Upcoming Events
Member Open House - August 17th
Rolling Acres Ranch will have an open house on Sunday, August 17 from 1-5pm Located at W6562 870th Ave, River Falls, WI
Rolling Acres Ranch is a private boarding barn and home of Paso Fino Jackpot!
Come visit their beautiful farm and enjoy the horses, goats, chickens, dogs and cats. There will be pony rides, lawn games and even a home pickleball court!
They'll have snacks and soft drinks. BYOB.
Coming Riding at Backus September 10 - 14th
Join Us for Trail Riding!
Whether you prefer to ride solo or with a group, you’re welcome to join us for a laid-back weekend at Foothills Horse Camp. Chuck, our MAPFHA host, plans to arrive on Wednesday.
When: September 10 - 14, 2025
Where: Foothills Horse Camp, 1215 Pine Mountain Lake Road NW, Backus, MN 56435 (Please note: This is a privately owned campground.)
Who’s invited: Everyone! No Reservation Required - but it is nice to know who is coming!
Trail Information:
- No MN Horse Trail Pass required.
- Trails include technical single-track (horse-only) routes and wider, shared state forest roads.
- Some rocky sections—most horses can go barefoot, but use your judgment if your horse has sensitive soles.
- Enjoy scenic wooded paths and several water crossings.
Camp Details:
- Electric hookups available.
- Communal area for group meals.
- Numerous panel pens for horses, plus high ties if you prefer.
- Please clean up your area; manure pits are provided throughout camp.
- Facilities are basic: primitive outhouses (no running water or showers), but there is a well for filling horse water buckets.
- Dogs must be leashed at all times, and strict cleanup is enforced.
Additional Information:
- No reservations needed—sites are first come, first served - but it is always nice to know how many are planning to attend.
- There’s no fixed overnight fee, but most campers donate $30–$40 per night.
- The pavilion is equipped with a gas range, two refrigerators, and cookware—just remember to tidy up after use.
Friday Night Potluck and bonfire, with a Saturday night leftover potluck!
Looking forward to a fun and relaxing weekend on the trails!
September 26 - 28 Ukarydee Ride in Arkdale, WI
We’re excited for a NEW Get Together & Ride event, happening September 26-28 at the Ukarydee Horse Camp at beautiful Castle Rock Trails in Arkdale, WI.
Join us for a weekend filled with riding, relaxing, and reconnecting with friends—both old and new.
Event Details:
- When: September 26-28, 2025 (Friday–Sunday)
- Where: Ukarydee Horse Camp, Arkdale WI
- Who’s invited: Everyone!
Trails: Are flat and sandy...no rocks. They wind through pine plantations, prairies and hardwood forests. There are many spots where the trails border ponds, streams and the river. There are 25-30 miles of trail with well marked interconnected loops. Some trails are wide enough for cart and horse, some are bridle paths. Castle Rock is a County Park no trail pass is required.
Ukarydee has 50 spacious electric campsites. Each campsite provides a place to keep your horses. Forty of the sites have a 24' metal round pen. The other ten campsites have a 24' x 36'-wide tape electric turnout. All campsites have non-potable water near by and are designed to provide drive-through parking and require little or no backing. Ukarydee also provides a large outdoor riding arena and a 60'-round pen that is available for your convenience. Reservations can be made online or by phone.
Whether you plan to ride or just enjoy the campfire, it'll be fun!
Let’s make this another memorable gathering—see you in at Ukarydee!
MAPFHA Fall Ride 2025: A Weekend at Running Deer Ranch
Get ready to saddle up and enjoy the crisp autumn air—our annual MAPFHA Fall Ride is set for October 3–5, 2025, at the stunning Running Deer Ranch in Rochester, MN, generously hosted by Jim and Sue Bartels.
This event promises a weekend of beautiful trails, good company, and the perfect opportunity to reconnect with fellow riders before winter sets in.
Event Highlights:
- Dates: Friday–Sunday, October 3–5, 2025
- Location: Running Deer Ranch, Rochester, MN
- Who’s Invited: All MAPFHA Members
Trail Details:
The ranch boasts miles of private trails winding through old-growth forests, rolling hills, and along bordering crop fields. The well-groomed paths include interconnected loops, water crossings, and varied terrain for a scenic and enjoyable ride.
Amenities:
- Some electric hookups available (limited – contact early)
- Pens and hydrants (non-potable water) on site
- A cozy finished workshop with a refrigerator, kitchenette, and tables—perfect for sharing meals, games, and evening conversations
For reservations or specific arrangements, please contact Sue Bartels
Whether you plan to enjoy the trails or simply relax around the campfire with friends, this weekend is all about connection and community. Let’s make it another memorable gathering!
We can’t wait to see you there!
Information
Paso Fino Pride at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair
See more pictures on the MAPFHA website!
Meet Hazel Kortmansky (12) and her Paso Fino, Fiero de Arco Iris (14), barn name Red. Red was purchased for Hazel when she was just over a year old. He was a fiery little untrained 3-year-old, and they both had so much to learn before they could become a team.
Today, Hazel is the sole rider of Red. She competed with him in the Benton County Fair 4H Horse Project in 2024 and again in 2025. In 2024 they were All-Around Champion in the 3-5 grade group. 2025 was the first year Hazel was eligible to win a 4H State Fair trip. Scoring well in both Pleasure and Games categories, they won a trip and will be showing in Cannon Falls this September. Red spent his spare time at the County Fair stretching his nose out for countless fairgoers to pet.
When not training for competition, Hazel and Red love to trail ride and overnight camp, give lead line pony rides and ride parades.
Hazel’s mom, Sarah believes Pasos are an ideal youth horse. They are versatile, kindhearted, but also sensitive and competitive. Multi-discipline riding a Paso requires exceptional horsemanship, and there is so much opportunity for horse and rider to continue to develop together. The only skill Hazel can’t learn on Red is how to post!
Hazel says, “I love my paso, the way he moves, his spicey little attitude, and how hard he tries to please me (even if I don’t quite know what I am asking for). I want a paso in my pasture for the rest of my life.”
Submitted by Sarah Kortmansky
PFHA is Building a Robust Farm & Trainer Directory!
At the June PFHA Board meeting a special reduced rate for Paso Fino farms and trainers to advertise in the Farm & Trainer Directory on pfha.org was approved.
$50 advertisements are good through the end of 2027.
This is a great opportunity to promote your services while helping us build a robust directory that serves as a go-to resource for current, new, returning, and future Paso Fino enthusiasts.
Each listing includes:
- Your farm or business logo
- Up to 150 words to describe your services, location, and training experience
Whether someone is new to the breed or looking to reconnect, this directory can be an incredibly valuable tool.
Let’s work together to grow visibility and support within our Paso Fino community!