Welcome to the California Paso Fino Horse Association

Welcome to the California Paso Fino Horse Association

 
 
 

 

Paso Fino News

Big Splash In Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara National horse show started out suffering like all other shows this year from lower attendance and fewer sponsors. But as we trailered toward the breathtaking seaside resort and hazy skies and ocean breezes cooled the air around the elegant oval arena framed by the green mountains the show started looking up. Last minute entries and added sponsors relieved the worst for the struggling show but the best part was good competition. Several classes were cancelled in all the breeds but the remaining classes were hard fought and to add to the fun there were several new people showing Paso Fino’s. There were also many new good quality young horses. The ribbons were hard fought. Most notably difficult were the Classic Fino Stallions Class and Championship featuring multiple work-offs between El Marcador de Cache (who won the class) ridden by Raul Matos and Portal de la Luisa (who won the Championship) ridden by Gerardo Matos. Both stallions have not shown a lot yet are National Champions and the level of their competition as they duked it out proved the high quality of Fino Stallions in California. El Marcador also won the AO Blue Ribbon and Championship with owner Martha Coolidge. La Luna Llena de La Rosa maintained her perfect record taking Fino Mares and the Championship, while relative newcomer Luis Belmonte took AO Fino Mares and the AO Championship on La Odicea de La Gota.

There were strong Pleasure classes with Imponencia de La Libertad owned by Michelle McAlister taking the Blue Ribbons in both Mares Classes and the Open Championship and Dona Cecilia de Milagro with Jennifer Fisher taking the AO Championship. Performance was very competitive with two four-year old fillies coming out on top, Gabriela de Milagro with the Mares Championship and Bohemia de Luna Llena with Michelle McAlister taking the AO Championship.

Perhaps because of the lower attendance this show was very friendly. Horse people mixed more than in the past and many of us answered questions from other people about Paso FInos during the classes and we learned more about Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponys and Friesians from them making the show more interesting for all. Everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, excellent dining and comfortable hotels in the Santa Barbara area. It is certainly our most beautiful showground and pleasant for the officials as well. Sharon Londono, judged an excellent show and gave useful explanations and tips to the competitors. Fred Moretti was also helpful as the Steward. Phyllis Beutyn gave great announcing and “thank you” to Bea Fedor and Joan Porkola our ringmaster pros.

When it was all done it wasn’t over. A group of us got together to realize a dream – riding in the ocean. The beach was so near – but locals told us to go to Ventura as the parking in SB is difficult. It was a perfect cool overcast day as we pulled in behind the Ventura Showgrounds right on the beachfront drive. The biggest trailer managed to squeeze around the kiosk helped by the attendant. With salsa blasting and Puerto Rican flags flying our three horse trailers and six cars were ushered to an open area to park by the police and we unloaded the horses.

Gliding across the hard wet sand, splashing through the waves with that unique four beat gait – the wind blowing in our hair - how close to heaven can you get? After years of promising ourselves, here we were finally on the beach. None of our show horses from Fino stallion to Pleasure fillies had ever seen the ocean before - and at first all nine of them were scared of the waves. Like little kids they ran away as they broke and the foam rolled in. But soon we were chasing each other into the deeper water. This was why we came, galloping, gaiting, horses and riders totally in the moment, playing with total abandon.

We would be remiss if we did not share that when we returned Park Rangers were waiting with the Police. It turns out there is no riding on the beach allowed in Ventura County and we promised to spread the word. We got a warning, but future riders might have their horses impounded so don’t do as we did. But we will never forget the feeling…. It was a most memorable day!

Martha Coolidge

Click here to download the show results in .pdf format

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top of Page
 

 

Rancho de Milagro Sends 3 Horses To The Nationals

Rancho De Milagro clients Jennifer Fisher and Jesus Cruz will be sending two star Paso Fino’s with Rancho De Milagro Trainer, Gerardo Matos to Perry, Georgia.

Jennifer Fisher will be sending her 4 Year Old Pleasure Fillie “Dona Cecilia de Milagro”, and Jesus Cruz is sending “Gabriella de Milagro” his Performance Schooling Fillie.  Bob & Patti Osborne will be sending National Champion “Luna Llena de La Rosa” to compete in the Fino Mare Division. Rancho De Milagro will have their Stallion “Portal De La Luisa” well represented at this year’s show as 3 of his daughters will be competing: “Dona Cecilia” (4 Year Old Pleasure Schooling) “Gabriella” (4 Year Old Performance Schooling) and “Portalinda” (3 Year Old Fino Schooling). We will keep you posted as the show progresses!
 

Paso Finos in Old Spanish Days Parade

HOLLYWOOD PASO FINOS made a dramatic appearance in the Old Spanish Days parade in Santa Barbara on Friday. In keeping with their goal of celebrating the Spanish heritage of the Paso Fino horse they wore beautiful costumes from the mid 1600s.

The sound of their hoof beats, “tacatacataca,” got the crowds cheering as they cortoed by. The group lead by film director Martha Coolidge (known for VALLEY GIRL, REAL GENIUS, THE PRINCE & ME and CSI) is sponsored by CPFHA, El Rancho de Cache, Rancho de Milagro and Rancho Fino and has performed in many parades before including three times in Santa Barbara and the Tournament of Roses Parade. They have given exhibitions at the Fiesta of the Spanish Horse, The Night of the Horse and the Gold Cup.

The group highlights the smooth riding Paso Fino horse and its history, descending from the first horses to arrive in the New World over 500 years ago with Columbus and the Conquistadors. This breed has been treasured and bred in the Americas for their beauty, temperament and smooth riding gaits. They became a foundation for many other American breeds including the Quarter horse, the Rocky Mountain horse and the Spanish Mustang.

The other women riders in the parade were Michelle McAlister, Madison and Melissa Bray and youth rider Maggie Kosich. The men were two veterans of the group Raul Matos and Gerardo Matos who are also the trainers of the beautiful National and Regional Champion horses featured in the parade. The exquisite costumes for the women were designed and built by Costume Designer Christina Wright. Global Effects, a movie prop rental house specializing in the middle ages, provided the men’s costumes. Besides parades the members of “Hollywood Paso Finos” perform musical acts with dance and stunts at horse shows, compete with their horses and enjoy trail riding. More about the group plus videos can be found at elranchodecache.com.

 

Paso Fino's Were A Favorite At The Equine Affair

Photo of the CPFHA 20 foot booth at the Equine AffairThis year the CPFHA had a 20 foot booth and a stall in the Breed Pavilion at the 2010 Equine Affair. The booth was essentially manned by Gus Gonzales, Bob Rains and Belinda Hines.

The Paso Fino’s got a tremendous reception at the two demonstrations that they presented. The first was on Friday at 11:15am in the main covered arena. This was a presentation of 11 riders beginning with Western Pleasure, then Trail, Pleasure, Performance and Fino.

Gavin Silver opened the presentation on Baronessa in full Western dress; showing that a Paso Fino can lope. Juniell Rivera on Trofeo demonstrated the Paso Fino in Trail. Dawn Silver on Coronell, Luis Perez on Maravilla, David Kramer riding Dechoso, Gunner White on Toscana, Marcos Devarea riding Mascarita, Michelle McAlister on Imponencia and Belinda Hines on La Promesa displayed Pleasure and Performance. Afterward Raul Matos riding El Marcador and Jochi Rodriguez with Centauro exhibited Fino. In addition to the Fino trainers showing Fino, Raul and Jochi did a wonderful job of presenting Fino horses flexing, turning, spinning and side-passing. Jochi and Centauro side-passed the entire length of the sounding board bringing a huge applause from the bleacher filled audience. Martha Coolidge did an excellent job coordinating and announcing this presentation.

Photo of the CPFHA 20 foot booth at the Equine AffairOn Saturday at 2:30pm the Paso’s were up again. Due to the intense rain our exhibition was moved to a smaller arena over by the barns. In spite of the weather we had a large crowd and Gus Gonzales not only announced this event, but coordinated three horses Dechoso ridden by David Kramer, Maravilla ridden by Luis Perez and Trofeo ridden by Juniell Rivera. These riders were able to demonstrate to the crowd the versatility of the Paso Fino, effortlessly presented each gait and furthermore Juniell had Trofeo doing jumps during the display. We received a superb reaction from the crowd.

 

Larry Whitesell Gaited Horsemanship Returns To Rancho Toledano

Join us Oct. 28 - Nov 1, 2010 for an inspiring clinic and gathering with Larry Whitesell at Rancho Toledano Paso Fino Farm in Penn Valley, Ca.

Larry Whitesell, will return to Rancho Toledano in Penn Valley California for a three day clinic as well as two days of private lessons. Many of you were able to see Larry at the Expo in Pomona, and you will have another opportunity to watch him at the Cal Expo in Sacramento. Because this is his only private California clinic in 2010, we will fill with people from all over the state. Please visit his website to learn more about his work with classical dressage and gaited horsemanship for the trail and pleasure rider, as well as the show rider. Riders may stay on the ranch. Dry camping is available, and we are arranging for low cost local hotels for auditors.

Contact: Yvette Trevorrow 530-362-1298
Pasofinos@ranchotoledano.com
Contact: Ranchotoledano.com under Larry Clinic
Visit Larry's website at: www.whitesellgaitedhorsemanship.com/

 

Top of Page

 

Copyright © 2006 - 2010 California Paso Fino Horse Association - All rights reserved - cpfhamail@aol.com
website by: Dianella.com
Photos by : April Visel Photography