EASTERN CANADA PASO FINO HORSE ASSOCIATION
GAITED HORSE FUN SHOW

JULY 23rd, 2006 ~ TEEN RANCH, ORANGEVILLE, ONTARIO

Photos by Leslie Town. Email me for any errors or changes - Janet

2006 FUN SHOW REPORT: The ECPFHA Fun Show was held July 23rd at Teen Ranch in Orangeville, Ontario. This was an open Gaited Horse show with some Paso Fino Classes and many open gaited classes. It was the first time we have used this location, and it appears the more central location was a big draw for people as this year’s show saw a great increase in numbers of exhibitors (28) and spectators! The show grounds are just beautiful and the atmosphere was fun and relaxed. We are grateful to Teen Ranch for allowing us to use their lovely facility and hope they will have us back next year. Even the weather helped to make the day a success.

The day was a fun (if extra long) combination of traditional classes and fun games. Exhibitors included many Paso Finos, as well as Mountain horses, Icelandics and a very entertaining Gaited Mule. Our biggest class had a whopping 22 entries! Many thanks to our awesome, hard-working and fun-loving judge from Ohio… Antoine Purifie.

Lots of terrific volunteers made the day run smoothly. Special thanks to our stewards, Janet Grant and Donna MacRae, our announcer/manager, Jan Kay, our registrar, Janet Cleave, and our photographer, Leslie Town (see photos for purchase). Lots of other folks (like Richard Roy, Lucy Goodenday, Mary Jane McElvey, Jim Christie, Emily Downey, The Harrisons, Peter and Denise Chandler, etc) pitched in moving obstacles, manning gates, doing clean-up and more. There are more of you than I can recall and list here, and thanks to you all!

A very special thank you goes to my number one assistant: Jennifer Tarrant. Jennifer not only donated prizes, engraving, and made the beautiful glass bowl that was presented as a thank you to Tony, she accompanied me on showground visits, worked the show set-up and take-down, and she also worked with me to create the special new feature of our show ring – a Sounding Board! When I failed to find any burly men to create a board for the show, she reminded me of our “Girl Power” and we set out for the lumber store, drawing in hands and power drills charged and ready. We think it was a fun addition, even if we were cursing ourselves for counter-sinking the screws, as the sun was setting on Sunday!

Everyone looked great and took home ribbons, and there were lots of great prizes for first in each class. The High Point Junior Rider trophy was won by Samantha Dickson (on her Icelandic, Blitha). The High Point Paso Fino and the High Point Horse of Show trophies were both awarded to Jan Belanger and her Paso Fino, FS Classique. Way to go Samantha and Jan! See results of show.

Next year we will have our own sound system, food and drinks on site, an earlier start time and we will rearrange the class schedule to intermingle games classes with traditional classes.

Thanks again to everyone who attended, exhibited, spectated, judged, photographed, volunteered, or just sent their positive vibes from afar! A special thanks goes to our Show Prize donators. We had a truly fun and memorable day and hope to see you all (and even some new faces) next year!
Camilla Willings, ECPFHA Show Committee
See the article by Chris Soeffner submitted to Icelandic's Newsletter

3Samantha Dickson, high point junior,  on her Icelandic horse Blitha fra Lettfeti.

Jan Belanger, high point winner on her Paso Fino gelding FS Classique. Jan came second in the ride-a-buck class after Pam Dawson.4

3Pam Dawson on Ambleside's Paso Fino Stallion Altonel de United.

Camilla Willings on her Paso Fino stallion Mercenario de la Libertad. See Video 4

3Victoria Poe barrel racing her Paso Fino mare Querica.

Melada de Lambpaso - an entrant in the costume class!4

3Several breeds participated in this gaited horse fun show, including 3 the Icelandic horses. Chris Soffner riding Kinna fra Fjalla Vegur and Judy Petursson riding Menja. They are planning to bring a whole herd to next years show!

Leslie Howarth riding the Paso Fino mare Tormenta de La Exquisita4

3Pam Dawson with Ambleside's Paso Fino Stallion Altonel de United in the Bellas Forma class.