We're back

[Boyd R]

Well I am back from an absolute wonderful weekend. Su and I arrived Friday evening around 5pm. And were quite taken by such a large and well layed out facillity. We got Porcy and Two unload and settled in. Then got our selves into our spot and rearanged. We thought about taking a quick spin on the trails but wanted to be there to meet Dave and Dixie that were about an hour behind us. :roll: :roll: :roll: In the meantime we visited with one of the Two couples that had arrived before us. Once Dave and Dixie had arrived we could see storm clouds rolling so any thought of a ride was out. And it hit just as they were backing into the RV sight. Su and I jumped in our truck and were going to wait for the storm to pass before going to visit. Well it was flat :evil: :evil: :evil: nasty storm and Only amplified by our aluminum topper. Little need to say socializing got put on hold. About 1 am I was awakend by the sound of what I first percieved to be a tornado fixin to eat us up. Turned out to be Stella Makeing Laps around us in one of them Ford Diesles. Heart back in my chest and back to sleep.
The next morning I was up before dawn tacked up the kids and off Su and I were off on a quick 5 miler. And quick it was, these flat sandy trails are quick to cover ground on. Porcy was an absolute pill but what the hey a day on a bad Paso beats a great day on any other.
We got back to camp for a quick breakfast and Then a saddle fitting clinic put on by Riley Kester. Where we got a good introduction on proper fit of a saddle. What to look for and what to avoid. After that Ms. Stella gave a great clinic on Endurance riding and Gaited Dressage.
At some pointe we had lunch and then tacked up for an afternoon of riding. We really had a great time riding with other Pasos' and had none of the screaming that Su and I have come accustomed to hearing from our other riding companions. Porcy was still a pill or just trying to show Stella how good of a candidate she would be for dressage training. I vote for Pill though. Two of course had his seperation anxieties. General was doing 2 mile for our 1. Boy he loves to run in circles, That or Lori had a little to much Hooch.
We returned for a wonderful Lazanya dinner followed by some great conversasion. Some had to leave and others hung out to chat some before we got the Idea to have a 6:30am ride and all got to bed early.

We were up again at the crack of dawn and off we were on our 3rd ride of the weekend Porcy was much better today but I think she over done herself and is going to be feeling it for a few days. We got back from the ride to get a bite to eat before Vicky Toporek arrived to give us another clinic on saddle fitting and equine therepies and how they relate. After Vickies clinic a field trial club also using the facilities invited us into the club house for a wonderful rice and chicken Lunch.

After lunch we all packed up and said our goodbyes until next year. And those of you that did'nt make it You missed out on one wonderful weekend and you best make plans for next year.

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/44098PFHA_1st_National_trail_ride_002_int.JPG.jpg
getting ready to ride out

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/44098Stella_and_Dixie_int.JPG.jpg

Stella and Dixie

Su

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/44098susy_int.JPG.jpg

On the trail with APF.com

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/44098The_ride_APF_int.JPG.jpg

Group watering

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/44098The_water_hole_int.JPG.jpg

Two and Porcy sharing a drink

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/44098Porcy_and_Two_drink_int.JPG.jpg

And Our Grand Welcome Home

http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/44098There_home_int.JPG.jpg

[motorgypsy]

Sure sorry we missed it. Sounds like you guys had a great time. General can really move out!! A combination of not wanted to tent in a storm and the cost of gas for the long trip made us finally decide to stay here and do all the work we need to do. Sure wish we could have gone!!

[paintedhorizon]

Sounds great! I like that pic of Angelica and Stella! I'm coming next time!

[Dave]

We had a GREAT time!!! Super folks, great meals, nice trails and informative clinics. The trails seemed like you were riding along the coast. Very nice facilities and campground. We think we're going to join Piedmont so we can get in on some of the other rides planned for the summer. Nice to meet other APF and Paso people from the Carolinas, hope we can do it again real soon!

Boyd, sorry about Fri night we should have called! We stopped to help a stray puppy and it put us further behind.

[CarolU]

Looks like ya'll had fun!!! What a great ride!

I think we need to see MORE PICTURES though! ;-)

[paintedhorizon]

Ditto Carol!

Dave, that's so sweet! Did you keep the pup?

[motorgypsy]

Dave it looks like the coast because it WAS the coast - millions of years ago the ocean was right there.

[stella]

Ditto, it was a GREAT TIME! And thanks Boyd, for getting up and showing me where the barn was - NO sign coming from the south on Rt 1 for turn- then, NO sign for horsey stuff, like Barn etc at NIGHT in a FOREST it is kinda hard - over an hour spent getting unlost, but WELL WORTH IT for the terrific company!

The trails were great, and the facilities VERY nice...Boyd forgot to mention we ATE, rode, ATE, had clinics/demos, and ATE again.....!!!

Galapando TV videoed in the am on Sat, and dont worry, I'm sure Lynn G will post some more pics, she took what seemed like a zillion! Liked your pics too Boyd, esp of the one of your two drinking, very artsy and calming.....
And yes motorgypsies, was disappointed not to see you there, I thought FOR SURE.....here it was, South Carolina, and most people were from NC or Ga! Us SCarolinians must make a better showing next year! Gotta say, it was my first time in this park, it was REALLY a WONDERFUL PARK! I think there's an Endurance ride there soon, that some pasos are going on, great trails for sure!

Painted Horizon, help me find SOMEONE ELSE I trust as much as you to feed for me, and you'll go with me next year, for sure! Maybe the Sept Piedmont ride there.

[motorgypsy]

For us Stella most of the GA and NC things are closer to us. We're maybe 15 miles from the NC line and perhaps 60 from the GA line. Cheraw was over three hours. We would have loved to have gone and would have bitten the bullet if they hadn't predicted storms all weekend. I know you guys had great fun!

We're still cutting downed timber from the ice storm. We'll probably go to Hallelujah in Camden to socialize but won't ride. I don't like night endurance rides. I'm fine for a slow night ride but the one I did wasn't fun - riding at a canter along the side of a highway with cars coming, being blinded by the lights and not knowing what bottles, cans, snakes or holes were hidden in the tall grass. Camden won't be like that but it's wooded and again, roots, rock, holes and snakes are always a possibility since the poisonous snakes come out at night.

[Boyd R]

Yes Dave what happened with the pup on Sunday. Do You now have 3.

[baileyholc]

I hope to get to go next time. I would have been their this time if it wasn't for Tina and the reading she most desperatly wanted to do on sunday morning. She was great. I am proud of my baby girl. I just wish Kathy would take part in the church once in a while. Anyway, I'm glad yall all had fun.

[LynnG]

The weather was beautiful on Saturday~! Had a great morning ride~!

Yep, have lots of photos..many are posted on piedmont's website on the gallery page.

While everyone was resting in the shade after the afternoon clinics and morning ride, I did a bridleless riding demo for Galapondo TV. That was alot of fun as it was in the large outdoor sandy arena which was the largest arena I had ever ridden Ladybug in bridleless. It gave us some room to really move ... all gaits: walk, corto, largo, and canter, and a big figure eight. She performed beautifully. They taped it, so no telling where it could surface! Ladybug gaits best and is happiest with nothing on her head, but we didn't try the trail ride like that!

Glad to meet some new APF members also. There were even Paso Fino owners who came form the Outer Banks of NC! Wow, I didn't know there were Paso Finos there. That sounds like a neat place for a late fall beach ride!

[Dave]

Apparently the puppy has a home (how good is debatable) but a neighbor said he would keep her out of the road until they got home. Lynn, we missed the bridleless part...that sounds pretty cool! Guess we'll have to wait for the video. Thanks everyone for all the great pictures since we forgot our camera! :duh

MG, I saw the info you posted in the other forum about Sand Hills. Very interesting, had no idea, definately felt like you were 1 mile from the coast not 100.

[echo]

We had a blast at the Sand Hills ride! What fun to meet new Paso Friends, and catch up with others. I got to meet BOYD and SUE, Porcy, and Two. Porcy is even prettier in person than in her photos! I won't say that of Boyd 8-) .
We met some really nice and interesting folks on the ride, affirming my belief that most Paso Fino folks are good eggs. We met Dave and Dixie Delozier, Bill Hewett and his fiance Judy , Bill and Susan Masciangelo, and Mike Prevatte, and enjoyed getting to know each of them. I know we have made lasting friendships, and hope to ride together again. We were delighted to see Jeanne Griggs, Eddie Velazquez, Lynn Gallup, Milda Minter, and Stella Manberg-Wise, and got to catch up.

Here's a photo of the guest barn at the H. Cooper Black Recreational area (24 stalls, I think). It was really nice! There is also an air-conditioned clubhouse with attatched kitchen, large arena, and nice bathhouse on the campground. It was an ideal setting for a big group trail ride.


http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/22792SandHills6May06barn_4826-med.jpg

Here's Riley Kester during the sattle fitting clinic. I really enjoyed that!
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/22792SandHills6May06_4837-med.jpg

"Too much hooch", huh Boyd? I had to ask around to figure out what "Hooch" is. :lol: I WISH General's issue was my fault. I've been trying for years to figure out the little turkey. Unfortunately, he acts like a "nervous Nelly" for other riders as well. I think he's just got about 2 cups too much brio. If you noticed me doing anything to make him act up, PLEASE let me know, I would LOVE to find a cure for his overexcitement in groups.

[motorgypsy]

Lori he's not over revved - the rest are just under revved!!! He and Chinook and Brandy did great together as did Lula and Kalua with him on another ride. Gotta love those high octane pasos!! Once you're through showing him a few endurance rides and a couple of speed shows and he'll learn to chill! I'mc convinced that's what calmed Chinook - if you can call her calm!!! But considering all she used to do was fino and run around like TAZ on a leadline she's much much better. I was actually amazed at her at the fun show she did so well. Of course now her thing is balking which is also a major pain!!! Don't you love a challenging horse?? He is really neat though and you ride him soooo well!

[Minouri]

I love when ppl share stories of their adventures and pictures! thanks!

[Boyd R]

I wasn't behind you enough to really see what was going on other than possibly lead issues like Porcy had. How was he out front or did you ever get there.

[paintedhorizon]

Isn't Mike Prevatte a whoot? I ride with him monthly on a local trail ride around here and just love him!

Echo, those are good pics!

[DebbieS]

Great pics Boyd and Lori!! Looks like you all had a wonderful weekend!!

Thanks for sharing. :D