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Ricky Mendoza's Paso Fino Clinic at Quinta Chiappetta, Shelbyville, Kentucky, May 12 - 15, 2011

For the second year in a row, a small group of members of the Central Canada Paso Fino Horse Association made the trek down to Shelbyville, Kentucky in mid-May. Their destination was a three-day clinic at Quinta Chiappetta, taught by the Chiappetta’s trainer, Ricky Mendoza - 'PFHA 2009 Paso Fino Trainer of the Year'. Four of us trailered our horses down, one member's horse was already in training with Ricky, and the rest of the group observed and rode a variety of Quinta Chiappetta’s excellent Pasos. From the viewing booth in the covered round pen, the group was privileged to watch Ricky’s method of starting and training a young colt and preparing their top Pasos for the upcoming show season. Read More...

R & D Farms 2010 News

  • On February 23 to 24, 2010 we trailered two horses to Quinta Chiappetta for training by Ricky Mendoza. One of them stayed with Ricky - Zarzuela de Fina Vista, owned by Janet Grant and her niece Casey O'Sullivan, and was shown later in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. We also were able to see the colts and fillies we helped Ricky break last fall.
  • May 5 to12, 2010. We enjoyed a trail ride at Gilbertson's Lazy Horse Retreat in the Smoky Mountains, Tennessee. I rode Helen Notzl's filly Muchacha, Helen and Walter Keyser rode their other two mares. We rode over 30 hours on some of the most picturesque and challenging trails in the United States. The six of enjoyed it immensely.
  • From the trail ride we drove with our horses to Quinta Chiappetta, where we were joined by Janet Grant and Diane Vollick for a clinic held by Kay Chiappetta and Ricky Mendoza. We were allowed to ride many of the different horses and also get tips and help with our own horses. The clinic closed with an excellent dinner for all of us at a local restaurant with Kay and Chips Chiappetta.
  • May 29, 2010 was another clinic again in Shelbyville. This one featured Mary Rizo Patron and Ricky Mendoza. There were 40 plus participants, some with their own horses. This was focused on the specific problems that were raised by the participants. It was held at the Shelby County Fairgrounds.
  • July 16 to 17, 2010 was our first show of the year in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Defensor did quite well, coming through with second places in Amateur Owner Pleasure and Amateur Owner Performance. Once again Defensor showed his versatility when Courtney Gingrich, a 17 year old junior rider showed in the Junior Division after only a few minutes of preparation. They received a third place.
  • July 21, 2010 saw Defensor perform at a U.S.E.F. breed demo in Lexington, Kentucky. He was handled by Ricky and Ashlee Armato. He was also ridden by various other riders to demonstrate the Paso Fino gaits.
  • August 20 - 22, 2010 - Defensor was shown and placed first in both Amateur Owner Pleasure and Performance at the Murfreesboro, Tennessee show. We also had the good fortune to show "El General QC", a beautiful black three year old colt and placed first in Amateur Owner Pleasure and in Amateur Owner Performance. This was my first time showing someone else's horse and furthermore I was not the only Canadian there because Ricky showed Janet Grant and Casey O'Sullivan's beautiful filly Zarzuela in Three Year Old Performance Fillies.
  • Our experience at the Nationals this year was unique because we had the opportunity to show both Defensor and El General. Defensor was his usual reliable self by placing fourth in Amateur Owner Performance, fifth in Amateur Owner Pleasure Championship and also took a fifth place in Pleasure with Ricky. El General "AKA Junior", was awarded honourable mention in Amateur Owner Three Years Old Colts Pleasure. He did very well considering the fact that he sustained a trailer injury on the way to the show, he was not completely sound on his right rear leg.
  • Our local Canadian shows this year were also especially rewarding. Saturno placed first in four classes and also took two championships in Sutton, Ontario. At the RCRA show on August 15, 2010 in Newmarket, Saturno placed second and third. He also placed first with my 11 year old grandson Nolan in the lead line class. Nolan is the youngest rider to ever get a ribbon in our family; way to go Nolan! At the Erin Fall Fair Defensor did exceptionally well getting first in all the classes he was shown in - Pleasure, Performance, Country Pleasure, and Challenge of the Breeds. Jennifer Tarrant also showed him up to a first in Novice Pleasure and a second in Equitation.
  • Farahon also had an eventful year. The second foal “Felize” arrived in June and she is doing well. He was also bred to John Hope’s mare Celina and she is due in May of this year. Echo - Farahon’s first foal was broke by Ricky this fall - we were there and he did very well. I saw him again January, 2011. Once again we took Farahon to the Royal Winter Fair and he did his usual good job and made many more new friends.
The Quinta Chiappetta team

Richard Roy on Defensor QC in the 2010 Grand Nationals, trainer Ricky Mendoza standing.

The Quinta Chiappetta team

Richard Roy riding El Capitan in the 2010 Grand Nationals

Richard Roy riding the Paso Fino horse Defensor QC

Ricky Mendoza riding Defensor QC, PFHA 2009 trainer of the year.

The Quinta Chiappetta team

The Quinta Chiappetta team in the 2010 Grand Nationals

The Quinta Chiappetta team

Richard Roy riding Defensor QC in the 2010 Grand Nationals, A/O Performance Class

The Quinta Chiappetta team

Richard Roy riding Defensor QC in the 2010 Grand Nationals, A/O Pleasure Class

The Quinta Chiappetta team

Richard Roy riding Defensor QC in the 2010 Grand Nationals, A/O Performance Class

The Quinta Chiappetta team

Ricky Mendoza riding Defensor QC in the 2010 Grand Nationals, Pleasure Class

The Quinta Chiappetta team

Richard Roy riding Defensor QC in the 2010 Grand Nationals, A/O Performance Class

R & D Farms 2009 Show results for their gelding Defensor QC:

  • Asheville, North Carolina: 5th in A/O* Pleasure, 2nd in Pleasure.
  • Shelbyville, Kentucky: 2nd in A/O Performance, 5th in A/O Pleasure.
  • Murfreesboro, Tennessee: 1st in A/O Performance, 1st in Performance, 1st in A/O Pleasure.
  • Paso Fino Grand Nationals, Perry, Georgia: National Champion A/O Pleasure Gelding, 6th in A/O Performance, 5th in Pleasure Geldings.

Defensor QC started modestly in the 2009 show season, performed superbly in Murfreesboro, TN and then continued his winning ways at the Paso Fino Grand Nationals in Perry, Georgia. Defensor was awarded his Legion of Merit this year.
*Amateur Owner

Richard Roy riding the Paso Fino horse Defensor QC

Richard Roy riding Defensor QC and Ricky Mendoza, PFHA 2009 trainer of the year.



The Quinta Chiappetta team

Richard Roy, Defensor QC and the Quinta Chiappetta team.

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Richard Roy
295 Sawmill Road
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2R 6P7
(905) 688-6833 or

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