Paso Fino Del Fuego Open House

[Minouri]

The only reason I'm here instead of there again this morning is the nasty headcold I came down with last night. I'm hoping it eases up so I can go see some of the fun show later.

Yesterday I was so proud to own a Paso Fino....and this time not because of Scooter. It was the warm welcome and friendly atmosphere that made me so proud to be part of that community.

Michael Bruce and Bobby Yunits could not have been more welcoming. They opened their barn and their home to us. Great breakfast and fantastic lunch.

At around 9 we went into their indoor and they worked with one person and their horse at a time. Some people grumbled that they were running late and I laughed. For free they were working with people on issues....and they were taking their time to really get to know each person and each horse. Waiting for my turn was tough, but that's the price you pay for not feeling rushed through when it's your turn.

I wish I had pictures of the day. My camera didn't work inside but my friend took hers. Hopefully hers did. When she sends them I'll post.

Scooter's eyes were still dialated but Michael said we'd try it out anyway. Essentially the advice they gave me was to work on the suppleness of Scooter's neck and his give (he was very stiff...which might have been from all of our recent trailriding and his time off). They gave me basic excercises. Scooter is somewhere on the spectrum between trotting and gaiting. That's why I never feel fatigued after a trailride but I also don't feel the gliding, flying feeling that some of the other pasos give.

If I had more money right now I'd take Scooter over there for lessons. I felt like I was learning so much so fast.

I loved watching them work with the other horses. I wish I were back there this morning but I'm pretty sure no one would thank me for spreading a cold around and hacking my way through the clinic.

I am absolutely going back next year!

I'm not sure if anyone from that barn reads this board, but I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you. Thank you for opening your facility to everyone. Thank you for listening so patiently and taking the time to break down your advice into instructions that I could take home and use. I can't say enough about how wonderful it was yesterday.

On a funny side note.....Tony came with me to the clinic. We were sitting in the indoor watching Bobby and Michael work with a horse and they were talking with another man. Someone said "That's Juan. Juan from the board."

I took a second look and said, "Oh, my gosh, I didn't recognise him with his shirt on."

You should have seen the look on Tony's face! It was priceless!

As far as meeting people from the board....I had the pleasure of seeing Abbie, Erin and Terri. My husband asked if I know them....I said yes. He said Didn't you just meet them once? Sure...if you say it that way it sounds like we shouldn't hug...lol But I feel like I know you all better than one trail ride.

I almost went home with Terri's boarder's bit.....whoopsie. Tony packed it in with my stuff and I forgot she'd even lent it to me since I used my bit for the clinic. I went about four shades of red when she asked me for it and I had to dig it out of my stuff! (All the time praying I hadn't left it in the barn and someone had taken it or something....whew)

I got to meet Laura! I wish I had spent more time chatting with her....I was a little scatter brained between tyring to figure out if Scooter should go into the indoor and what number horse we were on. Mirage was beautiful, though! I think my friend took pictures so we'll see how they come out.

Michael recognised some of the pictures I showed him from online. He laughed and said that he has seen my Scooter pictures and thought...that's a great gelding. I beamed like any proud mom would.

I'm going back to bed for a little while. I can't wait to hear how everyone else faired.

I bet the fun show is a hoot to watch! Some of the kids were great riders!

[ErinC]

I am not there , I am home too, I was at the ER with my daughter till 3:30
lastnight.
long story for another day!

O well...

BUt Kim came today and rode her horse,and I got on him too, he is great, and will be so perfect with her TLC!

[Minouri]

Erin,

I hope everything is ok. Sorry to hear about your rough night. :(

[ErinC]

thanks Ruth,
I am so tired!

all will be fine! just one of the bumps in the road we hate to hit!

[Minouri]

Well I'll send some prayers your way. And I hope the little hug I'm sending helps.

[Terri]

Wait a minute, you came down with a headcold AFTER I sat next to you yesterday. Ewwwwww.

I would like to 2nd everything Ruth said. A big fat thank you to Bobbie, Micheal and of course Juan. Oh and Abbie to, who took some time to show me how to file my horses hooves. I learned alot from the riders who went first. They didn't get to us until 4 or 5. One lady who went in the morning had trailering problems. She had problems getting the horse on the trailer and then when she would get her horse on then she would fly off at 100 miles an hour before she could finish. She was running out of neighbors to help her load when she wanted to go someplace. Hmmmmm, sounded familar, in fact sounded just like what Rio would do. Bobbie and Micheal helped alot!!! In fact this morning I loaded both my horses with just my 14 year old daughter helping and it went very smoothly. Yeah!!!!!

I did take both Rio and Mico back to the fun show today. Chrissy, my daughter, rode Rio and my neighbor's daughter rode Mico. It was a great riding lesson. They worked around cones and up and down the boards with Bobbie helping them. He did declare Mico to be the world's laziest Paso, but I knew that already.

I got to meet both Laura S and Lisa aka Marci. Abbie and Ruth were of course there. My friend Sue showed up to day with her mare, Novia, who just happens to be Mirage's 1/2 sister. Did I forget anyone? It was great fun. I can't go back tomorrow for the trail ride, family issues. Erin you and I are rowing the same boat on this one. Ugh. Kids!!!

But I think there are plans for a possible Thurs morning ride. Lisa is coming back! Yeah!

[lisa l aka marci]

YEP!!!! I'll be there!

It was great finally meeting Erin, Terri, Abbie.....and seeing other friends and acquaintances....I didn't get to see too much of the clinincs, but I DID get to ride Mico! hahahaha....I do have to agree.....Marci ay give him a battle for the laziest Paso! :D :D :D :D :D :D

Thursday mornin @8am we are meeting at Bobbys to go trail riding - I still don't have an itnerary, but I think my meeting is at about 1pm in Quincy. I'm meeting my brother and his family for dinner Wednesday night, riding Thursday, meeting and dinner on Thurs also, then IKEA on Friday morning....I'll be like a kid in a candy store!!!!

I'll post some info in another post, notes etc from the meeting we held Saturday afternoon....but, that will be omorrow - off to bed for me right now ;-) ;-) ;-) !!!!

[Terri]

8? I gotta put David on the school bus at 8:10, I can be there at 9. That okay?

You rode Mico? I thought you were gone by Sunday afternoon, he didn't show up until then?

[ErinC]

only pic I got that came out,
Laura
http://i12.tinypic.com/35lrgbq.jpg

[Minouri]

My friend sent these pics through photobucket. I hope they are the right size. I'm so excited that her pics came out!

I get confused between Laura's mirage and the woman who was on first. Both had beautiful horses. I hope I know which is which.

Are these all Mirage?
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l139/RMcLaughlin_07/Paso%20Fino%20Clinic/PA071263.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l139/RMcLaughlin_07/Paso%20Fino%20Clinic/PA071271.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l139/RMcLaughlin_07/Paso%20Fino%20Clinic/PA071252.jpg

[Minouri]

ok

[Minouri]

Me and Scooter playing while waiting for our turn.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l139/RMcLaughlin_07/Paso%20Fino%20Clinic/PA071274.jpg

Abbie is so sweet with Scooter. He just adores her!
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l139/RMcLaughlin_07/Paso%20Fino%20Clinic/PA071299.jpg

This is me preparing to hear Michael's evaluation of Scooter.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l139/RMcLaughlin_07/Paso%20Fino%20Clinic/PA071319.jpg

And finally Michael gives me some good tips on how to improve Scooter's gait. I was kind of overwhelmed with it all.....but I believe I know what he was talking about.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l139/RMcLaughlin_07/Paso%20Fino%20Clinic/PA071331.jpg

Looking at these pictures I'm so proud of Scooter. This was the first clinic I've ever taken him to and his vision was still distorted. A day like that makes me believe that it doesn't really matter if he does lose all of his vision. He's my best friend and we'll still have plenty of adventures together. Every time I worry if it will be ok, he amazes me with his trust in me. It's humbling, really.

The only time he was really scared was when I put him in the stall and left him. But he's never liked changing homes and that has been his only experience with new stalls.....that they happen when we move...probably thought he'd lost his buddy Snowy for good. They nuzzled like crazy when he got home.

Everyone was so nice that day to me and Scooter. What a great day. I didn't feel out of place at all with my back yard buddy.

[Terri]

AAAAACK, I am gonna get you for that one Ruth.

[Minouri]

:shock:

What? You mean you don't just love it? I was going to frame it for you! :lol:

[ErinC]

how did the trail ride go today?

[Minouri]

:roll: I stayed home today. Maybe someone has pics?

[Centauress]

Hey Abbie nice shirt! You have excellent taste...

I don't know what I like better, that or your new reins! :twisted:

[Centauress]

Terri -
Rio is lookin' pretty hot!

[Terri]

Ruth, loved the picture of Rio, could you photo shop me out of it?

Didn't make the trial ride today. Baaaad teenage weekend. Had to deal with it. Remember the thread about teenagers turning on you. It is all true!!! To bad, it was a beautiful fall day!

[Centauress]

Geez Terri - between you and Erin I'm glad the only kids I have are the furry kind! ;-)

[Terri]

Oh, Kim you should have seen the smoking Largo I got out of him on Saturday evening. He was amazing!

[Centauress]

Nothin' like a smokin' largo! Did it make your eyes water? Those are the best kind!!

[Terri]

teenagers, that is where gray hairs come from. Everybody should have one or two just to make sure the ulcer medicine makers stay in business.

[Terri]

eyes definitely watering. and big smile going. Unfortunately I was actually trying to get him to canter and he just largoed faster and faster. Worked for me!

[Pasogirlz]

I'm so jealous I wasn't there to have all that fun too. I had the longest day of travel back from Down Under.

I'm proud of Scooter too Ruth. 8-) He's awesome.

[Minouri]

Terri,

If you really don't like the picture ...I'm not sure how to pull it down. It's on my friend's photobucket. I can try.

I hope I didn't actually embarass you. It really IS a great picture of him and it's just funny how the pic caught you halfway on.

I'll shoot my friend an email asking her to pull that photo from her page. I bet that would do it.

[Terri]

It is okay Ruth don't worry about. I just look really old. Um maybe that is cause I am.

[Minouri]

I need a good slap you icon! That is not what I saw when I looked at the picture at ALL. I thought you were upset because your butt was up in the air....or you were concerned about how you mount......or just because you had a serious look on your face.

What is so wonderful about that picture is how proud and patient Rio is as you hop on him. Anyone looking at the picture probably thinks that first....then laughs because it's cute how you're halfway on.....and then goes back to thinking about how beautiful your horse is.

We all see the worst when we look at pictures of ourselves.

But come to think of it.....My friend made me a tshirt with a collage of pictures of me and Scooter. In one of the main pictures my shirt was blowing in the wind and I look 9 months pregnant. I couldn't wear the shirt till I used a pen to remove my fake pregnancy. So I understand how you feel......and I guess I won't slap you that hard.

[Laura S]

Hi Everyone! It was nice to meet you all. We had a great time at the clinic and I learned so much. Mirage got better every day. Saturday she had to do the roundpen because she thru a hissy fit, but by Sunday I rode her in the clinic and the fun show. I have some really nice trail ride pics from Monday that I'll post later when i get time. We didn't get back until 9 PM last night. And thanks Abbie for trimming her toes. You really did a nice job and I learned alot about hooves too! Bobby and Michael did such a nice job. We had a homemade lunch everyday and the food was delicious. They really made everyone feel so welcome. When we left they said they really enjoy doing this because they see that it helps so many people and they wish they could do it more often. Well, I gotta run, but will try to get those pics up tonight.

[ErinC]

o cool, I cant wait.
I missed SUnday!
and well , Ya I had to work Monday!

Laura I love your Mare, did you met her sister on Sunday!
pretty cool huh, I wish I brough Pillo over then all could have been together.
o well, another time.

[Eromango45]

im kinda new to this. laura was talking about this so i decided to give it a whirl. i had so much fun with the clinic it was nice to get mingo out and about i think he enjoyed it as much of me everyone was nice and yes the food was great!!!

Laura mirage this morning was full of herself she was def glad to be back to her friends at the barn. mom and i have been talking about the clinic straight since we got home!!

i worked mingo today and he did so good!!! he is no bending to the right without any attitude or little spells!!
i have some pics i can post too!!!

Thanks again for everything and meeting so many nice people!! :)

-Carley :)

[ErinC]

U own the paint?
Yes post pictures PLEASE!!!!!!

I was the one ( solo , no horse ) that kept telling u how much I loved that horse of yours!

Erin

[Pasogirlz]

http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/16.gif

Glad to have ya here, and glad you got to meet some of our forum folks. Aren't they great? :D

You will have to tell us more about yourself and your horses.

[Eromango45]

I should be able to get the pics on here sometime 2morrow i have a bunch of mingo and I just walking around.. he seemed to be intrested in the whole place so i made sure he was able to get out and see everything! i cant wait to bring him in for show training in the spring!!

[Terri]

O My Gosh, I figured it out. You were the one riding that simply stunning Pinto stallion. O, I dreamed about him Saturday night. Beautiful!!! Welcome.

[ErinC]

ya and look at his lines!
click on his DADDY!
:shock:

http://pasoregistry.com/db/Tree.asp?ID=114641

[Terri]

Nice!!! He REALLY did show up in my dreams. So funny.

[Eromango45]

mingo is def a looker!!
yeah his sire is nice! :) its to bad about him passing away..
so this whole Americanpaso thing has got me hooked thanks guys its good to keep in touch with the few i have met over the weekend :)

[Pasogirlz]

mingo is def a looker!!
yeah his sire is nice! :) its to bad about him passing away..
so this whole Americanpaso thing has got me hooked thanks guys its good to keep in touch with the few i have met over the weekend :)

That seems to happen to everyone. ;-) Welcome to the family. We have been having some problems w/the site this week, but bear w/us.

[Laura S]

Welcome Carley!! I think Mingo was the "hit" of the whole weekend. He was such a good boy for a stallion, and he has come such a long way. You did great with him and he improved alot over the weekend. I had tons of fun with you and your mom. Poor Mirage is going to be depressed when she has to come home. She made lots of friends at your place and I know she liked it. And I had fun coming down to ride with you guys!

Here are a couple pics of Mingo and Carley. I didn't get any good ones of him being ridden. He was an awesome gaiting machine. Hopefully Carley can post some riding pics of him tomorrow.

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h51/LauraS39/Mingohead.jpg
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h51/LauraS39/MingoCarley.jpg

[Laura S]

Erin, I did see Novia's sister on Sunday. She reminded me alot of Mirage, especially the face and eyes. I could also see a little bit of a bratty streak in Novia, like Mirage has. That was cool. They both seem to take after their sire more than their mothers. It was awesome meeting Terri and family. Your daughter and the other little girl do such a good job with Rio and Mico, and you could tell Bobby enjoyed having them in the fun show on Sunday. Ruth It was nice to meet you and your husband and Scooter. It was kinda crazy on Saturday and I wished I had more time to talk with you guys.

Hang on and I'll post some trail pics.

[Laura S]

The ever famous Juan!
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h51/LauraS39/PFDFTrailJuan.jpg

Bobby, the "Trail Boss" on Mistico, Joanne on Romeo, and Todd on "Ozzy" (I have no idea how to spell his real name)
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h51/LauraS39/PFDFTrailBobby.jpg

This is my favorite pic, Michael on Don Marino
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h51/LauraS39/PFDFTrailMichael.jpg

[ErinC]

wow, cool, thanks so much for sharing.

[lisa l aka marci]

How did I miss seeing that Pinto??? BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Hopefly the weather will hold off on Thursday morning to let us ride! Bringing my stuff anyway!!!!!

[ErinC]

looks like it is gonna be a wash out. :cry:

[Terri]

My Daughter and her friend had a blast riding in the fun show and yes, the did a great job on Rio and Mico. They both felt like "real" riders.

forecaste for tomorrow does not look promising:
A steady rain in the morning. Showers continuing in the afternoon. High 66F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

But maybe a miracle will happen and it will all blow out to sea.

I am definitely sorry I missed the trial ride. :(

[Eromango45]

Awesome pics :)

[lisa l aka marci]

looks like it is gonna be a wash out. :cry: :cry :cry :cry :cry

[TrueStepPaso]

Hi Carley! Welcome to the board :D ....



Laura, Erin, & Ruthie, thanks for posting the pics! ;-)

[Eromango45]

so im having trouble with the pics but there comming :(