Upcoming Events
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 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!
Looking Ahead to Our Annual Meeting
We’re already gearing up and planning for our Annual Meeting this January!
This year, suggestions have been made to hold the gathering near the Stillwater, MN / Hudson, WI area to better welcome our new Wisconsin members. We’re excited about the possibility and are open to additional location ideas from you.
The January meeting is a wonderful chance to come together outside of riding season—an opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and make new friends. We’d love your input on what type of event you’d enjoy most: a casual get-together, a banquet, or maybe even a barn dance!
Let us know your thoughts. We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Past Events
Backus Foothills Camping Trip Recap
Check out the event photo album!
From September 10–14, members gathered for a wonderful camping trip hosted by Chuck — thank you, Chuck, for making the event such a success! Eight attendees enjoyed a weekend filled with great company, beautiful weather, and plenty of riding.
Daytime highs in the low 80s and cool nights in the 60s made for perfect campfire evenings. This trip also featured our first Friday night potluck, followed by a Saturday potluck of leftovers. The spread was overflowing with delicious food — far more than anyone could eat!
The riding was memorable. The designated horse trails were primarily single-track and technical, with ATV roads open for riding as well. Riders passed by scenic lakes, and spotted swans on the water. By Saturday, the trees began showing hints of fall, with golden and red leaves peeking through the green.
The campground itself was a treat: individual horse pens, conveniently located water and electric hookups, plus a cabin and round pen available.
This trip was such a success that we’re already hoping to return next year. Until then, thank you again to all who joined and made it such a special event!
Browse through our event photo gallery
Breed Ambassadors
First Big Show Adventure
Hazel and Fiero had a fantastic debut at their first large event! Both handled the busy MN State 4-H Horse Show atmosphere with style—Fiero steady and confident, Hazel showing her elegance in every class. The games were exciting and full of fast competition, offering inspiration for future rides.
A highlight came in the Pleasure Type class, where Fiero's smooth gait drew compliments from a fellow Arabian rider who said Hazel looked like she was floating. It was a wonderful first experience in the big-show atmosphere, full of encouragement and promise for what’s ahead.
Thank you Hazel for a great representation at the MN State 4-H Horse Show!
Paso Pride on Parade: Nanci & Homero at Walker’s Ethnic Fest
This past Saturday, Paso Fino enthusiast Nanci Negaard and her 11-year-old gelding, Homero, added a special touch of elegance to Walker, Minnesota’s Ethnic Fest parade.
Living just a mile from Main Street, Nanci made the most of her close proximity to town. Instead of hauling in, she and Homero enjoyed a peaceful ride through the woods and along the trails to reach the parade lineup. Once there, they stood out as the only horse in the entire event—a proud representation of the Paso Fino breed amid a lively cultural celebration.
The day was picture-perfect. Blue skies, cheerful crowds, and the festive spirit of Ethnic Fest framed the ride. Homero, true to the breed’s reputation for smoothness, carried Nanci gracefully down the parade route. Afterward, the pair meandered home, retracing their woodland path.
Check out the parade videos posted in the Paso Recreation Facebook group!
Information
Chaco Memorial
The clouds poured out their tears today as we laid Chaco to rest. He was 18.5 years old and was with me for 9.5 years, never long enough for a loyal, willing companion. Although lowest in the herd order, he was my Prince Valiant: brave, confident, would go anywhere I asked with enthusiasm and courage, my hero horse. He greeted me eagerly at the gate, always ready for the next trail ride!
We completed 500 endurance/LD miles in 2017-2019, and he earned the national High Point Endurance Award for the Paso Fino breed association in 2018. In addition to competition in 2019, he completed 300+ recreational miles; and, after we stopped competing in 2020 due to COVID, he logged 1665+ miles with the Warhorse Endurance distance mileage program for a lifetime total of 2480 miles, not counting 2017-2018 conditioning miles for competition. Every mile was a Smile with Chaco’s smooth gait, sure footedness and go-get-‘em attitude! We competed all over the upper Midwest (MN, WI, IL, IA, SD, ND), and recreationally rode the Goat Trail at Hell Canyon in the Black Hills, the Maah Daah Hey Trail and Little Missouri State Park in ND, and Bryce Canyon in Utah. We even rode the trail to “Heaven” at Broken Arrow in SD, and he took me to Mount Rushmore on my 70 th birthday. Chaco rode all without question, comfortable with new and familiar equine friends or solo.
MN parks offered his favorite trails: Crow Hassan Regional Park, Wild River State Park, Forestville, Maplewood and Ft. Ridgely State Parks, as well as Sand Dunes and Pillsbury State Forests. He had his own "Chaco Trail" at Crow Hassan and the Deer Creek trail at Wild River, which he galloped with great gusto and speed!
Chaco also represented the Paso Fino breed with dignity and honor at the MN Horse Expo several times, performing a choreographed routine to music. We attended an obstacle clinic in WI where he earned third place on his first attempt and at the Expo, demonstrating the versatility of the breed in all events.
But our life together did not start easily. Chaco’s first year with me presented a mysterious and debilitating back pain issue that was finally identified and treated almost a year to the date that I’d bought him, after multiple vet exams. I’d almost given up hope of finding a solution. The Gelding Scar Release procedure literally saved his life then, and after months of rehab, stretching exercises and follow-up body work, he learned that the pain was gone, and off we went. He needed that procedure three more times over the years, along with body work and massage. Treating and overcoming this major issue only drew us closer together, deepening the bond and trust between us.
Then the stifle pain surfaced, requiring multiple xrays and injections of various drugs over the past 4 years, until they were no longer effective. The vet said last year that he likely suffered an unknown injury as a youngster and needed a knee replacement, which wasn’t possible. The arthritic stifle pain finally caught up to him, and nothing more could be done to ensure ease of movement. He moved very slowly and carefully, stayed back from the others and wouldn’t always follow the others down over the hill. His condition was declining and only going to worsen, so it was time. I still wasn’t ready to let him go, but I didn’t want him to suffer more.
Yesterday in the hot sun, he played in the sprinkler set up in the pasture, ate extra carrots and hand-grazed in the backyard, simple pleasures, favorite activities. Today’s steady rain covered the tears as we laid him in his favorite pasture. Farewell, Sweet Prince, may flying horses escort you across the Great Divide. I’ll look for you among the stars in the heavens and hold you dearly in my heart forever.
Submitted by Lynda Zimmerman
Help Preserve the History of the Paso Fino Horse Association
The PFHA Historical Committee is embarking on an exciting project: creating a book that documents and preserves the history of the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA). This effort will celebrate the legacy of the Paso Fino breed and the people who have shaped its journey in the United States.
The committee is seeking historical information, stories, photographs, and records from members and friends of the association. Whether you have personal experiences, archival documents, or knowledge of key events, your contribution can play a vital role in capturing the rich history of the PFHA for future generations.
📩 If you have materials to share, please send them to:
Historical Committee Chair: Dr. Margaret Fahringer
Email: margaret52@aol.com
Together, we can ensure that the history of the PFHA and the incredible Paso Fino horse is preserved and celebrated.