Paso Fino Sport Horse

[CarolU]

Some of you have heard this mentioned from time to time, many of you have suggested something similar, some of you have helped me with different aspects of it before, and I'm sure the rest have no idea what I'm talking about. ;-)

Paso Fino Sport Horse was the brain child of several of us in 2003. The idea is to have a seperate Paso Fino show organization for families and backyard enthusiasts, a competition avenue for the average owner to enjoy their horses, show the versatility of the breed, and earn a little money in the process. It's not meant to be a big fancy show...really just a way to organize fun shows and provide more incentive to participate.

All shows will use one rule book (currently being written) and will be conducted the same way, so horses can compete locally to win national titles and recognition. Points are awarded for placement AND the number of horses in the competition. All classes are purse classes, with all money over/above the cost pf putting on the show, going to the entrants. Soooo, the more competition you get in your class, the higher the purse will be AND the more points awarded for each placement.

These shows are not part of PFHA, nor or they meant to compete with PFHA regional shows. They do not offer PFHA classes and you won't see the regular divisions. Horses have to gait, but they are not judged on the fastest or most animated gait. All that is left to the PFHA show ring.

I am spending this winter working on the rule book. I am about half-way done now. I want to include classes that people would be interested in competing in. So, if you think you'd like to participate in a PFSH show in your area, or help to put on one, or help PFSH get going for the next few years, please PM me your interst and e-mail address and I'll get all organized again.

Right now the classes I am planning are:

Pleasure Division
Show Pleasure
Trail Pleasure
Family Pleasure
Western Pleasure
English Pleasure
Hunt Seat Pleasure

Performance Division
Gaited Dressage
Parade Group
Parade Individual
Precision Drill Team
Hunter over Jumps
Show Jumping
In-Hand Trail
Trail
Reining
Freestyle Reining

Timed Event Division
Largo Racing - Track
Largo Racing - Arena
Barrel Racing
Largo Barrels
Pole Bending
Largo Pole Bending
Keyhole Race
Largo Keyhole
Largo Versatility (this is class they used to offer years ago in PFHA)

Fun Classes
Ride-a-Buck
Wine Glass Class
Egg and Spoon

Other classes, such as youth and senior pleasure, and other performance classes can/will be added anytime enough interest is generated to organize and add them.

The Paso Fino Sport Horse Association will also recognize Paso Finos that compete in organized All-Breed competitions, similarly to how PFHA does CTR and Endurance now.

Those I am looking at are:

Cow Sorting
Team Penning
Endurance
CTR
Reining
Driving

Again, any can be added as interest is generated.

All points will be tracked and monitored on a website for the oranization, so everyone knows the point standing in their events. Only members are counted for the year-end awards, but anyone can enter shows and compete for the purse.

At any rate, if there is something you see missing off the list, or if you would like to help in some way, I'm looking for volunteers to help with the rules and help put on shows next year. Right now I am planning one here, and I believe Stella is going to try to do one in So. Carolina. Darby Wulf had talked of doing one in Florida, but I haven't talked to her about it in years.

Your feed back will be appreciated.

[Pasogirlz]

Can you explain to me the differences in these classes. Thanks. :D
Trail Pleasure
Family Pleasure
Western Pleasure
English Pleasure
Hunt Seat Pleasure

[motorgypsy]

Texas barrels is one that paso finos are really great at and I'd like to see this one as a regular class. Three barrels perhaps six feet apart in a straight line and you weave in and out of the barrels, around the end barrel, weave back through and finish - all at a gallop but it would be fun at a largo also.

Grab and Go was another fun event. Two PVC pipes are run horizontally with a 90 degree bend and more PVC. It is slipped down over a vertical pole anchored in the ground but left free to rotate. A tennis ball with a string attached to it is hung from the horizontal piece of pipe and you ride full speed around the arena and grab the tennis balls (two, one on each side of the arena).

Apple bobbing - you have to ride to the opposite end of the arena, get off your horse (a person is down there to hold the horse) dive into the trough to get the apple, then remount and ride to the finish and yes you get water in your helmet but it's really funny.

Carrot race - a buck of carrots is on a barrel at the opposite end of the arena. You ride your horse down there, grab a carrot out of the bucket as you go around the barrel and ride to the other end. It's harder than it sounds and fun!

[CarolU]

Can you explain to me the differences in these classes. Thanks. :D
Trail Pleasure
Family Pleasure
Western Pleasure
English Pleasure
Hunt Seat Pleasure

Probably a better idea would be to explain all the Pleasure classes.

Show Pleasure would be for our showy Pleasure horses, the horses that really shine. We won't have any rules about ribbons, sequins or bling bling, so people can wear real show clothes and thier silver breast colors, ribbons if they want, and really show off their horse.

Trail Pleasure is more/less the same as in TWH and FOSH shows. It is judged on the smoothest horse, most consistency, best transitions between gait. A calm trail horse.

Family Pleasure is for those dead-broke backyard horses that are great for beginners, kids, and older people. Not much brio, but very safe and trustworthy, impecable manners.

Western Pleasure is just as it sounds.

English Pleasure is with English tack and attire, as in normal open shows.

Hunt Seat Pleasure is with a Hunt Seat saddle and hunter clothing. These will also be the appointments for the Jumping classes, which will probably be conducted immediately after this pleasure class.

[CarolU]

Oh Nancy....those sound like fun EXCEPT the Texas barrels. That is the same pattern as pole bending...right? What would be the difference (other then the pain to your knees...I know, I used to train with six barrels..ouch).

Could you write up the rules for the other classes? Distances, etc.? They need to be done the same, or the times aren't comparable between shows.

[JennLM]

Have you seen Flag Racing at Lil Britches rodeos? It looks like a lot of fun. We watched it on RFD-tv the other night.


I know it can be done 2 different ways.

One is dropping one flag off in a bucket atop a barel then grabbing another as you go by the second bucket on a barrel though it makes more sense to grab the flag from the first and deposit to the second as some do it.


Like this:
http://www.canuck.com/~argra/arena/flagrace.html

[Lois York]

Carol, it all sounds wonderful...I can't wait to see how it all comes.
I would love to see one up in the north east area...hint hint hint!

[CarolU]

Carol, it all sounds wonderful...I can't wait to see how it all comes.
I would love to see one up in the north east area...hint hint hint!

No need to drop hints Lois...we can put one on anywhere there is enough interest to host one, and volunteers to do the leg work. These are low key, so I don't see any reason people can't both show and work on the show (other then the judge...LOL)

[Mellifluous]

I wonder if something like this would work better in my area if it started as an event for gaited horses in general? PFSH could award points to paso winners. This could help get enough entries and participation to cover the costs of putting on the show and get more people out and having fun.

I am sure that people who own other gaited breeds get tired of endless gaiting in circles too.

[TrueStepPaso]

Carol....I'm 110% interested in this...its right up my alley!!!

[pnalley]

Texas Barrels is run with the barrels 21 feet apart I believe. 3 in a row, you weave in, around the end barrel and weave out. So the pattern is not the same as poles. Poles you run up one side, weave down, weave back and run for home.

I do not like texas barrels. I much prefer poles and cloverleaf.

[SharonP]

Carol, what about mounted shooting?

[CarolU]

Mounted Shooting can be included in the same catagory as Team Penning and Cattle Sorting. You'd compete at your local competitions and SportHorse will collect and track points and award a National Champion every year.

There might one day be enough interest to include it at a show...not sure how the non-competing horses will like the guns though.

[Fuego]

Having the shows open to all gaited breeds may help get this started in certain areas of the country where gaited horses are quite common, but not neccessarily Paso Finos ( Gaited horses are very common in Ky and Mo. ) Just a suggestion.....

other class ideas....

Arena race ( down and back) ....... either one spin around the arena or a single barrel at the far end of the arena. No manuevers, no obstacles, just the fastest time around the arena.

Ribbon race ...... 2 riders/2 horses. The riders receive 1 short piece of crepe paper streamer and the team must maintain hold of the paper w/out dropping or tearing the ribbon.
This class could be done with all teams in the arena simultaneously with commands of increasing difficulty and elimination when the ribbon is dropped or broken ( like egg & spoon).
-or -
ran like the arena race. 2 riders at full speed around the arena Placed according to time. Breaking or dropping the ribbon is DQ'd. One team at a time , of course.

4 in a row...... Three barrels in a line 21' feet apart down the center of the arena and then a barrel near the far left, far right and far end of the arena ( imagine an 'arrow').
There are FOUR riders/horses per team and they weave through the first 3 barrels and then around the outide barrels and weave back through 3 in a line on the way home. The entire team runs at the same time single file, following each other( one team member passing another is DQ). The first rider across the time line starts the time and the last rider coming back stops the time.
( this may sound crazy or 'too much', but I saw this class ran every weekend for an entire show season without mishap). It's fun to watch or enter.

Relay race...... 2 rider/horse team. Enter the arena together, the first rider runs once around the arena, passes the baton to the second rider and they run once around the arena. An old towel rolled up and duct taped is recommended to avoid someone ( or the horse) getting whacked in the head with a metal or wood baton during a bad handoff to their team mate. <grin> Placed according to fastest times.

Of course the above classes could also be done for largo only, also.

If a sounding board is available ..... Blind Justice. The judge faces away from the board ( possibly blindfolded) and the steward sends the horses across the board one at a time. Only the sound of the horse on the board is being judged. Eliminations are made after each horse has passed over the board and those remaining are sent again followed by more eliminations until a winner is declared. No other placings.

I also saw what they called "Ranch classes" at a Morgan show. Horses enter individually and BRIEFLY demonstrate specified requirements. Flat walk, gait, small jump, backing, canter, mailbox, log drag, slicker....(tasks that demonstrate practical usable neccessary qualites of a good trail, family, or 'working' horse). But fewer tasks then a typical western trail class.
After comlpeting the riding requirments, the rider stays in the arena, ( off to the side) dismount, ground tie their horse and then unsaddle the horse. After all riders have completed the riding part and have unsaddled, the horses are judged on confirmation.
This would be an excellent class for some of the breeders that are breeding specifically for the recreational market to highlight and promote their stock.

Just sharing ideas, not suggestions.

[Laura S]

I would be interested in participating in an event like this! I think if it were possible to invite other gaited breeds it may help promote the Paso Fino. Who would be judging? Would you have PF judges or more general judges?

[CarolU]

Cool! Thanks all. Some great ideas here!

I love the idea of the Ranch class. I think that would be excellent.

I'm steering clear of relay events, although people putting on shows can add any fun classes they want. The problem with relays is awarding individual points.

[pnalley]

I like the idea of the pleasure classes. In the beginning you may need to simplify things until entries are up. Have an "english pleasure" and a "western pleasure" then when entries warrent break them down to age, type etc.

I didn't see anything about classes that require mounting in the arena. I would keep those to a minumum. The majority of new horse owners are 40 +, as are the majority of current horse owners. As you know many of us have weight and joint issues. Many of us don't mount "pretty" but once we are on the horse we are capable riders. Please keep this in mind as you plan your classes. Don't make the classes were the "average"owner can't participate.

Question: When is the first show in Georgia? This sounds like something I could enjoy!

[CarolU]

Paula,

I was also thinking of Senior Pleasure (eventually, as entries are up) for older riders. I do want EVERYONE to have something to compete in. What fun classes, that don't involve speed or mounting/dismounting, do you think older riders would like? Think about it. It doesn't have to be something that already exists. I would like to see those Family Pleasure horses compete in something like Trail that really shows off how calm some of these horses are.

[Fuego]

The WSCA in Minnesota hosts Pleasure , Speed, and combined shows. Some of the bigger all speed shows would start at 9 am and finish at 2 am

So they passed a rule in the speed events that losing your hat during your run was a 5 or 10 ( can't remember) second penalty to your run.

Constantly delaying the next run in order to clear hats out of the arena actually can become problematic, especially at an event with many competitors. No one likes a long show being drug out by constant needless delays. The rule did seem to solve the problem. You didn't often see a hat falling off.

Also, for safety, horses in the speed events were not allowed to 'run through' the gate on the way in or out of the arena. They have to be slowed ( preferably to a walk) and completely in control before exiting the gate. This rule wasn't strictly enforced. Who hasn't seen some of the 'nutty' game horses. As long as the rider was doing their best to keep the horse slow and controlled..... some of those horses are a bit too hot to flat walk after a run ...

[CarolU]

Thanks Mitch...those are good ideas.

[sporthorse]

I think this sounds cool but mostly paso fino people will come. You should start by having sporthorse association sponser regionally gymkana challenges open to all breeds you just award each breeds best and all around best.that invites the real competitors and then the showing our best can come from our showring, trail and sporthorses.The show divisions could come on the day one or some such and day two speed and rodeo events.best all around horse etc.
Just some ideas for the diversity and versitilty spotlights all the suggested events are cool but we need to bring outsiders to see our horses. Like FOSH does.

[britzlove]

I wish I had the little clapping smilies.... I kind of agree with some others about including other breeds in early shows to get it started. I'm sure in FL, GA, other areas where pasos are more common it would be fine. But I'm with Fuego...there's not enough here right now.

The pasos will hold their own and then some. This could be awesome for promotion.

I'll PM ya.

Britz

[Mellifluous]

I would not mind seeing about putting one on in my area. I still feel that other gaited breeds would need to be included to cover to costs. Would this be possible?

[CarolU]

I have not considered including other breeds and honestly don't like the idea. I certainly couldn't track points for national championships in Paso Fino Sport Horse Association and include other breeds, and that really, is the whole point in having an Association. Otherwise the shows are just local open fun shows and there is nothing to be gained by having an association, since you can have all the open fun shows you want in your area now.

I wasn't planning on requiring papers, in order to include the Paso Finos in other registries, and unregistered horses, but the horses DO have to demonstrate the Paso gait in order to participate in any class at the show, otherwise you'd have QH's come into the running timed events. And then what is the point in having a Paso Fino show?

A local show could probably include other breeds if they want, but it is too problematic to write a rule book about all the different gaits to cover all the breeds. As an example, how could you fault a Paso Fino in trocha but allow a Fox Trot by another breed?

What you are talking about is really a FOSH show, and they already have shows and have a rule book.

The idea really is to allow the pleasure horse enthusiasts to organize the fun shows in their area so they ARE organized, the horses can be recognized nationally (without a "Nationals" that is a long distance away), and the people can make money with their horses.

It's way too much work to try to be something for everyone. I'd rather have smaller PF shows at first and build momentum from there.

[britzlove]

OK...I see what you're saying.

But I think what others meant and me too is that at the local level to get started you could allow other horses to compete in some classes. Points would only accrue for member's horses.

For example, AQHA shows have NRHA classes and NCHA classes. QH's can get points in both AQHA and NRHA/NCHA for one win...but a paint or unregistered horse can only get NRHA/NCHA points, and monies.

You could have the local starter shows have paso only classes for awhile. The exposure to the breed is immeasurable. If the paso's are always winning the mixed classes...people will want the pasos. Even if not....it may be that you have several people show up who have only seen an RFDTV video of a fino National class that doesn't know anything about thier other abilities.

Hopefully this isn't out of bounds...but like in my area...there's not too many people that would show up...not much of a show and certainly not big enough to have any pay back. But a PFSH sponsored show...another story. If you had several Paso only classes and several mixed to start with that would be the way to go. Once it caught on...many converts would occur.

I'm sorry if I missed the point.

Britz

[Mellifluous]

I was not asking for rules to include the other breeds or anything like that. The shows could be sanctioned by the association for pasos to earn points in the classes - if they placed in a class, they get points. The other horses are included just from a monetary point of view. One of these shows would never be able to pay for itself in my area if other breeds could not participate. There is not enough interest and/or people willing to get out and try it.

If it is a problem to have pasos competing against other breeds, would it be OK to have some classes paso only and others open?

Our local saddle club shows are sanctioned by the APHA so people can earn points there.

[CarolU]

I would say then that local people, who do the work on the show, could offer any classes they want to during the show. The only classes that would be Sport Horse classes would be those put on by Sport Horse. Not all classes have to be offered at every show - for instance if no one in the area does dressage, there is no point offering the class. But other things, like Trail or the timed events, if it's set up for Paso Finos, it's easy to include an open class too.

I still see a problem with Pleasure classes. Very few PF judges are trained to recognize and judge other breed's gaits and their breed standards.

It's been my experience that more people show up at Fun Shows then at pointed shows. I believe Colorado had over 40 horses at their fun show last year. We've had up to 20 here (lucky to have 5 Utah horses at a point show). I'm sure each area will be different.

One of the reasons to have purse classes is that it really encourages people to bring competition with them to get the purse up.

[pnalley]

Carol,
I think that idea might work. For instance if us Georgia folks out on a open/fun show, but include some Paso Pleasure Horse Assn classes (only for Paso's).

The point system needs to be simple, something like you get one point for every horse you beat.

It might be possible to get other "saddle clubs" to include a few classes. Thats how NBHA started and look how big it is today.

[motorgypsy]

In the Texas barrels our horse association ran the barrels are quite close together which makes it a fabulous event for a smaller and more agile horse who can run it at full gallop where the larger horses can't. Very different from poles because in poles you have the long distance straight run at the beginning and the end which the QH's are better at than the pasos. In Texas barrels you can do it in something like 8 seconds for the whole run. Chinook had best time in show for all events in Texas barrels and won a halter that she could have worn like a dog halter it was so big!!!

I'll look for the specs on all those races.

[Lois York]

Carol I'd have to have it open to all gaited breeds even if I'm close to the boarder. But I think I could get the use of a fair grounds to do it...hmm. Boy...it is who you know RIGHT...lol. A lot of work...I'd need help big time to pull something like that off. PM me when you get the rules all figured out. And wow shooting from horseback...John would be in heaven!!! But we'd have to get permits to do it up here...outlawed to shoot from horseback up here now. :(

[CarolU]

That's Cowboy Mounted Shooting. You shoot blanks. The air coming out the end is what pops the balloon. I'm not having that in Sport Horse. There are already competitions of it all over. It's big and already organized. It will fall into the same catagory as Cow Sorting and Team Penning for Sport Horse points.

http://www.cowboymountedshooting.com/

Sport Horse is still DISorganized :lol: But, I'm getting there.

[cristy]

Carol, I think this is a REALLY great idea. I would really like to try and put one on in my area. I think we would have enough PAso people to make it successful! I am the outgoing President of the Appalachian Paso Fino Horse Club and this sounds like it is right up our alley. I will talk to my members and see if I can get enough help to do it. :D :D :D

[Rose Mary Axell]

I would love to get involved with this but I am not sure that there are enough Paso's in my area. Unfortunately we are few and far between up here. Maybe in a few more years this would work for us. Right now it is a lot of work just getting people together once a year for a trail ride. LOL

Best of luck. Versatility is certainly something our breed needs to showcase.

Also, You might want to consider a trail class if you haven't already.

[Carol Nelson]

Carol...I'd be willing to jump head first into this one...what an avenue to show off my babies that I'm breeding for this very thing! I might even be able to pull off a show here...I've got some real Paso enthusiasts now locally. I may even be able to draw some of the Houston/Conroe/Marshall crowd too.
I like the sound of the relaxed atmosphere...I think a lot of my people out here are intimidated by the PFHA sanctioned type show. I think they'd get a kick out of competing in your Pleasure classes.
Right now, I'm stressed to the max...but maybe after the first of the year, I'll put my head together with yours and compare notes.
And no, I'm not in favor of an All Gaited Breed show...at least not in my area. We're here to support and promote the Paso Fino, and not the other gaited breeds. We need to make people turn around and take notice of US!!!
Great idea...I'm with ya!