Paso Heros,who's helped you along the way

[Serendipity]

Every thought about those who have helped you along the way with your Pase to help you grow and be better, they are heroes really people you look up to. This is a list of mine. I Appreciate all of these ladies and want them to know they are a very important part of my life as friend, trainers and those that were there to give me a kick in the Butt ;-) when I need.

Robin Ratliff- Is an awesome no nonsense trainer, she tells it like it is and pulls no punched .She has helped me ride better and taken time to answer my questions. She is an asset to the community and I look forward to sending Calco to her from his training I know I get a horse back that is everything I want.

Sandy Mixson-Met her at the shows and we affectionate call her the t-shirt Lady. Sandy is awesome friend she will make you laugh when you want to cry. She give her extensive knowledge freely, you ask and she will tell. One of our biggest high lights to going to a show is getting to see Sandy, She is also Jinx's #1 fan and puppy sitter. Dinner is always grand with Sandy ask her about EWOES or the Soy Milk :lol: ,Sandy you are a treasure friend and Heath and I are so lucky to have as a friend!

Stefanie Schermerhorn-My Canadian Friend Another tell it like it is, She has patiently schooled me in conformation and genetics and riding and put up with me trying to learn Bella Forma on the Paso Fino Horse. I enjoy working with her she has a very careful breeding program. She holds her horses highly and will give the brutally honest truth then help you figure out the right way to go. I look forward to showing with her this year and so on. Thanks Steff we are going to have lots of Fun.

Henrietta Ratliff-She is an Asset to the breed but her heart is bigger yet. If it was not fr her I would not have my Prueba or my Calabaza. We stopped by the by Greener Pasture Ranch to look at horse and found Prueba but we had just started out Vacation and I would not be able to come back till after X-mas to pick the horse I wanted. She of course asked for a down payment to hold this mare I had just $10 on me (I live on Plastic) She let my down payment be $10 and held her for me at no extra Charge. I will forever be grateful for her for this and for Calabaza.

Thank you all ladies for being you!

[dana]

If you rephase that to read who started versus who helped, for me, that would have to be Jackie Garamella from Wind Song Farms. she walked into a difficult situation herself when she first met her husband. he had 45-50 head of pasos and had NO idea what to do with them. but jackie knew she had to have help. so she hired myself and the guy i worked for back in 1977. was a nightmare. two year old stallions that were not gelded or even halter broke. four year old stallions that had been used for breeding the year before and one not even halter broke!

was THAT an experience! everything we knew about starting colts went right out the window. for the first 30 days we did not have the typical appy, arab or quarter horse colts to work with and every time we had a question for Jackie on what we should be doing with these cat like horses, she always told us, she would find out. And she Did!

you should of seen us! when we told her a rawhide bosal just did NOT work on these pasos, she told us she would find out what would work. when she showed us this funny headset with the two funny knots tied on the side, i'm sure our mouths must of dropped as we looked at her and said . . . . "you really think we can control these March Hares with those two little knots?"
but she was right and we did. never worked better!

Thanks for everything, Jackie! Very Sincerely!

dana

[Minouri]

John Kennedy - just a local retired man who would drive out to my place and give me hours of instruction on natural horsemanship and ground training for $20. He took the fear of horses being bigger than me away. He also worked with Scooter until we had a partnership relationship.

Bridgette - my dressage trainer who took the time to learn about Pasos before being to instruct me on how to ride mine. She made learning dressage fun. (previously I had only experienced very angry instructors). She listened to my goals and she used what she knew to help me attain those goals.

[Linda Y]

Rosalie MacWilliam - I would never have found Cuca if it hadn't been for her.
Stan Snider - helped me out in a time of need.
Tami Pinell - Made Cita a trail horse and made me realize I could ride her.

[jmtw]

Lori started it all. I blame her.
Numerous others helped along the way.
Cyndy and Jim.
Deb Deckert.
Pasomom
Linda Y
and of course, Stan Snider.

If I left anyone out, my apologies.
It happens when you're as braindead as I am. :smile:

[RR]

You guys forgot the first and formost important person in the Paso industry. If it wasn't for him you most likely would not have the breeding stock you have now.
Mr. Dave Jones

For you newbies to the breed here is a little information about this wonderful, kind, man.

http://www.pasodefe.com/Breed/
http://www.pasodefe.com/Breed/saddlea.htm

[TrueStepPaso]

**Juan Paredes at Paso Fino del Fuego Farm.**

...and, Michael Bruce & Bobby Yunits at del Fuego, too.


......How about Jose Rubero for organizing some serious Paso fever-fed events here in the NorthEast, like the PR parade in NY that is unbelievable, for starters.....

[Mellifluous]

Hmmm, I would have to say that I have made TONS of wonderful contacts/aquaintences/friends through this board and the other one. They have graciously put up with my innane questions, requests for advice, general rants and such. There are a few people that have really made a direct impact on my paso life and I would not be where I am nor have the horses I have without them.

Tami Pinell - I got my very first Paso Fino from her. She has always been helpful and goes above and beyond the call of duty. Her honesty and integrity are unshakable. I really admire her and her tenacity through the many challenges she has faced. She won't give up where others would - she gives life 110% and I really admire that about her.

Lynn Gallup - I have never met her, but I look forward to it someday! Without her, I would not have my precious Phoebe. She gave me the heads up about her and made sure everything worked out where I could get her. She has listened to me and given me a world of advice and shared her vast knowledge of the breed with me. I appreciate her honesty and willingness to share and help.

Cowboy Ed - Where do I start? He is one of the most down to earth, laid back, personable people I have ever met. He is honest and tells it like it is, but with the grace of a southern gentleman. He took my insecure, spooky young horse and turned her into an all around do it all Paso. His kind words and patience have given me confidence in working with all of my horses. He also tolerates my warped sense of humor.

Those are my "big 3" :D

[qltrlori]

Hey! Thanks for the link to the Dave Jones article! I am so excited! One of the photos in the article is the sire of my mare (Sin Verguenza)! I have asked all around for photos of him, and now I run across one by accident!

Lori

[RR]

Lori,
If you would like I can give you Dave's phone number and maybe he could give you more info. He loves, I MEAN LOVES, to talk about the paso's from the past. He is getting up in the years but I tell you what, he still remembers the loves of his life.

[qltrlori]

I would love to have his number! Thanks!

Lori

[RR]

He is such a sweet man. I just got off the phone with him and he said that he would love it if you called him. Like I said, he loves to talk about the paso fino, I have called him a few times when I had questions or needed advise. Just make sure you have time on your hands and be prepared to have a nice long talk.
Here is his number (850)997-4838

[DebbieS]

Farrah Green - I'd heard about her Natural Horsemanship skills and classes she was offering at the local arena. I called her and told her I'd love to bring my Paso and learn with him, but I couldn't get him in the trailer! She came to my house and helped me catch him (he was pretty wild and scared of people from prior abuse). It took about an hour, but she taught him to load (the Parelli way). The second time only took about 20 min, and then he would go right in. We learned so much that summer! I was actually riding my horse with a halter/leadrope by fall.

Lindsey and Adam Cooney - I met them on the old bb. They invited me to come to their farm in NE and visit them and their wonderful horses so I could see what a trained Paso felt like. I was hooked and wanted Lindsey to finish Listo's training. He stayed with them for the winter and I've never regretted it. He is so perfect! He will go anywhere, do anything.

I'd also like to thank everyone on the bb that encouraged us along the way. You are all very special!

[CarolU]

Other then my one sister and brother, most people in my life have always tried to discourage me owning so many horses. I think they both know me and place more importance on my heart and happiness and are both delighted that I again have my horses as my No. 1 priority. Once I was in the breed I had no encouragement until I found the pf.com BB. Once there, I felt like I was 'home'....so many people with the same priorities I have. There are four though whom have helped me in more ways then I can count.

Stella - Who helped teach me how to train Paso Finos and get their best out of them. She also taught me the beautiful uniquness of the Eblis line horses and what a special relationship you can have with these incredible animals.

Lynn Gallup - Who helps me ALL the time, especially lately with Bruiser and Bella, filling my ignorance gap about broodmares and babies. She's always there when I need her.

Judi Bradbury - Who most of you probably don't know, but she is a delegate in Great Western, the Chair of the PFHA Ethics Committee, the Show Chairman for High Desert, the organizer of all things Paso in Utah, and mose importantly, my very best friend. We've laughed, and cried, and learned many things together. I don't know what I'd do without her.

Linda Parelli - You're probably wondering why I'd put Linda in a PF list, but she has filled all those holes in Pat's program so we can understand the 'why' and 'how to' of things he makes look so easy. I can't say enough good about the new Level II program and how much you learn about different kinds of horses. It has really helped me and my Pasos a lot.

[Pam M]

I owe a BIG thank you to Hollis Gammon, who leased me my paso and has been very gracious to deal with for more than 3 years now. He's been upfront about everything from day one.

Also, Cindy Griffith, who took a scared, difficult little mare and got her to where I feel quite safe on her. And she did it in a way that made my mare LESS scared of people. AND she did it in an unbelievably short time.

There's been many others on the BB who have helped me learn and understand the breed better - important since I don't know many people who have them around here and so many people are actually afraid of my girl. I might have given up if I hadn't had a place to go and read other experiences and see that I wasn't quite as alone as I thought I was!

[Fino1]

Without a doubt.............
Luella Becnel a founding member of the Northwest Region.
I met Lue way back in 1978. She was like a second Mom to my family. My daughter and I used to spend weekends at the her ranch.
I was there when Singer arrived at her ranch. Within a few short weeks, Lue had Singer (he had a tough pior life here and there) following her around like a puppy. He was quite a stallion.

And the other most important person was my husband, Bill Kielhamer without his ongoing support I never would of accomplished 25 some years having and loving Paso Finos. He bought me my first Paso, Viajero Hermoso aka Traveller (he's on Lynn G's site) as a surprise for Mother's Day.

Thanks for starting this thread!

Judy and Chloe the Bengal Cat

[JennLM]

Well being that I am really new with Pasos, the one person so far who has helped me the most with Pasos is CarolU. I am sure we will continue to have many many more PMs, emails and chats in person at the Vegas show = )

In general with horses, my Equine Science teacher/Rodeo Coach/Boss, Ron, was a great influence on me. He also happened to know Pat Parelli quite well and we were privvy to that kind of teaching and having him come to our college once in a while. I never did meet Linda and sorry I did not. Ron's wife also had an influence on me hehe but it was of the opposite kind on how NOT to be.

I think everyone I meet with horses will influence me a bit either way. Expand my knowledge or show me how not to be.

[LynnG]

I had a few early ones (not necessarily heros), but who had an influence.

First of all ...my ex-husband Landon Winstead (we've been divorced 20 years now..so not a hero). I met him at age 18 and he introduced me to Paso Finos. He himself was pretty new to horses then; he got interested from his sister Jeanne Belote who had Paso Finos in AL and later VA. Landon had a FCOL buckskin mare then a young 3 yr old...Pasiflora Sin Par [El Pastor x Gacela Sin Par (MM import)]..... Pasiflora I trained and showed quite abit from 1977 to 1984...she took me to 3 Natl titles and a few other national placements..this was a mare who could do it all...collect for performance and relax for pleasure, canter and do flying lead changes. She was silky smooth and could largo with the wind in perfect gait (I miss her). I would say if I didn't have the experience with this one mare, I wouldn't be here today most likely still with Paso Finos. So thanks to the ex for that. He also had owned PPR Viajero Hermoso (beautiful traveler), the gelding Judy K spoke about and owned. I showed "Traveler" to a Reserve Natl title in Pleasure Geldings at my first Natls in 1977. Both these Paso Finos were exceptional and sold many people on the breed, including me. Thank goodness for that!

Secondly my riding instructor and mentor Luke Huggins who was the head of the riding program and stables at meredith college in raleigh. He had experience with Spanish horses, and was very interested in knowing of the Paso fino. He was a great teacher on and off the horse about horsemanship and horses in general. I studied balanced seat riding one year there (age 18-19) , and he would allow me to come and ride in on other lesson sessions as I had the desire to learn. (he is deceased now.) :cry: I was surprised and honored when he showed up at one of my farm's Open Houses many years later... He was very good at captivating his audience with his stories and his matter of fact manner. WOW! Thanks Luke!

Thirdly, Dale Barnett, who was the head of the Equine Program at NCSU, when I was there on my second round of studies, and minor in ANS in 1989-1991. I enrolled in the equine conformation evaulation class which branched out to intercollegiate horse team judging. I really enjoyed this class and the trips we made to regional judging competitions. I did very well at the judging, though I despised doing the oral reasons part ..but that was part of the competition...... I did okay...it was just work for me being an older 30-something student compared to the 18-19-20 year old other students. I did well enough to be accepted into the equine evaluation II in the next semester, which about 10 of us competed at National level judging collegiate competitions, including the World AQHA show. Dale was always there with encouragement and friendship. Heck I was 2 years older then he was. So from there I went on, applied and became a PFHA judge in 1992. SO WOW..what an expereince, here I am.......... those are my biggest equine influences to where I am today.

....And though I have never met Dave Jones, his stories early on captivated me on the que tal horses, and the breed's qualities, that I have many of those same lines in my breeding program back in the early 80's and again into the next century. so thank you Dave Jones very much for your wisdom and knowledge and story-telling abilities!

:hello

[DSDECKERT]

Wow - that's a really good question!

First I'd have to say Dale Davis at Little Cherokee Ranch in Dover, Florida. If it hadn't been for Dale and the lease program she offered, I'd never have given a second thought to owning a Paso. I joined Dale's lease program in July of 2001 - this was my first formal introduction to Paso Finos - having before seen them as flighty show horses.

Next, I'd have to say Stan Snider - for breeding the most wonderful mare in the world, my SRS Bianca del Cabildo. Bianca and I have taught each other so much about horse/rider relationships! Bianca was the 3rd Paso I've ever ridden out at Dales, and she's that once in a lifetime horse for me.

From there, the list goes on and on....my friend Megan - who introduced me to Lynn Winston, who I purchased Jochi from....of course our own Lori, for the BB, and Cheri Prill and Ronnie Watkins for all of their friendship and support, Linda York, Motorgypsies, Cyndy, Joey, Shelley, and I forgot the most important person - My Mom, who lives with me and cares for the horses while I travel for work, which allows me to have them!

Sorry if I forgot anyone!!!

[appyday]

Dickk Teachout who sold me my first paso and really helped me along the way..

Carol U who is always on IM when I need her lol

[GeorgeGuns]

My #1 hero when it comes to Paso Finos is my first mare Arcadia de Azul. Through her I learned so much more than I realized when she was alive, I still learn from her 9 years after her passing, and expect I always will.

Many people over the years (TNTC, and most on this and prior BBs) have helped me figure out what to do or to look for or think about, but in the end, its the horses that have taught me the most.