to Paso Fino owners with an interest in showing, plus those that want to focus on pleasure and trail riding.

Carmen brought her long-time trainer Bruce Byer with her to assist with the clinic and private lessons.  Bruce has worked under the direction of Carmen and her husband since he was a youth, and clinic participants were very pleased with his help and instruction.

Synergy Stables' filly, Little Red, was started under saddle by Bruce and got off to a great start as a riding horse with Bruce's help.  Molly Brockway from Anchorage, AK, a long-time Synergy Stables summer rider, enjoyed taking Little Red on some of her first rides under Bruce's guidance.

Carmen Michelleti is a long-time Paso Fino breeder and trainer.  She is also a senior certified Paso Fino judge.  Carmen is currently the chair of the 2011 Paso Fino Nationals to be held in Memphis, TN in September.  She is also heading up the West Coast Paso Fino Championship show to be held in Fort Collins, CO in June of 2012. Carmen is a strong supporter of building the Paso Fino breed in the Northwest and Western United States.  She focuses on working with amateur owners for both pleasure riding and showing.

Synergy Stables is looking forward to a continued partnership with Carmen and in developing our facility for additional Paso Fino activities and support for people in the Northwest.

Save the Date

Memorial Day Weekend, May 28 - 29, 2011

Synergy Stables is excited to announce our second annual Memorial Day Paso Fino Riding and Training Clinic with this year's clinician, Carmen Michelleti. Carmen is a senior Paso Fino judge, trainer, breeder, and leader in the Paso Fino breed.

Details and registration information will be available in January 2011 on our website. Carmen Michelleti is dedicated to helping build the Paso Fino breed in the West and in developing more opportunities for showing and other Paso Fino activities. Don't miss this chance to receive this outstanding training for you and your horse.

Partnerships

At Synergy Stables we put alot of emphasis on partnerships. First and foremost, we strive to work as partners with our horses and develop that partnership to the best of our ability.
We also work in partnership with our leasors and boarders for the best care and the most fun and learning possible with our horses. We are family partners and we develop partnerships in the community.

We recently developed a new partnership in the community with Benton-Lane Winery. At Synergy Stables, we're big fans of both horses and wine (not at the same time of course...no drinking and riding) and are delighted that we discovered this unique opportunity for partnership.




Benton-Lane Winery places a strong emphasis on organic and sustainable farming, and they do extensive composting at their harvest time to give back to the land over time. Leaves, stems, etc. have no place in a bottle of fine wine, but paired with horse manure and other organic material, the by-product is a rich compost. That's where we come in. Our horse manure; their organic matter.

So, just when that mound of horse manure was looking insurmountable as we were headed into the fall rainy season, the Benton-Lane Winery truck and tractor showed up to save the day. Ta da! No more manure (for a brief moment) and not only that, our horse manure is recycling back to soil to grow more grass to feed more horses and to produce...MORE MANURE. Yiikes!!! Must be why they call it a cycle. Thanks Benton-Lane. We'll keep it coming and hope you keep needing it.

Lynn Gallup Clinic is Coming

We're excited to announce that on Memorial Day weekend, we are planning a great Paso Fino Clinic with one of our favorite trainers, Lynn Gallop of Gracewood Farm Paso Fino Horses, from New Hill North Carolina. Lynn has 34 years of dedication and passion in the Paso Fino breed. She is a Senior Certified Paso Fino judge, breeder, trainer, and instructor. Her 2007 Oregon and Alaska clinics received rave reviews. Here's a clinic picture from the 2007 Oregon clinic.

Lynn is also experienced with other gaited breeds, and although this clinic will give a priority for Paso Finos, Lynn is also a Mountain Horse judge with experience with the Rocky Mountain and Kentucky Mountain gaited horses. We welcome other gaited breeds to participate in the clinic.

Lynn places a strong emphasis on a versatile, well-rounded horse suitable for trail and recreational riding. As a Senior Certified Paso Fino judge, Lynn know what it takes to win in the show ring. So, whether your focus is trail and recreational riding or show, Lynn can help you meet your goals. Above all, Lynn can help you get the best and smoothest gait from your horse.

Be sure and register before May 1 for the price of $200 for the weekend clinic ($225 for registration received after May 1). The clinic will run from 9 am to 4 on Saturday and Sunday, May 29 - 30. Auditors are welcome, and the cost is $15/day or $25 for both days. Stalls for your horse and RV camping are both available. $10/day or $25 for the weekend for stalls and same for RV camping (limited hook ups). Paso Fino clinic participants must be members of the NW Paso Fino Horse Association. See website for membership information.

On Friday night, May 28, there will be a Paso Fino demo and potluck for clinic participants, friends, and neighbors at 6 pm. No charge. Just bring a dish and a lawn chair and join the fun.

Contact Mary Schoenheit Stadum at Synergy Stables for the clinic registration form and more information. maryschoenheit@gmail.com or 541-232-7702.

Hope to see you there!!!

We’re the Champs!!!!

Mary and July del Norte brought home the Paso Fino Pleasure Championship from the Evergreen Gaited Horse Classic in Puyallup, WA on July 19, 2009. Yeah for us!!! This was the first year that the Evergreen Classic was a “pointed show” for the Paso Finos and the first ever riding championship for Mary’s Alaska Paso Fino Horses. July was Bella Forma (halter) Paso Fino Champion at the Oregon State Fair in 2008, but the thrill of a riding championship was overwhelming and 11 years in the making.

And, riding partner Molly Brockway brought home the blues in spades with Lucero del Norte. Molly rode Lucero to a third place championship in the Paso Fino Pleasure Championship, a first place in English Pleasure 2-Gait, competing against all gaited breeds, another blue in Paso Fino Country Pleasure and yet another blue in Open Equitation, demonstrating her excellent riding skills.

Friend Laura Moy provided July with a relaxing massage, cheered us on, provided “room service,” for the horses, and trudged back and forth with equipment, loading and unloading. Thanks Laura for your support crew efforts.

We also enjoyed visiting with all our Paso Fino friends from far and wide. The Paso Finos were represented by 17 horses from WA, OR, and ID. Great turn out. Thanks to everyone for representing the Paso Finos so beautifully, for the good sportsmanship, and good chatting.

Show Success!!!

Mary and our leasers Juliana and Lynne had great success at the Gaited Spectacular 2009 held in Albany, OR last week and hosted by the NW Pleasure Tennessee Walking Horse Association.

Some highlights:

Mary came home with a Reserve Championship with July Del Norte and Lynne a Fourth Place Championship in Open Gaited Breed 2-gait. Mary also took a blue with July for In-Hand Trail.

Mary and Lynne won matched pairs, it was the second year in a row that Lucero Del Norte and July Del Norte have won this honor, can they do it a 3rd time?

Juliana took home a 1st in 'Never Done this Before' with Lucero and a 3rd in Novice Trail with Precious.

Mary & Juliana made their off-side dismount and remount in the Paso Fino Country Pleasure class, and Mary brought home the championship with July, and Juliana the reserve champion with Lucero.

Many more ribbons were won and everyone had a great time, but they sure were tired! Next up: Evergreen Gaited Classic in Puyallup, Washington!