NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON

Thank you for visiting.  We are in the process of updating this ancient website.  Please be patient!  A whole new look is coming soon.  Despite our outdated look, we are not outdated at Synergy Stables.  Information on our website is current, just a bit disheveled, and we're working on that.

Lazy summer days in the horse pasture

Synergy Stables has been in business since 2008 providing quality care for our own horses and for our clients for nearly 15 years. From the beginning we endeavored to make our stable the best horse home possible and worked and learned and adapted to changes and unexpected events that came our way.  In these challenging times, we continue to adapt as necessary to provide quality horse care, maintain our facility, and provide a safe and caring environment for all.

Our boarding services are partial care with seven boarding stalls available in our 12 stall barn.  We focus on Paso Fino and other gaited horses, but all breeds and disciplines are welcome.  All our stalls have outdoor runs and daily pasture turn out for all horses.  Please contact us if we can assist you with boarding needs.  See our Synergy Stables Facebook page for detailed information.

In 2019, we added equine facilitated psychotherapy to our services with a trained therapist and knowledgeable horse person, Mary Marquez.  Our program has grown and offers therapy for both adults and teens.  If you are interested in equine facilitated psychotherapy, please contact Mary Marquez directly through Alive Holistic Counseling in Eugene, OR at 541-357-3248. 

In late 2020 we launched our lesson program, offering private riding lessons for children 10 and up and teens and adults.  Instructor Sarah Lichtenwalner of Patient Partners Riding Instruction is a retired middle school teacher, a life-time horse lover, and a long-time horse owner.  She focuses on learning about horses from the ground up, being patient, and having fun.  Our lesson program expanding in 2022, and we now offer specialty riding lessons focusing on riding the gaited horse.  We offer lessons on Paso Fino and Rocky Mountain horses.  We also offer a "Horsin' Around program, a ground based lesson program for people who want to spend time with horses, learn about safety and handling, but are not yet ready to ride or who may not want to ride. And, we are very user friendly and supportive for "Senior Riders."  We encourage our senior friends to get back in the saddle again or build the skills to get in the saddle for the first time.  

Visit our Synergy Stables Facebook page to keep up on all the latest details and check back for the roll out of our new website.  

The Synergy Stables Team at the 2019 Oregon State Fair

Our sister business is Territorial Farm Stay and Stable. Our country  Farm Stay has attracted people from all over the world to stay in the beautiful South Willamette Valley wine country.  We offer "Glamping on the Farm" in our modern RV Guest House with all the amenities.  We also offer "Bring Your Own RV" Farm Stays and participate in the Harvest Host program on a space available basis. We have also provided short term stabling for many folks traveling with horses, and we enjoy hosting guests from all walks of life to enjoy the country and participate in equestrian activities.  Please visit the Territorial Farm Stay and Stable and Synergy Stables Facebook pages for more information on our farm and location.  

Our family farmhouse 

Fern, Our Friendly RV Guest House


We love all our horse friends and travelers and look forward to gathering together.  Contact us for your equestrian needs and we'll do our best to accommodate you and your horses.  Stay safe out there.

Horses and Wine and More

We have a great new blog and website that tells all about the expansion at Synergy Stables with the addition of our Bed and Breakfast and Barn.  Visit us at Horses and Wine and More to learn about the options for bed and breakfast rooms in our cozy farm house and RV or horse trailer with living quarters parking and stalls for guests traveling with horses.

We also now offer "farm stays," that gives our guests the opportunity to "live the country lifestyle" by participating in farm chores, including horse care, and other activities to learn about farm life. Learn more about the farm stay concept, long popular in Europe and Australia by visiting Horses and Wine and More.

Tell your friends about us.  We are a great place to stay if you are traveling with horses, want to escape to the country life, or want to stay in the heart of Oregon wine country.  Remember us if you need a place to stay while attending events at the Oregon Horse Center or if you are attending a wedding or a sports event in our area. Email or call us for more information.

Horsin' Around at Synergy Stables

Synergy Stables now has a new leasing program called Horsin’ Around.  If you’d love to spend time with horses, get comfortable with a horse, learn more about horses, and enjoy a little barn time, then Horsin’ Around is for you.   Available for adults and for youth 12 and over.

We’ll match you with one of our beautiful Paso Fino horses to groom, handle, and learn more about communicating and working with horses.  Great for beginners, folks that have always loved horses but are afraid or don’t know where to start, or a nice tune up for an experienced horse person that would like to get back in the saddle.  This is not a riding program, but there are leasing & riding options for folks after spending time in the Horsin’ Around program.

You may be able to participate in Horsin’ Around if you have special needs or limited mobility.  We can talk and see if the program is right for you.

The Horsin’ Around program includes a weekly 1 ½ hour session with a horse in either our outdoor arena or in our cozy indoor arena out of the rain. We will help you achieve your goals for learning about and working with horses.  You can develop a special relationship with “your horse” and also have the opportunity to handle some of our other horses.  You have the option to learn about and help out with barn chores as well.

Cost is $100/month for weekly session.  Contact us to schedule a free 1 hour introduction to Synergy Stables and our horses.  See you at the barn.

Bed & Breakfast & Barn at Synergy Stables

We are excited to announce a great new addition to Synergy Stables....our new Bed and Breakfast and Barn,  Territorial Bed and Breakfast, in the heart of Oregon horse and wine country. We are 15 minutes from the Oregon Horse Center, home of the amazing Mountain Trail competitions in the spring and the fall. We are also minutes from numerous wonderful wineries, featuring delicious Oregon Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

We now offer two guest rooms in our farm house, and we also offer two RV/horse trailer parking spaces, along with stalls for folks traveling with horses. So, bring your horse and share our cozy farm house with comfortable private rooms, shared bath, living area, satellite TV, WiFi, covered deck, and patio with fire pit.  We serve a generous continental breakfast and a farm breakfast on Sunday morning.

Or, set up your RV or living quarters trailer right next to your horse in our country setting and make yourself right at home. Hook up to electricity and water.  WiFi is also available.  We are also only four miles from Guaranty RV, one of the largest RV dealers in the West, and they offer a free dump station.

We offer four safe, comfortable, covered stalls for our equine visitors.  Bedding included.  Plenty of fresh water handy to fill buckets.  

After you are rested up, enjoy the use of our large all-weather outdoor sand arena or if the weather is bad, use our smaller indoor arena.  We have 7 1/2 acres of pasture with some options for pasture time for our visitors.  

We book our rooms and RV parking through AirBnB, a great website for finding great places to stay in all kinds of properties all over the world.  Click on the link, and it will take you to one of our RV parking links.  Other links are available to book our guest rooms. Come see us.  We're looking forward to hosting you and making new friends.

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!

Lessons/Equine Facilitated Therapy

Coming Soon   - New Lesson Program - Summer 2020

We are in the process of developing a new lesson program at Synergy Stables for teens and adults.  We hope to roll this program out with appropriate safety precautions for Covid-19 in the summer of 2020.  We will focus on basic English and Western riding and horsemanship skills for beginning and intermediate riders in a safe and supportive environment. There will also be an option for intermediate/advanced riders to explore the world of Paso Fino riding. Email us at synergyor@gmail.com to get on our mailing list for the lesson program updates.  

Juliana with Paso Fino Pleasure Champion Moreno del Norte
Oregon State Fair 2019

Meghan and Sarah celebrating Open Gaited Breed win
Oregon State Fair 2019

Available Now - Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy

In 2019 Synergy Stables began offering equine facilitated psychotherapy with our long-time Synergy Stables friend and horse woman extraordinaire, Mary Ellen Tyson. Mary offers her services at Synergy Stables through her work with Alive Holistic Counseling. A trained therapist, Mary is also a life long horse woman and received additional training in equine therapy from The Natural Lifemanship Institute.  Mary's work focuses on learning and healing through the horse and human connection.

Mary and Orion with July 

With so many challenges in our world right now, there has never been a more important time to focus on well being and good health and coping skills.  To address those needs, we are planning to expand our equine therapy offerings in the coming months.  Stay tuned.  

About Us

Synergy Stables is owned by the mother and daugther team of Mary Schoenheit and Jerri Gillean.


Mary grew up riding American Saddle Horses in Missouri and has been passionate about horses all her life. Mary bought her first two Paso Fino horses, July del Norte and Lucero del Norte, over 22 years ago in Alaska when they were only two years old. She raised a foal , Moreno del Norte, from her mare July, and the three "del Nortes" developed into wonderful, trusted riding companions and trail and show horses. They are still the force and inspiration for Mary's work with Paso Finos after 22 years.

Mary lived for 34 years in Alaska working and raising her family. She was an active member of the horse community there and helped promote Paso Finos and other gaited horses. In 2007, Mary relocated to Junction City, OR to realize a life-long dream of owning a horse farm. Mary added Little Red to her Paso Fino family in 2008, and a few years later she and daughter Jerri acquired Legado, so she now owns five Paso Finos and loves to educate and share information about Paso Fino Horses. She is a long-time member and past president of the NW Paso Fino Horse Association. After a long career in the nonprofit industry and owning a consulting firm, Mary turned her full attention to Synergy Stables and her sister business Territorial Bed and Breakfast and Barn, with facilities for travelers and their horses. She is an active community member in the Junction City area.

 Jerri first discovered Paso Finos from her mom Mary and was hooked! Bruce and Betty Reed of Reed's Ranch in Colton, OR took Jerri under their wing and sold her Precious, her first Paso Fino horse.

Jerri developed her horsemanship and riding skills as an adult. She has a strong interest in natural horsemanship, which she used with both her Paso Fino and her Morgan. She is a level 2 Parelli graduate and believes in using natural horsemanship techniques to create a safe and positive learning environment for both the horse and rider.

In recent years, Jerri has stepped back from horses and focused on her dog passion, but she remains a  a dedicated partner in Synergy Stables and owns her own project management consulting business.  She and her dalmatian, Meisje, along with Toy Manchester Terrier, Jackie, live and play at the farm, when they are not traveling to breed and agility competitions.   Jerri has recently added a badly needed tractor to the farm equipment and enjoys supporting the farm and stable by doing tractor work, landscaping and farm improvement projects.  She is very involved in the dog agility community and volunteers and keeps fit when she is not working in her consulting business or on the farm.

Our Facility

Synergy Stables is a small, privately owned, family facility near Junction City, OR, about 12 miles north of Eugene. Our focus is natural horsemanship and gaited horses, although all breeds are welcome. On our 10 acres, we have two small homes, both occupied by the family owners. Our horse facility includes:

• Large outdoor, all-weather, sand arena
• Lighted indoor arena
• 12 plus stall barn with individual runs (electric fence)

• Secure feed room
• 4 stall guest barn for travelers
• Hay storage
• Horse trailer parking
• 7 1/2 acres of pasture

We are committed to maintaining a friendly and safe facility with excellent care for our boarders and family horses.