Welcome to the Recreational Rider Programs for the Southwestern Paso Fino Horse Association
Southwestern Paso Fino Association is pleased to include the Recreational Rider programs from the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) in our offerings. We also have a variety of events in our region which can be seen on our Events page. We hope you will join these programs. If you have questions, please contact Mary Berg , SWPFHA Recreational Rider Chair Person.
The following is a high level overview ofo the PFHA Recreational Rider Programs. For detailed information, please refer to the Recreation Rider Handbook.
Paso Fino Horse Association Recreational Rider Programs
Below is a brief description of the recreational rider programs offered by PFHA that are the REWARDS of riding the smoothest gaited horse. All participants must be current PFHA members and the horses must be registered PFHA Paso Fino horses.
The complete rules governing the Pasos for Pleasure and Ticket to Ride Programs as well as the AERC and the NATRC Breed Awards are printed on the respective forms for each program. Rules governing the three pointed programs, Competitive Trail, Endurance Trail, and Pleasure Long Distance Trail are found in the PFHA Rule Book. The PFHA Rule Book is on the PFHA website or may be ordered from the PFHA office for a minimal fee.
Pasos for Pleasure Program
Rewards participating PFHA members for time spend riding registered Paso Fino horses.
Earn cumulative hour patches and gift awards.
Non-pointed riding activities such as everyday trail rides, arena work, saddle training, parade and drill team venues, etc. qualify.
One time registration fee to join the program for life.
Participants keep a log of time spent in the saddle then they submit their logs upon reaching specified cumulative hours for respective patches and gift awards.
Ticket to Ride Program
Prizes awarded to yearly drawing of "tickets" submitted by PFHA members participating in the Ticket to Ride program.
Qualifying activities include trail competitions, parades, drill teams, benefit events as well as other non-show events.
Five documented qualifying activities make up one complete Ticket to Ride.
Participants send in completed tickets by September 1st to be entered in a drawing held at the PFHA Grand National show.
Participants do not have to be present to win.
AERC Breed Award Program
Yearly award presented to a participating PFHA member with the highest mileage as verified by the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC).
Qualifying AERC rides include competitions in Limited Distance and/or Distance Divisions.
Any number of registered Paso Fino horses may be used by the rider while competing for this award.
AERC year runs December 1 – November 30.
NATRC Breed Award Program
Yearly award presented to a participating PFHA member with the most competitive trail points in rides sanctioned by the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC).
The rider of the horse must be a PFHA and a NATRC member in good standing and the horse must be registered with PFHA and with NATRC at the time the points for the award are accrued and at the time the names are submitted to PFHA for the award.
NATRC requires either a copy of the horse’s PFHA registration papers or a PFHA registration number.
PFHA members do not need to apply to participate. The top five horses will automatically be submitted by NATRC to PFHA at the end of the NATRC year.
Competitive Trail Program
Yearly presentation of title with award presented to a participant’s horse with the most sanctioned points.
Current PFHA members who participate in competitive trail rides on registered Paso Fino horses are eligible to apply for points for their horses for each successfully completed ride.
Rides must be organized by organizations such as the North American Trail Ride Conference (NATRC) and must be sanctioned by PFHA.
Appropriate completed form, fee and documentation must be mailed or faxed to PFHA within 20 days of the ride.
Title of PFHA Competitive Trail Horse of the Year award is presented at the Grand National show.
Horse’s points accrued in the program are applied toward Society of Merit Awards.
Participants do not have to be present to win.
Endurance Trail Program
Yearly presentation of title with award presented to a participant’s horse with the most sanctioned points.
Current PFHA members who participate in endurance trail rides on registered Paso Fino horses are eligible to apply for points for their horses for each successfully completed ride.
Rides must be organized by organizations such as the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) and must be sanctioned by PFHA.
Appropriate completed form, fee and documentation must be mailed or faxed to PFHA within 20 days of the ride.
Title of PFHA Endurance Trail Horse of the Year award is presented at the Grand National show.
Horse’s points accrued in the program are applied toward Society of Merit Awards.
Participants do not have to be present to win.
Pleasure Long Distance Trail Program
Yearly presentation of title with award presented to a participant’s horse with the most sanctioned points.
Must be an organized ride of 10 or more miles with a trail manager or boss, and either be sanctioned or pre-approved by PFHA no less than 10 business days prior to the date of the ride.
Qualifying rides include benefit rides such as those put on by some hospice organizations, hunter or cavalry paces, or PFHA regional rides.
Appropriate completed form, fee and documentation must be mailed or faxed to PFHA within 20 days of the ride.
Title of PFHA Pleasure Long Distance Trail Horse of the Year award is presented at the Grand National show.
Horse’s points accrued in the program are applied toward Society of Merit Awards.
More Fun Programs to Come! We welcome your input!
