Born to Gait -Summer 2022 (The Conservation Issue)

SUMMER 2022

Duck Duck Goose/Horse: A new episode in conservation The story of David Holderread and the two families that make-up Bluebird Paradise Paso Finos in Oregon

THE CONSERVATION ISSUE

Paso Fino, which means “fine step or delicate walk” in Spanish, perfectly describes the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino’s natural gait. The Paso Fino is a lateral four-beat gait performed with a short and low action, executed with elegance, poise, and swiftness, resulting in a shock absorbing action which makes it very smooth. The distinctive sound of the Paso Fino is ta-ca-ta-ca-ta-ca-ta-ca. The gait is performed in a gliding, forward movement, without rocking or bumping the saddle.

People who cannot ride other horse breeds because of back or other physical problems find that they are often able to ride again due to the extremely smooth ride of the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino.

The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino’s gait is performed at three speeds. Classic fino is a show gait and is performed fully collected with a fast footfall. The paso corto is executed when the horse is moving forward with medium extension and collection, at a speed similar to that of a trot. The paso corto is an excellent trail gait that if the horse is in good physical condition, can be executed with ease all day long. The paso largo is a ground covering gait with bold, animated, and long strides. Some horses can largo at a speed of up to 25 miles per hour.

The most important characteristics of the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses are its natural gait and smoothness.

These are the qualities that the owners and breeders prize most in their animals. Natural gait and smoothness are what set them apart from other horse breeds. In addition, the Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses have excellent dispositions, great strength, intelligence, stamina, and courage. They are people-oriented horses that are beautiful and proud.

Puerto Rican horses come in a variety of colors with and without markings, and range in size from 13 to 15 hands.

Most have long flowing manes and tails. They are remarkably versatile. Contrary to popular stereotypes, they are not just wonderful show and parade horses. They can learn to jump, excel on competitive trail rides, barrel racing, and gymkhana.

On the ranch they have a natural born instinct for working cattle. Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses can do anything any other horse can do, do it well, and do it with extreme comfort for the rider.

An excerpt of the Paso Fino description from the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Federation website.

PUBLISHER Romualdo Olazábal EDITORIAL TEAM Cover Farm William Arias History Denisse Cancel Pedro Burgos Genetics Paola Matos Reflections at 4-beats Xiomara Arias Contributing Writers Dr. E. Gus Cothran Heinz Reusser Regional News Xiomara Arias - Kentucky Ramon Bodón - Texas Denisse Cancel - Florida Margarita García - Texas Jennifer Watkins - South Carolina

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Summer 2022 • Volume 1 Issue 2 • June 30, 2022

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

There is an old story about the time when Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, President of the Dominican Republic, tried to buy Dulce Sueño. They say that in the 1930s, a high-ranking officer from the Dominican Republic arrived at La Tuna, Genaro Cautiño’s farm in Guayama, with a blank check for him to put in any amount ... but Cautiño refused to sell his horse. It is said that Cautiño’s son still has the check as a reminder of the fame of “the father of the modern breed”.

What a remarkable story! Two men so profoundly in love with Dulce Sueño that they would have done anything to own him. Trujillo was willing to pay any amount of money, and Cautiño was determined to reject any offer.

Awilda Colón has another story worth telling. Her father, Lorenzo Colón, loved Dulce Sueño so much that he traveled from Arecibo to Guayama a couple of times a week, a several hours’ drive, crossing the island from north to south on country roads, just to visit him. One day, Cautiño, surprised by how much he saw Lorenzo at La Tuna, asked him if he had family in Guayama. Lorenzo answered: “Yes ... Dulce Sueño.”

Cautiño was moved and asked his trainer to saddle the horse for him, but Lorenzo replied that Dulce Sueño was not to be ridden but to be admired.

Illustration by Arq. José Vivó.

People like Cautiño, Lorenzo, and many more like them devoted their lives and resources to the well-being of the breed. Nevertheless, it is endangered. What happened along the way? Where along the way did we lose interest or stop caring? When did we make the wrong decisions that got us here?

There is not a more important project for PPR Paso Fino lovers than saving our breed. As David Holderread says in the Cover Farm article, we must consider the next generation and the next 20 generations. That is why we decided to dedicate the Summer Issue to the conservation of the breed. We hope that when you read it you understand how important and urgent this is ... and that by understanding it, you decide to be part of the solution. The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino is counting on you!

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IN THIS ISSUE 1

Publisher’s note

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The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino, a horse worth conserving

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Duck Duck Goose/Horse: A new episode in conservation

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The Puerto Rican Paso Fino (Conquistador Magazine)

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Analysis of Genetic Diversity in the Puerto Rico Paso Fino

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An opinion on Dr. Gus Cothran’s article about the genetic diversity of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino

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The History and Origins are important to know and preserve

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Conservation: A vital mission for us all

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Regional News

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36 On the cover David Holderread, from Bluebird Paradise Paso Finos in Oregon, with Dulcito (Turabo Segundo out of Royalty’s Belle de Fleco). More about Bluebird Paradise Paso Finos in the Cover Farm article on page 10.

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EDITORIAL

The Puerto Rican Paso Fino, a horse worth conserving Romualdo Olazábal Romualdo Olazábal come from a family of horse owners and breeders: Paso Finos on his mother’s side and Thoroughbreds on his father’s. Now in his 60’s, he has spent his entire life associated with the Paso Fino horse breed. His breeding program at Hacienda Pisaflores seeks to conserve the characteristics that make the Puerto Rican Paso Fino the smoothest saddle horse in the world.

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very hour, three species disappear. Every day, up to 150 species are lost. Every year, between 18,000 and 55,000 species become extinct.1 The Livestock Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that works on preserving and promoting rare breeds of farm animals (also known as “heritage breeds”), reports that as of today, 1 in 5 of the world’s livestock breeds is in danger of extinction. The Pure Puerto Rican (PPR) Paso Fino Horse is one of these breeds.

In 2020, a group of PPR Paso Fino enthusiasts in Oregon successfully petitioned The Livestock Conservancy to include our breed in their Conservation Priority List as a “Threatened” breed.2 An estimate from 2017 determined that fewer than 500 of these horses are registered in the continental United States and fewer than 2,500 in Puerto Rico.

But we think that the real numbers are far lower.

The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Federation of America registered 110 horses from 2011 to 2021. This is about 10 new horses yearly for the last 10 years. The three Paso Fino organizations in Puerto Rico—Federación, Asociación Nacional and Asociación Insular—together registered less than 100 new horses yearly for the past 10 years. This means only about 1,100 new horses were registered in both Puerto Rico and the United States in the last ten years.

Paso Finos on the mainland tend to live longer than those on the island, frequently reaching 30 years of age. But

Mr. Puerto Rico, one of the best and most beautiful Paso Finos ever.

on the island, many horses died in their early 20s or sooner (there are a few cases of horses reaching 30, but these are rare exceptions). Fifteen years ago, I wrote an article about the situation of the breed in Puerto Rico and the numbers at that time were almost identical, so we can fairly say that this has been the pattern during the last 20 or 25 years.

Therefore, if we extrapolate these numbers, we can assume that there are less than 2,000 live horses in Puerto Rico and less than 250 live horses in the continental United States.3

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These are very conservative estimates, so the actual numbers could be even lower.

These estimates only include registered horses. Horses that are not registered cannot be counted as part of the breed. Registration is important because to register a horse, a DNA sample is needed to do a parental verification of its sire and dam. If the chain is broken and a horse is not registered, its offspring will not be able to qualify as part of the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino breed. The only recognized registry within the United States is the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Federation of America.4 Despite the low numbers, there is hope. In the United States, after the recognition of the PPR Paso Fino as an endangered breed by The Livestock Conservancy, there is a renewed interest by the breeders in conserving our breed.

Although the registration rate seems to be unchanging, more foals have been born during the last few years.

For example, the first time I attended the Classic Cel-

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ebration Show in 2016, I was shocked by the lack of young colts and fillies. The schooling classes were empty, except for La Reina de Pride, which was 4.5 years old at that time. All the other horses at the show were adults. I remember telling Pedro Burgos that a breed without youngsters was destined to disappear. But things are starting to change. Last year there were new pregnant mares and new foals born in South Carolina, Florida, Missouri, New York, Texas, and Oregon.

We have a saying in Spanish: “Una golondrina no hace verano” (One swallow does not a summer make {attrib. Aristotle}, meaning one good event is not a promise of continued success). This is a good start, but much more is to be done.

Why is it important to conserve the Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horse breed?

Dr. Gus Cothran, Geneticist and Professor Emeritus at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, wrote: “the Puerto Rico Paso Fino appears to be clearly related to Old World Iberian horses and may be

Another photo of Mr. Puerto Rico. The author believes that this should be the model that breeders should be looking for.

We have already noted that there are PPR Paso Finos in Puerto Rico and the United States, but how do these two populations differ and complement each other?

There are two main clusters in the United States: South Carolina on the east coast and Oregon on the west coast.

The horses in Oregon primarily represent the old type and old bloodlines imported before 1980, while the horses in South Carolina were imported later and included more contemporary bloodlines. Some are show horses, others are working or pleasure horses, but apart from their lines and their use, all these horses have in common that they have been bred to be truly saddle horses: size, good conformation, the naturalness of gait, smoothness and versatility were the primary consideration of their breeders.

The goal of the breeders on the island differs significantly from that of their counterparts on the mainland.

Instead of breeding horses for pleasure or work, breeders in Puerto Rico bred exclusively for the show ring. This is a problem because horses are no longer being bred to meet Faetón (aka Faeton LaCe), one of the original PFHA Foundation Sires.

one of the closest representatives left of the type of horse the Spanish brought to the Americas 500 years ago.”5 This alone should be enough reason to conserve the PPR Paso Fino, but there is more...

There is written evidence from 1843 and 1860 of a Puerto Rican breed of horse called Paso Fino, which was already known and admired, at that time, in the Antilles.6 There is also an observation from 1797 where a French naturist, although he does not use the name “Paso Fino,” describes the “indigenous” horses of Puerto Rico in a similar way to what we know today as Paso Fino.7 It is reasonable to state that the Puerto Rican Paso Fino was already established as a breed between 1797 and 1843, which would make it the oldest in the Caribbean and one of the first in the Americas.

The Paso Fino breed is also an intrinsic part of the culture and history of the people of Puerto Rico. Additionally, genetic characteristics make it unique in the world, such as the mutation that causes “tiger eyes” that has not been found in any other breed.

BORN TO GAIT • SUMMER 2022 5 Kofresí, one of the most prolific sires in Puerto Rico. Many of today’s horses have it in their ancestry.

Mariscal III, undefeated Paso Fino (Classic Fino) Campion in Puerto Rico.

the breed description but to satisfy the show trends... and while the breed standard should remain unchanged, fashion changes with time and is not always in the breed’s best interest.

We must understand that each generation has interpreted the description of the breed, twisting it to accommodate the tastes and fashions of the moment. This way of breeding, using the “champions” as ideal models, promotes active breeding for one or two main characteristics, but always at the expense of the others.

For example, in the 1980s, a model of finesse (finura) was promoted where horses could barely lift their legs off the ground. This caused the next generation to lose strength and elasticity in their hindquarters. Even more so, when at that time a horse showed strong and elastic hindquarters, it was demonized saying that it had a “Colombian-like gait.”

Another example is the loss of interest in the Bellas Formas classes. With the overuse of Kofresí and some of his sons as stallions, the breed lost size and conformation.

Following this model, breeders wanted quicker, tight-gaited horses and suggested that horses needed to be smaller to achieve this type of gait. They based their assumption on

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the champions from that time, who were smaller. Then, the inbreeding of those small horses was over abused, so the breed dwindled in size. With a population where many horses do not have the height nor the conformation, they simply stopped participating in the Bellas Formas classes.

These examples show how fashion can change a breed.

Two other events narrowed the gene pool on the island dramatically. First, the overuse of Kofresí and his sons not only changed the model that the breeders were following, but those same breeders discharged all other stallions in favor of the Kofresí line. This caused complete families to be lost forever. And second, is the Colombian movement, where breeders hoarded many of the best broodmares to produce half-breeds. If a breed is deprived of most of its best bellies for two generations, the genetic cost will be the reduction of the gene pool and a threat to the very survival of the breed.

The population on the island differs noticeably in its genetics, looks, and movements compared to that on the mainland. Genetically, some bloodlines were favored over others, to the extent that many lines available on the mainland no longer exist on the island. Emphasizing conformation, the breeders on the mainland bred to get sound, elegant, well-

sized horses they could ride and enjoy for themselves. In contrast, on the island, breeders, as we already said, chose sires with championship titles without any consideration for soundness, size, conformation, etc. Finally, in movements, since most owners on the mainland train their own horses, they are more conscious of the importance of a naturally smooth gait and calm, “bombproof ” temperament. Meanwhile, on the island, almost all horses are trained by professional trainers, and the owners (including the breeders) are not always aware of the natural abilities of their horses (or the lack of them).

on the island.

But, when we think about conservation, these differences can work in our favor to benefit of the breed. The first step is to acknowledge that both populations are different and complement each other. For example, the breeders in Oregon knew that their horses all descended from the same herd, so they took in a stallion imported from the island. I, living in Puerto Rico, am expecting a foal from a mainland breeder line-bred to the Alicante line, which no longer exists

All breeds exist for specific reasons. The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino exists to be a saddle horse, the smoothest of all saddle horse breeds. This is why it was developed. This was its purpose. This is what they are meant to be. Shows are essential, but only if they are used to measure the degree of improvement within the parameters of the breed. Most breeds are recognized by how they look, by their conforma-

This brings us to discuss the meaning of conservation.

We already know that the quantity of horses, both in Puerto Rico and the continental United States, is low. That resulted in the “threatened” label from The Livestock Conservancy.

But conservation is not only about increasing the population. We need as broad a range of bloodlines as possible, and we need to breed horses close to the definition of the breed. We also need to conserve the two types of horse we have today (on the mainland and on the island) and breed to get the old Paso Fino type from the Dulce Sueño time.

BORN TO GAIT • SUMMER 2022 Armani del Sol, Bellas Formas Champion in Puerto Rico.

Now standing at stud in Oregon.

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Alicante, in Puerto Rico, before being imported to the mainland. Alicante made the PFHA Top Ten Sires List in 1990, 1991, and 1994.

tion. In our breed, besides the written description, we have a horse to show us that ideal: Dulce Sueño, “the father of the modern breed.” But, at least in Puerto Rico, there are no longer horses that look like him.

Conformation is essential, and it has its purpose. The Paso Fino horse must be constructed like a Paso Fino if we expect it to gait like a Paso Fino. In architecture, a design principle states that form follows function, but in a living organism designed by mankind to do a job, it should be the other way around: function should follow form. You won’t enter a Formula 1 race in a Jeep, nor will you attempt to tow

a 4-horse trailer with a VW Beetle. This is something we have forgotten in Puerto Rico, but breeders in the United States have been very conscious of the importance of correct conformation.

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You might have your own thoughts about this, but I believe breeds should not evolve (as being transformed into another thing). On the other hand, breeds need to be improved within their limits and capabilities. On the island, the breeders have tried to increase the number of show horses, which are supposed to be the “crème de la crème,” and, up to some extent, they have been able to produce a few outstanding quick, tight-gaited horses. I know that quality is relative to the horse’s work, but our breed description— our standard—asks specifically for this type of horse.

The Puerto Rican Paso Fino is endangered because

of the outcome of many things wrongly done for decades.

When Paso Fino became a sport, the well-being of the breed took second place in the minds of the sportspeople. As a result, the goal of many breeders changed from breeding

the smoothest saddle horse to producing the next champion. This is still the purpose of island breeders when they design a cross. They haven’t realized that other people lose interest when you limit the breed so much. If you take away the breed’s versatility, you are left with a horse that is only attractive to a select few.

Breeders in the United States and Puerto Rico need to work together. We need to unite our efforts to conserve our breed and raise it to a higher level. All current types are important. All bloodlines are important. All horses are important. This is why it is so vital that all horses are registered to be counted as part of the breed.

Conserving the breed is a labor of love ... and passion ... and compromise. But breeders cannot do it alone. We need more people to know and fall in love with the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino. Therefore, education and promotion are essential parts of conservation. Like many breeders in the United States and Puerto Rico, we at Born to Gait are making a big effort to keep our breed alive. But the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino needs all of us.

What can we do?

In Puerto Rico, don’t be too obsessed with shows and championships. Aim for the whole package, horses that are well built and can execute the full range of gaits (fino, corto and largo). Acknowledge the quality of the horses in the continental United States and the importance of their bloodlines and breed to them. To the organizations, open the shows to other classes that attract new people and that showcase the versatility of the breed.

In the States, register your horses. Remember that to be counted as part of the breed your horse needs to be registered with a recognized “purist” organization. It is great to have pleasure and working horses; but acknowledge that the breed ideal, the best of the best, is Classic Fino. Breed more of them, if possible, from island lines. And used them for pleasure and work, you will be surprised by the capabilities of these horses.

Turabo was a very influential stallion and his name can be found in many pedigrees of the horses in the United States herd. In the photo, he appears with his owner, Zona Butler.

Footnotes: 1 Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Message from Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity (22-May-2007).

2 The Livestock Conservancy classified the endangered breeds as “Critical,” “Threatened,” “Watch,” or “Recovering” based upon the annual number of registrations in the United States and the breed’s estimated global population size.

3 For the calculation in Puerto Rico we used 100 horses per year x the last 20 years, assuming that the tendency has kept the same and the median age of the horses is 20 years old. We used 10 horses per year x 25 years for the United States calculation, assuming a media of 25 years old horses.

4 Other organizations register Puerto Rican Paso Finos and other Paso breeds, but they promote the crossbred under the American Paso Fino name. None of these organizations can guarantee the purity of the Puerto Rican Paso Finos in their registry.

5 Dr. E. Gus Cothran, Analysis of Genetic Diversity in the Puerto Rico Paso Fino, Texas A & M University. The study can be read on page __ of this issue of Born to Gait.

6 De Hostos, Adolfo. Historia de San Juan, Ciudad Murada. Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, Puerto Rico, 1966. Schœlcher, Victor. Les colonies étrangères dans l’Amérique et Hayti (Foreign colonies in America and Haiti) (2 vols., 1843). Quoted by José M. Laracuente in his book Historia Cronológica del Caballo Puertorriqueño, page 71-72.

7 Ledrú, André Pierre. Viaje a la Isla de Puerto Rico en el año 1797.

Translated to Spanish by Julio L. De Vizcarrondo. Imprenta Militar de J. González, Puerto Rico, 1863.

For all of us, promote the breed. Talk about your wonderful horses, your experiences, and your love for them.

Invite your family and friends to a “test drive” so they also fall in love. Make the interest grow, so the population of horses also grows.

Photo of Mariscal III courtesy of José Huertas - Paso Fino, Raza Autóctona de Puerto Rico. Photo of Turabo courtesy of Gay Campbell. Other photos from Francisco Rodríguez and Romualdo Olazábal collections.

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COVER FARM

Duck Duck Goose/Horse: A new episode in conservation William Arias Jr. William Arias Jr. is a retired U.S. Navy Commander. William is a native of Puerto Rico, and has dedicated his retirement days to conserving the Puerto Rican Paso Fino. He owns Hacienda Borikén in Kentucky along with his wife Teresa.

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ost readers are familiar with the preschool game Duck Duck Goose in which the players are assembled in a circle while another single player walks around the outside of the circle touching each player while saying duck. At some point the single player replaces duck with goose and that selected person must then chase the single player around the circle and catch them before they reach the selected players original position. If the selected player is successful they return to the circle and the original single players starts walking around the circle again.

If unsuccessful, then they become the player to walk around and touch the other players now in the circle.

David’s life has been dedicated to waterfowl, and more specifically, to ducks and geese. During this adventure, although not a game, he has touched many lives, compelling many to follow his example and passionately pursue avian interests. It is beyond the scope of this article to detail David’s contributions to waterfowl management and conservation but a cursory internet search for “David Holderread waterfowl” will yield many results. However, a new episode of conservation has kindled the devoted hearts of David and

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his family; a new chapter which had its roots in Puerto Rico many years ago at the tender age of three when he saw his first Pure Puerto Rican (PPR) Paso Finos horses.

In 1955, David’s father had been invited by the Ulrich Foundation to manage and train Puerto Ricans in milk, vegetable, and poultry production at the foundation’s facilities in the Asomante area of Aibonito. The Foundation established what is considered to be the island’s first modern dairy farm. The family traveled from Idaho to Puerto Rico during Christmas 1955. Imagining 1950’s Puerto Rico is to be immersed in a different world. Although electricity and water were available over most of the island, reliability varied and very few good roads existed through the mountainous interior. The only major airport was in San Juan and the trip to Aibonito, although only 45 miles, was roughly a half day’s event!

Roads originally designed by the Spaniards in the late 1800’s and improved in the 1930’s under the umbrella of the New Deal programs greeted the young family. Improvement is a relative term as the roads were still narrow, circuitous, continuously switchbacking, and with abundant drop-offs. The roads were unrestricted thoroughfares that

Dave with a flock of young ducks. In the top photo, a flock of young ducks and gooses.

were shared by all: cars, trucks, horses, pigs, chickens, oxen, and mules carrying heavily laden wagons. If you got stuck behind a big truck the journey would be even longer.

After the long trip from Puerto Rico International Airport (now known as Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport), the young Holderread family arrived in Aibonito at nightfall and promptly ushered the children to bed. At daybreak, David clearly remembers that morning and his first memorable vision of Puerto Rico. Outside his bedroom windows was a small pasture which housed the Foundation’s horses. He fell in love with these Paso Finos immediately.

This was a time in Puerto Rico where horses were not just a luxury but a vital means of transportation to safely negotiate the mountainous interior and its many trails. David’s mother Rachel, as a midwife, used a horse to reach the remote jibaros (Puerto Rican name for the rural inhabitants of the mountains: akin to the mainland word for hillbilly and a modern day moniker of pride in Puerto Rico). Almost every large coffee plantation, sugar plantation, or cattle operation had a “real nice registered stallion that would be bred to the local mares.” Many horses were not registered but almost all were gaited.

Almost everyone admires the beauty and majesty of the horse. We can all learn to ride but it is both science and art to become a master. Great equestrians transcend the science, refine the art, and establish a connection with the animal. David was born with an innate attraction to horses. His mother wrote in his baby book that from the age of 10 months he would tap her shoulders every time he saw a horse. His father would relate watching young David standing at the fence, observing the horses, methodically gaining their confidence with offers of hay, and eventually riding them reinless throughout the paddock. Whereas others would chase the horses to tack them, for David, he would climb the fence and the horses would come to him for mounting. The family jest was always,” why work so hard when all you have to do is wait at the fence!”

After a few years, David’s family returned to the mainland. From the age of 8, he began breeding rare poultry but was interested in all animals. These included rabbits, sheep, racing pigeons, chickens, pheasants, peacocks, ducks and geese. This grew into an emphasis on preserving older breeds. Although his dedicated pursuits focused on “anything with feathers,” his love and memory of these horses

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used less formally in Puerto Rico). The trusty steeds were awesome but occasionally required significant rider intervention because they wanted to go after the cattle!

David’s passion with traditional breeds actually resulted in his second departure from Puerto Rico. Avian research he conducted in Puerto Rico revealed that older/heritage breeds were most adaptable to tropical and sub-tropical regions and had superior disease resistance and foraging skills.

However, most of these breeds were becoming critically rare.

He decided to dedicate his life to preserving these breeds.

However, Puerto Rico was not the best place from which to distribute these birds. David and Millie returned to the mainland in the mid 1970’s and began a very productive ministry that has informed and supported generations of bird lovers in preserving and advancing declining populations of waterfowl. Please visit https://www.holderreadfarm. com as the stepping stone to recreate their journey.

Dave ridding Flecha with Millie at his side (Puerto Rico, 1975).

never faltered. In the early 70’s he accepted an opportunity to return to his childhood playground in Aibonito, Puerto Rico to develop a Title 1 vocational poultry breeding and research program. Although the “birds paid the bills,” the horses were back in his life. During this second time living in Puerto Rico David was able to engage with horses as an adult.

From this perspective David observed and appreciated the utility of the breed. One example he shared was that of observing his neighbor, a Cuban man who operated a beef cattle operation, round up and sort cattle with horses that exhibited a natural cowiness yielding a nearly effortless and efficient task for the rider. El Cubano (the Cuban) would simply point the horse toward the cattle of interest and the horse would eagerly do its job! This was especially useful on those steep pastures. These Paso Fino horses that could do it all just fascinated this 20 year old young man! He was also enchanted by Millie. This young lady would become his supportive partner for life. During their time in Puerto Rico they purchased 3 horses: Flecha, Apache and Furia.

On weekends, they would gather with friends and students to engage in Cabalgatas (English cavalcade but generally 12

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A number of years after settling in Philomath, Oregon, Millie’s sister Wanita and her husband Dale also chose to establish their roots on an adjacent farm. Dale was also a horse lover as his father had owned a large Arabian show horse farm with over 100 specimens. This combined love for horses resulted in many horse centered conversations among the families. Dale and Wanita’s children, Christopher and Maggie, grew up listening to David’s captivating accounts of the special horses from Puerto Rico. At the age of 5, Maggie exclaimed, “All you do is talk about horses but we never get any!” The adults agreed but the new horses could only be Paso Finos! The exasperated observations of a 5 year old girl became the impetus for the beginning of Bluebird Paradise Paso Finos.

Preparations began for bringing horses to the farm with the construction of two stalls for Christopher’s and Maggie’s dream horses on Dale and Wanita’s property. However, the self-imposed limitation that the horses had to be Paso Finos introduced exceptional challenges as they were difficult to find in Oregon. As they traveled and searched David noticed that the few Paso Fino horses they found were nothing like the horses in Puerto Rico. He would ask owners if the horses were from Puerto Rico and the invariable response was all Paso Finos are the same. David knew that was wrong! Multiple expeditions with no success resulted in long, disappointing and quiet rides back home. On one of these quiet trips, Dale suggested “we need six horses, one for

each of us.” Everyone thought he was crazy! However, the group ended up with 8 horses! The new herd was mainly Colombians, a ¾ Puerto Rican Filly yearling and another ½ Puerto Rican that was for Maggie. Although not pure, they were much more like the horses of Puerto Rico in temperament and movement. David also had a Colombian shipped from Oklahoma. They could not find PPR Paso Finos.

The families started offering complementary riding lessons introducing folks to the Paso Fino. After over 100 riders they started charging. Maggie had become a skillful rider. At horse shows, Maggie had the only Paso Fino and everyone would grumble that it’s not fair that your horse is so smooth. The desire for Pure Puerto Rican horses continued but with no success. They would hear rumors of PPR Paso Finos but the horses never materialized. Crosses were available but David wanted a Puro!

David and Millie visited Puerto Rico in January 2013.

During their visit they decided to dine at their favorite restaurant, Ladi’s Place in Salinas. Ladi’s place was estab-

lished in 1949 and is known as the birthplace of the Mojo Isleno; a sauce consisting of tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic and olives which is generously spread over fish. The date of their visit coincided with the annual Cabalgata de Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day Cavalcade). This Cavalcade is a huge event attended by thousands of riders from throughout the island with many breeds of horse represented. David was so overjoyed to see so many Paso Finos.

During the return flight, as he and Millie were over Texas, David declared, “we are never buying another horse unless it is a Pure Puerto Rican.” This comment was prophetic in a way he never imagined! Two months later they had 12!

As fate would have it a herd of 53 Pure Puerto Rican horses owned by Ken Goodenough was being dispersed only 1 hour away from Corvallis, Oregon. David ended up with 1 stallion and two mares (one pregnant and the other with a week old alongside). The stallion was Turabo Segundo, the survivor of a barn fire at the Pennsylvania farm of Zona Butler. The horse had never been handled and David was

BORN TO GAIT • SUMMER 2022 Dave with Turabo Segundo (Turabo out of Charlatana).

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not able to bring him home on the first visit. However, shortly thereafter, David received a call from Ken that the stallion had been captured with a mare in a small corral in the center of a pasture. To get the trailer to the horse multiple fence lines had to be cut and it took 5 people to handle the horse. After a significant struggle, Turabo Segundo was in the trailer and as the door was slammed shut for the hour drive home, David thought, “What have I gotten myself into?” At Bluebird, a round pen had been set up far away from other horses to let him out. When the trailer door was opened, David observed that Turabo Segundo was torn up with lacerations and just stood there. He remembers telling Millie that this is probably the best opportunity I will have to put a halter on him. After getting him haltered for the first time ever, David spent the next two hours guiding him around and they became best buddies. David noted, “This is the horse I remember! Smart! Show them kindness and they respond.” Turabo Segundo was used as a stallion at Bluebird and was a good dad at keeping the colts in order. David’s buddy was put down this year at the age of 27. He had a rough beginning and was worn out but he was much loved in his later years.

Turabo (aka Zorro) - Trinfo del Turabo out of 14 Royalty’sBORN TOD’Alicante GAIT • SUMMER 2022 Alicantes Imperial Princess.

From the same herd, Dale and Wanita bought another stallion and two mares; then on another trip a third mare with a foal. They ended up with 9 in a short order! 10 when a baby was born a month later. The last one from the herd was Zorro (Royalty’s Turabo de Alicante). He was a 5 year old stud colt that had never been haltered. Today Zorro is 16 years old and a large 14.3 hand stallion that is the poster child for the Livestock Conservancy’s information page on the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino. (Visit https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/ puerto-rican-paso-fino) David shares that he is a marvelous horse with a great temperament that is easy to handle.

Without training and while lunging he self-collects and performs the fino gait. His soft petite footfall is the show gait of years ago. Sadly many of Ken Goodenough’s horses ended up at auction and were never heard from again.

Today Bluebird Paradise Paso Finos continues as a collaborative effort between the two families and supporters.

Of note, Peg Cornell bears mentioning as she and David were instrumental in generating the proper documentation to have the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino recognized by the

Fresco y Cupido, two colts sired by Zorro.

Livestock Conservancy as a threatened breed. This classification by a well-respected and internationally recognized organization will help to increase awareness of the breed and generate interest in preservation efforts.

On the farm most of the groundwork is performed by David and Maggie. Although Maggie has a job and an 11 month daughter (congratulations to grandparents Dale and Wanita!) she continues to train and do the first rides. The extremely supportive team works together to ensure the success of the herd. Millie doesn’t ride but is always there

by David’s side and Wanita is singularly responsible for the technical management aspects. Please visit their websites!

The herd consists of 19 horses of which 16 are PPR. Twelve belong to David and Millie, 3 are Dale and Wanita’s and 1 is Peg’s. Dale loves the friendly temperament of the Paso Fino. Peg also has a Colombian ... but we all know which one she prefers!

Zorro has three 3-year old progeny all born within 7 days of each other. Two have been gelded and the third has piqued David’s interests. The mare has Cupido twice in her

pedigree. Zorro’s lineage goes back to Cupido and Fleco de Oro. This young colt, at Cupido three times, has a wonderful temperament and is the most like Zorro. His stride is longer than his father’s but still in the parameter of good.

He also carries his body similarly. Cupido has different hips and a shorter body than his father, but otherwise is a copy. David is not sure how these differences will translate.

David notes the modern horses tend to be shorter backed and this is not necessarily a good trait. In the Paso gait, the torque on the back is different. “It will be interesting to see how this one comes out.” When asked, which is his favorite horse? David replies, “whichever one I am looking at is my favorite.” Another interesting colt is a 2 year old from Turabo Segundo. At 2 years of age he is at 14 hands and has Dulce Sueño 25 times in his lineage. He will not be ridden until 3 years of age.

The Bluebird Paradise Paso Finos are very cowy. One that was sold was taken by the new owners to a cow working clinic. The new owners related to David that the clinician noted that their horse, a PPR Paso Fino, was the cowiest

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horse at the clinic. The rest of the horses were Quarter Horses. Sometimes traditional elements are better preserved away from their origins. A recent report noted that the most authentic traditional Irish music sound today is found in Appalachia. The researchers surmise that in Ireland the sound continued to evolve while in Appalachia it was preserved. Perhaps the cowiness of the PPR Paso Fino has been preserved in the Bluebird Paradise herd.

David ascribes much of his successful husbandry to observation. This includes the observation of the animals and the observations of successful horse trainers. These animal observations somewhat vexed his father who routinely believed David should engage in some more productive exercises, but it was one of the keys to learning to comfortably and confidently work with the animals. Every step you take, each hand movement you make, each gaze of your eyes should have a purpose. David would ask students, “Why did you do that?” The routine response would be, “I don’t know.”

Successful students observe and repeat the trainer’s actions.

Royalty’s Princess D’Alicante - Turabo Segundo out of Alicantes Imperial Princess.

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David is the first to admit that he has made mistakes but has learned from them. Occasionally, he will ask himself, “What in the world am I doing?”

Three traits are considered when making breeding decisions on the farm: gait, temperament and conformation. The first two are somewhat objective. However, David qualifies conformation as “functional conformation” and is hesitant to use the term “good conformation” as there are many different opinions of the perfect Paso Fino. A visitor from Germany shared that crosses are being made in Germany to create the “Super Paso”; a taller horse with a wider chest and rump. David explains that the rapid action of the Paso Fino requires a narrower frame to aid in heat dissipation and prevents the excessive breakdown of muscle tissue.

Thermodynamics tells us that a sphere does not dissipate heat very well hence fuel efficient domed houses, whereas the long and narrow shape of a radiator is very efficient at heat transference. The Paso Fino was bred to be long and narrow to dissipate the heat generated by the rapid action.

sold to a buyer in Texas for $100,000 earning the distinction as the highest price ever paid for a PPR Paso Fino1.

Carissa (Carreyto de CdC out of Mañana Sonrisa), with her foal Pepito

David uses the example of show Arabians to demonstrate

the artificial changes that have been made to breeds. The Arabian no longer resembles the hardy animal bred to thrive in the Arabian deserts. David also considers for breeding from their lunging performance and loves horse that collect themselves. “It makes it so much easier to saddle train as you are not forcing them to do anything.” At 70, David’s ideal horse height is 14 hands as it is much easier to get up and down. He still rides just, not as much.

David notes that modern breeders tend to pick whatever horse is hot right now and overuse it for breeding. This results in gene pool reduction in a remarkably short time and long-term survivability dramatically sinks. Rather than breeding only from the current popular stallions, we should be selecting the top 10% (more or less) from each male and female line, thereby elevating the quality of all the family lines. In future years, linebred horses from different lines can be interbred, resulting in hybrid vigor (heterosis). David concedes there is still a lot we don’t know about genetics and breeding. When we select for one trait we may be sacrificing another or unintentionally selecting for a third and occasionally we introduce inbreeding depression. Breeding decisions must be made that consider both the next generation and the next 20 generations. Conservation breeding requires us to focus on what will be best for the future, not just for today. The selections may or may not be the best for today but we want it to be the best for the future. At Bluebird Paradise this approach that has been proven successfully with waterfowl is being used to preserve the Fleco de Oro Paso Fino lines. In the late 70’s/early 80’s, Fleco de Oro was

It is dedicated folks like David, Millie, Dale, Wanita, Maggie, Peg and others who commit and sacrifice their time, efforts and resources to engage in a ministry of service to God’s creation to whom future generations will owe their gratitude. Those who preceded us gave us a wonderful gift crafted for a purpose over many generations. We have a responsibility to preserve that legacy and protect the genetic diversity and survivability of this breed in spite of contemporary priorities that may be unintentionally shortsighted.

This new episode of conservation will not be concluded within our lifetimes but if successful will be a legacy for all involved. Like my PPR Paso Fino breeder friend in San Germán, Puerto Rico, Pepe Llenín exclaims: “¡QUE VIVA EL PASO FINO!”

Another photo of Zorro. Zorro he is the poster child for the Livestock Conservancy’s information page on the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino.

Endnotes: 1 Grandes ofertas monetarias por nuestros ejemplares de la raza de Paso Fino. PasoFinoPur.com. https://www.pasofinopur.com/copy-of-el-pasofino-en-pr For more information about the Mennonite influence in Puerto Rico, consider Rafael Falcón and Tom Lehman’s book “Mennonite Memories of Puerto Rico” (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, Oct. 2014) Bluebird Paradise Paso Finos can be found online at http://www.bluebirdpasofinos.com David’s Waterfowl site can be found online at https://www.holderreadfarm. com/index.htm All quotes not attributed are from an interview conducted for Born to Gait magazine with David Holderread on May 22, 2022.

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FEATURED ARTICLE

The Puerto Rican Paso Fino Heinz Reusser Conquistador Magazine

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he history and early development of the Paso Fino Horse is very closely interrelated with the settlement of the country of Puerto Rico. Although he is a descendant of the horses that were imported from Spain, this horse does not reflect the personality and preferences of the Europeans. He manifests the temperament, spirit and feelings of the emerging people of Puerto Rico that represent many elements of all the races and cultures merged during the process of colonization.

Substantially due to the quality and excellence of the horses bred on the island, Puerto Rico played a very important role in the colonization of the New World. In 1521 Ponce de Léon obtained fifty horses for his search for the fountain of youth. In the same time period, Francisco Pizarro bought horses needed for the conquest of South America in Puerto Rico and a Don Gaspar Troche imported stock from Puerto Rico for his horse business in Mexico.

After the collapse of a short gold rush, horses became the principal export product of Puerto Rico and thousands were shipped to the New World to satisfy the growing demand.

The period of colonization was truly an Equestrian Era everywhere, including Puerto Rico. Horses were used for work, individual transportation, in the military, and in local

and national celebrations. Thus it was only natural that a selection of the animals with the most desirable traits led to the creation of a breed with special characteristics suited to the uses, climate and topography of the island. Several times 18

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during the centuries that followed a few pure-bred stallions and mares of other breeds were introduced in an effort to strengthen and refresh the native blood. This was considered necessary by some because the harsh weather, deficient nutrition and overwork from a very young age were said to reduce the size and affect the conformation of the native stock. Pure-bred animals of a specific breed were brought in and the crosses were made with specific goals in mind.

The resulting horses were carefully selected to preserve the lateral gait and natural smoothness of the ride that made the Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horse so unique.

The establishment of the particular breed of Paso Fino Horses may have had its origin at the time the San Juan Races (shows) began in 1610. These races were celebrated to commemorate the “Santo Patrón” of Puerto Rico, San Juan Bautista. In these races all the citizens of Puerto Rico participated with their horses.

In the eighteen century, Fray Iñigo Abad y Lasierra described this race in a very particular manner. He said that the men rode these horses with free reins, their hands and arms crossed over their chests and smoking a “tobacco.”

According to him, the women demonstrated the same or superior ability to ride these horses. Lasierra also reports that the horses had incredible stamina and would rather die

than quit. He observed the horses’ outstanding obedience as they stopped or moved out commanded only by the slightest touch on the reins. Concluding his observations of these horses, he mentions that their performance was very smooth

An illustration of how the horses were loaded in Spain for the trip to the New World.

and reversed the arbitrary prohibition proclaimed by the former governor. The contest was celebrated every two years and owners wishing to compete had to present a certificate demonstrating that the horses to be entered were native bred or Paso Fino Horses. As a guide for judging these horses, a set of standards and rules for the shows that took place during fairs was established by Royal Decree and written jointly by the Economic Society, the Municipal government and the Council of Industry and Agriculture. In order to select the best horse for its beauty and performance, the horses in this contest were entered in the “Bellas Formas” and “Elegance and Comfort” competitions to be judged for conformation and their natural ability to perform. Emphasis was placed on good size, solid colors and in the “andadura” competition on speed without breaking gait.

By the 1880’s these competitions took place in several different locations with more new facilities. More emphasis was now being placed on maintaining gait and on stamina.

Horses over three years old were entered in a 1,000-meter-long gait competition with the judges looking for easy movement and a smooth ride.

and comfortable. In 1797 the French naturalist Mr. Pierre Ledrú confirmed all the findings of Lasierra and in his description of the horses’ movements he added the “special type of walk” of this breed, the necessary characteristic of the “Paso Fino.”

In 1906, at the new San Juan Racetrack, the famous stallion Manchado of Don Nicolas Quiñones Cabezudo of Caguas made history when he gallantly performed the correct and elegant “Paso Fino” completely natural and without a rider around the public square. From Manchado later came the famous mares Flores and Deseada, both considered to be part of the foundation of today’s Paso Fino breed.

The practice of selecting mares and stallions to develop a breed with these specific characteristics was clearly established in the decade of the 1770’s when the breeders of Paso Fino Horses sent a letter to the Spanish Crown protesting the attitude of government officials of not attending the San Juan Bautista commemoration. It was at this event that the breeders always had the opportunity to exhibit the product of their efforts.

An old song from 1840 expressed the superiority of this native horse, describing a picture of naturally combined elegance, rhythm and beauty unique in the world. In 1849 the Spanish government, responding to a petition from the people of Puerto Rico, organized and officially recognized the San Juan Races. The Crown of Spain understood the great affection of the Puerto Rican people for this horse

BORN TO GAIT • SUMMER 2022 19 Bolero LaCE (Volare out of Morena), one of the original PFHA Foundation Sires.

Lehndorf von Oettingen, according to which all great horses of any period are inbred somewhere in their first six generations. In his book “Breeding Better Paso Fino Horses” from 1981, he also states that the method of breeding a sire to his nieces was well approved in Puerto Rico and applied with great success. What makes today’s Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horse a unique breed by itself is the fact that at the root there was a specific group of horses with carefully selected characteristics, cautiously bred until these specific traits were genetically “fixed.” Personal records kept by the breeders of this early period formed the foundation of the recognized Studbook started in 1943.

Adagio (Nochebuena out of Niña), ridden by a son of Ramón Ruiz Cestero.

The introduction and growing popularity of the automobile around 1920 almost wiped out all interest in horses.

Only a very small number of breeders continued to preserve the old lines of the “true Paso Fino” that would become the roots of today’s breed. During the earlier decades of our century, these few families were the architects of the present-day Puerto Rican Paso “Fino-Fino” breed. Their breeding and crossbreeding of the old foundation lines of Manchado, Faraón, Fantasía, Garza and Piel de Seda was no accident but well applied “Horse Sense.” Breeders like Manuel Gonzáles, Genaro Cautiño, Nicolás Quiñones Cabezudo, Nolo Roig, Pepe Pérez Llera and José Ramirez Acosta deserve special recognition and respect for the work they did at a time when genetic tools were scant and not well understood.

Dr. Carlos Gaztambide Arillaga, retired professor of animal science and accomplished author of many books on the Paso Fino Horse states that it was the practice of linebreeding with strict culling that gave the necessary homozygosity to the Paso Fino breed. He quotes the theories of Count

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The famous foundation horses of the modern Paso Fino breed include Caramelo I (Faraoncito x La Cora) who sired the six famous stallions Toledo, Regalo, El Principe, Pocholo, Patiblanco and the best known of them all, Dulce Sueño. He is considered to be the most influential of all the stallions of the breed today. In the 1930’s the President of the Dominican Republic is said to have sent a blank check to Mr. Genaro Cautiño asking that his famous Dulce Sueño be delivered to him. The check was returned intact.

Bred to another group of Manchado line mares, Dulce Sueño sired the most extraordinary offspring such as the foundation sires Guamaní, Batalla, Congo Fino, Noche Buena, Telégrafo, Niño and Copa, as well as the great mares Santa Rita, Santa Elena, La Doctora and Sofía Negra.

The most prominent and successful lines in today’s Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino are the descendants of the two famous Dulce Sueño sons Guamaní and Batalla. Guamaní is said to represent the “Andalusian type”, well rounded with great beauty, somewhat longer and taller and with a very pleasing, gentle disposition. To create the present-day Paso Fino, the influence of the more “Barb type” line of Batalla was used also. Built lighter and somewhat angular, this type added the very delicate and smooth way of going and the highly valued brío and stamina. The best representative of the cross of these types and lines was the immortal sire Kofresí. Bred by Mr. Wifredo Beltrán and born in 1958, he was nominated the “Best Producer of Paso Fino for the last 20 Years.” After having recovered from a fractured leg, Kofresí returned to the show arena 10 years later to win the title of Grand Champion. He died at the high age of 27, at a time when his fame and prestige as a sire were still growing.

Cupido, ridden by Cunda Figueroa; and Huapango, ridden by Rufo Figueroa.

For decades the Puerto Rican horse breeders have been striving to produce the smoothest, finest and most delicate gait possible; a gait that is rhythmic and agile and in which the hooves touch the ground softly but with grace and distinction. The gait itself is four-beat lateral with uniform (isochronal) timing and equal (isometric) strides with both front and hind legs. Different styles of execution at varying levels of collection produce the Fino, Corto and Largo gait, all lateral four-beat movements.

In 1988 the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico approved a law to establish a Central Studbook allowing close and effective control over the registration process. Today there are approximately 8000 registered, pure-bred Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horses. More recently the four different breed organizations in Puerto Rico, the Asociación Nacional, the Federación del Deporte, the Asociación Insular de Criadores and the Cofraternidad de Criadores have joined in a newly formed alliance, the Alianza de Paso Fino de Puerto Rico.

Its objective is the coordination of all efforts made for the preservation and promotion of the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horse. Representing over 700 members, the new

organization will help to establish standards and guidelines for breeding, training, showing, judging and many other aspects of the Paso Fino Horse of Puerto Rico. In the United States, the aficionados and breeders of Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horses have formed the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Federation of America, Inc. Information for this article was provided by Mr. Eduardo A. Quijano Rivera, Mr. Aristides Hernández and Mr. Josef Pons. The best researched and most valuable source of information was the fascinating book “Breeding Better Paso Fino Horses” by Dr. Carlos Gaztambide Arrillaga, Ph.D. Photos from Francisco Rodríguez collection.

Note from the editor: This article was published by Conquistador Magazine in 1992. Please note that when the Alianza was formed, there were about 8,000 registered horses and about 700 active members. Actually, there are less than 2,500 horses registered in the island and about 160 active members.

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GENETICS

Analysis of Genetic Diversity in the Puerto Rico Paso Fino Dr. E. Gus Cothran Emeritus Professor Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science Texas A&M University

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he purpose of this study was to analyze genetic variability in the Puerto Rican Paso Fino in order to determine its conservation status and to understand its place in the history of the horse in the New World.

To start out I will give a little background. First, what is genetic diversity? Genetic diversity primarily refers to variation within the genetic make-up of an individual. It also is variation in genetic make-up among individuals within a population, genetic variation among different populations of a species, and genetic differences among species. For this work, I am focusing on individual and populational variation.

Why is Genetic Diversity Important? It gives individuals flexibility to respond to different environmental conditions, it increased disease resistance, it gives populations the ability to adapt to environmental changes over time (for domestic animals this also can mean the ability to make selective improvements to a breed), and it buffers against deleterious recessive genes.

What factors act to change genetic diversity? The number one factor is population size, the smaller the size the lower the diversity. Also, inbreeding reduces individual variation. Outcrossing increases diversity when different groups are crossed. Selection, which will usually decrease variation,

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is another factor as is mutation which increases variation but is unimportant over short time scales.

How do we measure diversity? Individual diversity is measured as Heterozygosity (Observed Ho) which is the proportion of the genome that varies within an individual.

The Inbreeding coefficient also is a measure of basically the same thing but on a theoretical level. Both these measures are independent of sample size. For estimating genetic diversity of a whole population or breed we again use Heterozygosity but it is Expected Heterozygosity (He) which is the average proportion of the genome that varies based upon population genetic theory. Another important measure is simply the number of variants observed in the population. These measures are correlated with sample size.

We determine these different measures by typing of genetic markers. A gene marker is a variable spot in the genome that we can test. The different forms the marker can take are called alleles. Each marker can have two possible alleles in an individual but many across the population. For an individual, if the alleles are the same, the marker is homozygous. If different, the marker is heterozygous. Heterozygosity is the proportion of markers out of all tested that are heterozygous. This can be calculated as the average of those actually observed as heterozygous (Ho) or by the predicted proportion based upon theory calculated from the frequency of each allele in the population (He).

Measures of genetic diversity for selected breeds.

Breed

N

Ho

He

Ae

ANDALUSIAN

52

0.722

0.753

4.26

ARABIAN 47 0.660 0.727 3.81 CLEVELAND BAY 504 0.566 0.608 2.85 FRIESIAN 304 0.545 0.539 2.56 IRISH DROUGHT 135 0.802 0.799 5.19 LIPPIZANNER 37 0.657 0.711 3.58 PUERTO RICAN PASO FINO 1

95

0.640

0.742

4.02

PUERTO RICAN PASO FINO 2

17

0.657

0.659

3.06

THOROUGHBRED 1195 0.734 0.726 3.92 Domestic Horse Average

75

0.706

0.718

3.99

Puerto Rican Paso Fino 1 - Horses sampled between 1992 and 2004, includes US animals.

Puerto Rican Paso Fino 2 - Horses received in March of 2007, all from Puerto Rico.

The results of the diversity analysis of the breed show that genetic diversity in the Puerto Rican Paso is slightly below the domestic horse mean but not seriously so. Allelic diversity is uninformative at this time due to sample size.

Earlier testing done with horses in the US appears to have sampled across populations with some differences (either other types of Paso or there are differences between the US mainland and Puerto Rican gene pools). Although current levels of genetic variation are not low, the population should be monitored due to the relatively low population size.

What can the Puerto Rican Paso Fino tell us about horses in the Americas? Equus caballus (the species of the domestic horse) originated in North America but was extinct in the Americas by about 10,000 years ago. Domestication of the horse occurred in Central Asia about 6,000 years ago and there also is evidence for a domestication center in the Iberian peninsula. The horse first returned to the

Americas with the second voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1493. The type of horse brought to the New World by the Spanish was a type known as the Jennet. This type of horse no longer exists in the Iberian Peninsula.

Comparison of allele frequencies can give measures of genetic resemblance. These are not true measures of ancestry but are approximations. Genetic similarity measure can be summarized by tree diagrams that give two dimensional representations of estimated relationships. The Puerto Rico Paso Fino clearly falls within the group of horses that are of Iberian ancestry, grouping with other Paso breeds. When only the Iberian breeds are analyzed the position is similar.

However, closes analysis (not shown here) also shows the Puerto Rico Paso Fino has closer affiliations with the Old World breeds than do other New World breeds and has relative strong resemblance to the Sorraia, a Portuguese breed that is believed to be much like the old Jennet horse.

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One final note regarding the study of the genetics of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino is that this breed has been important in studies of the ancestry of American Mustangs.

Because it is the North American breed that most resembles the horses that were brought to the Americas by the early Spanish, the presence of specific variants that are present in the Puerto Rico Paso Fino and some mustang herds but not in most North American breeds indicates that they likely have old Spanish horse ancestry.

My conclusions at this point are these. First, genetic diversity in the Puerto Rican Paso Fino is good but shows evidence that it is reduced so should be monitored. Also, the Puerto Rico Paso Fino appears to be clearly related to Old World Iberian horses and may be one of the closest representatives left of the type of horse the Spanish brought to the Americas 500 years ago.

... the Puerto Rico Paso Fino appears to be clearly related to Old World Iberian horses and may be one of the closest representatives left of the type of horse the Spanish brought to the Americas 500 years ago.

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GENETICS

An opinion on Dr. Gus Cothran’s article about the genetic diversity of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino Paola M. Matos Ruiz Paola Matos is a medical student based in Boston, MA and part of the Criadero Matos family located in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. She is a Paso Fino horse owner, enthusiast and a member of the Federación del Deporte de Caballos de Paso Fino de Puerto Rico.

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arly this year, I became aware of Dr. Gus Cothran’s article on the genetic diversity of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino, thanks to Romualdo Olazábal. An Emeritus Professor at the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Gus Cothran has dedicated most of his life to studying equine genetics with a deep interest in dissecting the pivotal genetic elements for the preservation of numerous equine breeds worldwide.

As a guest speaker at the University of Utuado in 2007, Dr. Cothran presented his findings on the “Analysis of Genetic Diversity in the Puerto Rico Paso Fino.” The purpose of the paper, as he stated, was to investigate “the conservation status of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino and its place in the history of the horse in the New World.” Moreover, in 2020 the Livestock Conservancy classified the Puerto Rican Paso Fino as endangered, given its low population size of approximately 3,000 horses (~500 in the United States and ~2,500

in Puerto Rico). Nonetheless, as Romualdo argues in the Editorial, 3,000 is most likely an overestimate. Through this opinion article, I intend to present my arguments regarding the conservation status of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino using

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my academic genetic background and knowledge as a Puerto Rican Paso Fino owner.

I firmly believe continuing to elucidate the genetic diversity of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino is an urgent matter to preserve our magnificent breed. First, what is genetic diversity? It is the scientific term used to describe the different versions of genes within a population of organisms, within an individual, or across multiple species. A gene can have numerous variations, which is what geneticists call alleles. It could be easier to think of a gene as a “string of letters” that codes for a particular function. Some genes have a letter code to give “instructions” to cells’ machinery to synthesize proteins. These proteins are expressed as phenotypic traits, such as hair color. With the exponential increase in DNA sequencing technologies and data analysis frameworks, it is not a myth some genes do not code for proteins and instead might act as regulatory sequences to control the expression of other protein-coding genes. There are different modes of inheritance, such as epigenetics. For this opinion piece, I will only focus on Mendelian genetics since epigenetic patterns of inheritance is a field within genetics that is still emerging.

Guamaní (Dulce Sueño x Cordoncillo Alazana) as a 3-years old colt at “La Tuna” farm, ridden by Eusebio Massó. Photo from Ramón Ortiz collection.

To conceptualize genetic diversity is essential to review how genes are inherited. The horse genome (Eqqus caballus) has roughly 20,322 protein-coding genes1. Upon conception, two copies of each gene are inherited; one comes from the mother and the other from the father. When there are large numbers of inbreeding, the gene copies inherited from the parents could have the same code (i.e., gene A copy1/ gene A copy 2: GTCTA/GTCTA); in genetics this is called homozygous. It is known as heterozygous (i.e., GTCTT/ GTATG) if they have different codes. If you have a gene with two copies coding for GCTAA/GCTAA, this same gene can have a code GCTAT/GCTAA or other code versions (i.e., alleles). It is the same gene but with a slightly different code. Studying the differences in the sequence of these letters is what geneticists coined as genetic diversity.

Genetics has taught us that some regions of genetic material are highly conserved across species. It has been observed in the scientific literature that these shared genetic regions across species (little to no change in the code) are crucial for organisms’ survival and fitness. Studies have shown that if you alter these conserved sequences of DNA, organisms may either not be viable for life or born diseased.

Scientists could leverage the other portions of genetic material that vary to a degree to establish differences across species, within species, and at the individual level. I cannot stress enough the importance of studying genetic diversity for conserving our beloved Paso Finos. Dissecting the breed’s genetic makeup will help us avoid crosses that would fix deleterious alleles or disease genes in the Puerto Rican Paso Fino genome that could attempt against its survival.

Undoubtedly, inbreeding is required to establish a breed.

High levels of inbreeding could be dangerous for species’ survival. For example, some breeders have reported issues with fertility in their dams and sires. It is hard to argue whether this issue is a product of high levels of inbreeding, given I do not have enough data points. Nevertheless, I think it could have some degree of influence given the trends seen in horses with “high” inbreeding rates in their pedigrees experiencing fertility problems. Inbreeding is a double-edged sword; it is required to establish a breed, but it can lead to its extinction. Now, what is the threshold that dictates threatening levels of inbreeding? This is precisely what Dr. Cothran aimed to address in his analysis.

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In 2007, Dr. Cothran ran an experiment where he measured levels of heterozygosity, a widely used metric to study genetic diversity, in the Puerto Rican Paso Fino and compared its results with other horse breed data to determine the conservation status of our breed. Heterozygosity quantifies the degree of genetic variation. Following the same analogy as aforementioned, genetic diversity assesses differences in the “string of letters” between organisms of the same species or across species. In this case, Dr. Cothran measured genetic variability across organisms of the same species (i.e., Eqqus caballus) but different breeds (i.e., Andalusian, Puerto Rican Paso Fino, Arabian, Cleveland Bay, etc.). The study included one sample from a Puerto Rican Paso Fino horse based on the mainland and two samples from Puerto Rican horses situated in Puerto Rico.

Although the experiment was performed using a small sample size of Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses, he noted the measures of genetic diversity were not extremely low when compared to the control group, the New World domestic horse. By comparing his results of heterozygosity to other breeds of horses and intertwining it with history, he also observed and stated: “The Puerto Rico Paso Fino appears to be clearly related to Old World Iberian horses and may be one of the closest representatives left of the type of horse the Spanish brought to the Americas 500 years ago.”

The study published in January 2022 by scientists affiliated to the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) entitled: “Genetic Diversity and Selection in the Puerto Rican horses” supports Dr. Cothran’s early observations in the breed on genetic diversity and its origin2. Dr. Cothran’s remarks and the study from the UPRM scientists strongly support what history has always taught us about the genesis of the Paso Fino horse breed: it is a breed of horses authentic from Puerto Rico that emerged from the Iberian horses brought to the Americas more than 500 years ago by the Spaniards.

From history, we know Paso Finos were brought to the United States in the 1960-1970s by military families stationed at the Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. It has

been a relatively long time since this pool of horses emigrated to the states. Additionally, the breeders on the mainland love the Paso Finos because of their versatility in competing in General Conditions events (Condiciones Generales is 28

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Batalla (Dulce Sueño x Felipa) at “La Australia” farm in Lajas, PR. Photo from Francisco Rodríguez collection.

an old class in PR shows) and Classic Fino competitions.

As Romualdo highlighted in the Editorial, breeders of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino on the east coast focus on breeding Paso Finos for both pleasure purposes and Classic Fino competitions. As a result, the east coast breeders imported a few horses from Puerto Rico that exhibited the Classic Fino gait after the military families brought Paso Finos to the states. On the west coast, the story is different. Paso Finos are primarily bred and selected for pleasure and work purposes. On the west coast, the bloodlines that predominate are the ones brought by the military families in the 19601970s. Since the mainland is a vast territory, it allows for differences to accumulate if the breeders do not intentionally try to breed across these populations.

In contrast, most breeders in Puerto Rico have focused

their efforts on selecting horses for Classic Fino competitions. Unlike the US, Puerto Rico breeders and organizations (Federación, Asociación Nacional, Asociación Insular, and Feria Dulce Sueño) have gravitated away from General

Conditions events and placed more emphasis on judging the gait on Classic Fino events at the expense of putting less emphasis on the phenotype. From my perspective, deprioritizing good body conformation has placed a toll on the typical phenotypic elegance of Paso Finos in Puerto Rico and even its gait. It is my opinion that a decent amount of Paso Finos I have witnessed in various competition arenas in Puerto Rico have lost naturalness and look “robotic” in their mechanic. I have not attended shows on the mainland.

Therefore, I am limited on what I can comment regarding the Paso Fino competitions on the mainland. In general, to be more consistent with breeding average to extraordinary horses, I believe breeders and entities should emphasize the importance of good body conformation to craft the “whole-package” horse—for example, a car with wheels that are not well aligned and balanced feels bumpy on the road.

The same concept applies to our Paso Finos. A horse with deficiencies in its conformation might not provide riders with the emblematic comfortable Paso Fino gait.

Interestingly, I attended the Dulce Sueño Fair, celebrated in Guayama, PR, last month (May 21st-22nd). For the first time in many years, the Dulce Sueño Fair committee hosted a General Conditions event at the fair. Only two stallions participated: Concierto D’ Sol (Sueño de Paz x Sara de Plebeyo) and Galería Real (Réplica de Majestuoso x Moraleja de Cuentas Claras). Both stallions had great body contours by the standards of the breed and the typical 4-beat lateral smooth gait. Galería Real is a former Classic Fino Champion and Grand Champion of Bellas Formas. Galería belongs to the legendary Roig family. Concierto D’ Sol owned by Luis Bolívar and bred proudly by the head of Casta Puro Paso Finos de Puerto Rico, Ms. Viveca Venegas Vilaró, was the winner. Concierto D’ Sol also competed in two additional events: Classic Fino-Class B Adult Stallions and Bellas Formas, obtaining third place and the Championship, respectively. The accomplishments of these stallions speak very highly about their versatility. Both stallions descend from Réplica de Majestuoso, a former Grand Champion Classic Fino and Grand Champion of Bellas Formas. For the best interests of the breed, I hope the organizations in

land. Despite some differences, both populations of horses exhibit the characteristic smooth 4-beat lateral gait of a Paso Fino. However, the somewhat different perspectives among breeders could have imprinted genetic differences among individuals of the same breed. To be clear, I am not claiming they are different breeds. Genetically speaking, you could have genetic variations among individuals of the same breed for many reasons. I hypothesize the differences might be due to the geographic separation and the low breeding rates between the horses on the mainland and the island. I also believe there could be three populations of Paso Finos, given the low breeding rates among the horses located on the west and east coast of the US. It would be interesting to test whether there are well-demarcated differences at the genetic level between the populations of Paso Finos in the mainland and Puerto Rico. My best judgment is that there might be differences, but this needs to be proven scientifically.

In Dr. Cothran’s paper, he hypothesizes there could be differences in the gene pools between the Paso Finos in the mainland and Puerto Rico. Dr. Carlos Gaztambide Arrillaga, in his book “Breeding Better Paso Fino Horses”, explained there are two morphological types within the breed.

View direct citation from his book:

Puerto Rico continue hosting these events in their Classic Fino shows and underline the importance of Bellas Formas.

Very little breeding has happened between the Paso Finos based in Puerto Rico and the ones on the main-

Guamaní with his owner Társilo “Silito” Godreau in his Salinas, PR, farm.

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“The Guamaní family differs from the Batalla family in type and performance. Guamaní was of the Andalusian type, that is lengthy, stretchy, tall, more or less rounded, with great beauty and charm. The Batalla type was more of the Barb, angular and sinewy with little muscling and somewhat light in build.

Both were beautiful and with great elegance and poise. Both were of the greatest and most influential.” (See images.)

The phenotypic differences between these two types might help us understand the genetic variations Dr. Cothran observed between the two populations. On the island, the Berber type predominates (due to the high blood concentration from the stallion Batalla), while the Andalusian type abounds in the United States. As Romualdo alludes in the Editorial, given the fact that some bloodlines in the mainland are extinct in Puerto Rico, the information gathered from the research could help lighten the breed’s preservation efforts and assist breeders in the mainland and Puerto Rico in making more informative and responsible decisions regarding breeding and restoring bloodlines.

Based on Dr. Cothran’s observations and the UPRM study findings, the genetic variability of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino is not alarmingly low. These are excellent news for our breed! However, I agree with Dr. Cothran’s arguments from 2007 about the relatively low population size that is placing the breed as endangered by The Livestock Conservancy. Although we are not in a high-stakes position regarding genetic variability, it seems we should work together to continue monitoring the levels of genetic diversity and inbreeding to prevent the extinction of our breed.

In the meantime, how could we collaborate to continue preserving the Puerto Rican Paso Fino? Here are some suggestions: 1. Reach out to scientists studying equine genetics – Follow @proyectoequinopr on Instagram. Dr. Alondra Díaz, an Assistant Professor at the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez, is following up on the work from the study published in January 2022.

2. Contact breeders in Puerto Rico and the mainland that have different bloodlines as yours and arrange crosses.

3. If you can, donate money to scientists – These studies are costly. Sometimes funding from federal agencies could be a limiting factor.

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Batalla, ridden by his owner José V. Ramírez Acosta, receiving the first-place trophy in a 1944 show.

P.S. I am grateful to have reconnected with Dr. Gus Cothran. He kindly agreed to meet virtually and chat about the breed’s future. Xiomara Arias and I will be meeting with Dr. Gus Conthran very soon to learn more about his perspective on the conservation status of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino and how we could assist in these efforts. I am optimistic that the meeting with Dr. Conthran, an equine genetics expert, will be productive for our efforts to preserve the breed we all deeply love with passion. Stay tuned for the next edition!

References: 1 Wade CM, Giulotto E, Sigurdsson S, Zoli M, Gnerre S, Imsland F, Lear TL, Adelson DL, Bailey E, Bellone RR, Blöcker H, Distl O, Edgar RC, Garber M, Leeb T, Mauceli E, MacLeod JN, Penedo MC, Raison JM, Sharpe T, Vogel J, Andersson L, Antczak DF, Biagi T, Binns MM, Chowdhary BP, Coleman SJ, Della Valle G, Fryc S, Guérin G, Hasegawa T, Hill EW, Jurka J, Kiialainen A, Lindgren G, Liu J, Magnani E, Mickelson JR, Murray J, Nergadze SG, Onofrio R, Pedroni S, Piras MF, Raudsepp T, Rocchi M, Røed KH, Ryder OA, Searle S, Skow L, Swinburne JE, Syvänen AC, Tozaki T, Valberg SJ, Vaudin M, White JR, Zody MC; Broad Institute Genome Sequencing Platform; Broad Institute Whole Genome Assembly Team, Lander ES, Lindblad-Toh K. Genome sequence, comparative analysis, and population genetics of the domestic horse. Science. 2009 Nov 6;326(5954):865-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1178158. PMID: 19892987; PMCID: PMC3785132.

2 Wolfsberger, W.W., Ayala, N.M., Castro-Marquez, S.O., Irizarry-Negron, Shchubelka, K., Potish, L., Majeske, A.J., Figueroa Oliver, L., Díaz Lameiro, A., Martínez-Cruzado, J.C., Lindgren, G., Oleksyk, T.K. Genetic diversity and selection in Puerto Rican horses. Sci Rep 12, 515 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-04537-5

What is a Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino?

The name “Paso Fino” was coined in Puerto Rico, the country of origin of the Fine Step/Gait (Paso Fino). Thus, the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino is named for its unique and comfortable gait which is a natural result of its genetic heritage.

What is so special about the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino’s gait?

makes it simple for the Puerto Rican Paso Fino to remain in its isochronal even around tight turns and over the full range of speeds. The gait is natural. It cannot be taught. It is the result of the unique conformation of the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino.

How long can they maintain their gait?

Everything!!! The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino is treasured for its soft, delicate, 4-beat natural isochronal gait.

The breed IS the gait.

Indefinitely! The isochronal gait is natural and easy for the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horse. It can maintain a corto for hours at a time, making them an ideal endurance horse.

What are the gaits of the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino?

Aren’t Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino’s just show horses?

The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino performs the Paso Fino gait at a large range of speed. The 4-beat isochronal gait ensures the ultimate smoothness for the rider. The range of gait will vary with every horse, given their conformation and innate ability. Some horses have more range than others. Some horses are naturally more collected and they can execute their gait with very minimal forward movement. These are our prized show horses! Other horses may have a more natural tendency to have a more extended gait. These horses can keep up with the best! Some horses can maintain gait at up to 35 mph! Some horses can just do it all!

No! Don’t let their relatively small size (13.2-15.2 HH) fool you. These horses are the descendants of the horses that were brought to the Americas by the Conquistadors back in the 1500s. From those extraordinary hardy horses, the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino gets its strength, stamina, fine legs with good bone, and a willing and sensible temperament. A great horse as well as a comfortable ride!

What does isochronal mean?

Isochronal means equal time. Each of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino’s feet is set down at equal time intervals. Thus, it is neither lateral (pace) nor diagonal (trot). Isochronal yields the smoothest gait due to the equal time spent on the lateral as well as the diagonal. There are other 4-beat gaits (trocha, fox trot, etc.) but the roughness is transmitted to the rider as the gait moves away from the ideal Paso Fino gait. In addition, the PR Paso Fino always has 2 or 3 feet on the ground when in motion. This not only cushions the ride, but also

How do you train a Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino to gait?

You don’t! The Paso Fino’s gait is natural. Foals are often seen performing a soft corto next to their mothers.

Where can I get one?

The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino’s are relatively rare.

However, you can find a few breeders across the US and PR. Just remember that you want the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Horse!

From the North Atlantic Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Organization website: https://www.purepuertoricanpasofino.org/home.htm Drawing of Kofresí courtesy of Jo-Ann Ferré Crossley and Arsdelicata: http://www.arsdelicata.com

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HISTORY

The History and Origins are important to know and preserve...

Denisse Cancel Denisse Cancel is the senior Operations Manager for the University of Florida’s Animal Care Services department for the Office of Research. She is on the Board and Historical Committee of the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Federation of America, Inc., and owns three Paso Finos under the banner of D’Mi Borinquen Paso Finos residing in Micanopy, Florida.

Welcome back readers of Born to Gait so glad that you are here, I want to share with you some of the original imports from Puerto Rico and their families that influenced the breed and sport stateside. There would not be a Paso Fino breed or sport in the USA without the first association with a registry: The American Paso Fino Horse Association (circa 1964). For the first 20 years, (1940’s to 1960’s) it was the American service members stationed in Puerto Rico that fell in love with the smooth riding island horse the Paso Fino and brought them stateside. The service members and their families admired the breed for it was unlike anything they had seen or ridden prior or had back home so when it was time to head home, they took some of their beloved horses with them. The American Paso Fino Horse Association or APF as its commonly called, paved the way and even today has an important role in preserving original lines and important characteristics of the breed. APF does have other Paso horses in its registry and just like its name it emphasizes the American Paso Fino Horse which is a blend of the different Paso breeds, but we will focus on the first and original Paso breed the Paso Fino of Puerto Rico which were the first ones registered.

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APF has a beautiful crest for its logo designed by Earl J Hemphill and Edward Bierly with input from its founders and speaks to their commitment and vision they had. The crest has a center shield (symbol of protection) that bears the proud name of the breed. The red, white and blue stars represent the American aspect of the association. The sugar cane blossoms show the ties to Puerto Rico (known for its sugar plantations). Above the center shield, a silhouette of a Paso Fino horse in motion demonstrating its emblematic stylish gait completes the design.

The Mission of APF is to protect and maintain the integrity of the original American Paso Fino Pleasure Horse Association, the registry and natural attributes of the Paso Fino Horse. The Paso Fino should be pleasing to the eye with abundant mane and tail, full bodied with balanced movement. Typically, 13.3 to 14.2 hands high though have a range of 13 to 15.2 hands high and full growth is achieved by their 5th year. The horse is known for its gentleness at

Brita Conchita, Nina La Gorda and Brown Claro

hand and “Brío” (spirit) under saddle. Short ears, expressive eyes, medium length neck, angled to permit a high carriage that arches with grace and nobility. Sloping shoulders with depth through the heart and with noticeable wide chest with slightly defined withers. Strong, straight and muscular back with varied length, with sloping well rounded croup with a low set tail that extends when in motion. APF was originally stationed in Pennsylvania but today the Association is currently led by a board of Directors that includes Irene Claypool, Harold Daniels, Stefanie Schermerhorn and Traci Adler-Miller, and has a larger scope of North America.

They can be contacted at administrator@americanpasofino. com and their website is americanpasofino.com.

Rosie MacWilliam was a founding member and registrar for APF and later PFHA. Rosie had intimate knowledge of most of the Puerto Rican horses brought stateside, she and her husband James MacWilliam Jr. imported several exceptional mares. They imported APF44 Brita Conchita (Batalla X Salinas), APF45 Nina La Gorda (Faraón Jr. x Princesa), and APF46 Brown Claro (Mejorana X Dulzura) that they purchased from Don José B. Ramírez Acosta and Don Mario Mercado, well known breeders in Puerto Rico.

Faetón LaCe

Casa Blanca (APF 161 PR)

Corito or “Old” Corito as some people knew him

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Rosalie was also instrumental in promoting and getting others to take interest in the breed. During her trips to the island, she selected horses for new owners at their request and arranged to ship them. Another original member, Kenneth Ziegler, read an article written by Rosie about the Paso Fino in Western Horseman magazine and contacted her so on one of her trips to the island she could select some horses for him. Thanks to Rosie’s keen eye, she selected the stallion APF117 Oasis (Batalla x Brita Conchita) and the mares one with foal by her side APF222 San Lorenzo (Retador x Aguila) and pregnant APF221 Armonía (Principe Jr. x La 58) and one other mare were brought for Mr. Ziegler, he later imported several others and maintained a herd of 2530 horses. Oasis was 1969 APF stallion of the year siring 27 offspring. The fillies of San Lorenzo and Armonía were later purchased by Dr. Carolyn Zeigler and her husband, and they then purchased one of the PFHA foundation sires

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Faetón LaCe which they crossed to start their own herd.

Major Luther D Worley and his family lived in Ramey Air Force Base where they fell in love with the horses. A finance officer he quickly recognized that the calm noble horse with the smoothest ride in the world was something he and his family enjoyed and could make a profit. He was a member of the original Paso Fino Pleasure Horse Association, the precursor to APF. He brought with him eight horses when he moved to Florida to start a breeding station.

The Major enjoyed riding his chestnut stallion Rayito (Batalla X Estrella) which he renamed Triunfo (APF142), this was his herd sire and he produced over 30 offspring in Florida. This herd was instrumental in introducing the Paso Fino to the Florida equestrian community. One of his mares APF143 Riosa (Wahoo X Bonita) produced over 13 offspring. They came from across the USA to see the Paso Finos.

Rosie and Major Worley were just the beginning, their horses and love for the horse inspired many others to join in the sport and spread the word of “The Smoothest Ride” and “The Horse with the Fine Step”. Some of the other promoters were Fred Green, Leroy Thompson and Harry Merrill, James Hayes and George LaHood Jr. to name a few.

I hope you enjoy the read and the step back in time with the pictures which have been shared over the years from families and from the APF archive when Kenneth Utz was overseeing it. It is important to share and remember the origins so the ideal and breed stay true to its standard for many decades to come. Until next time...

Top row, left to right: Rayito/Triunfo (APF142PR), Riosa (APF143PR), Okichi (APF162PR), Ambar (APF384PR), APF80PR. Bottom row, left to right: Carlitos, APF79PR, Brita Conchita (APF44PR), Brown

Oasis “Z” (APF 117 PR)

Claro (APF46PR), Nina La Gorda (APF45PR).

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REFLECTIONS AT 4-BEATS

Conservation: A vital mission for us all Xiomara Arias Xiomara Arias is an undergraduate student at The University of Kentucky majoring in Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology. Along with her parents, she cares for three Puerto Rican Paso Finos at their farm Hacienda Borikén in the rolling hills of Kentucky.

She enjoys showing and promoting the Puerto Rican Paso Fino breed.

T

he Phoenix is a mystical bird of legend that, upon old age, bursts into flames, renews itself, and rises from the ashes in a stronger and more exquisite form. Like the Phoenix, the glory days of the Paso Fino are seemingly coming to a close when considering its endangerment.

However, through our efforts, the glory of the breed can show its face again. In order to save the breed, we must cooperate with each other by working together, sharing information and ideas, and working towards the betterment of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino. We all have our parts to play.

to realize the differences and recognize that the breeds are separate. Why? The Caballo Criollo Colombiano and the American Paso (a mix of the Caballo Criollo Colombiano and Puerto Rican Paso Fino) are not endangered. However, Puerto Rican Paso Finos fit into the Livestock Conservancy’s threatened range with less than 3,000 Puerto Rican Paso Finos left in the world. No one argues that Appaloosas and Quarter Horses are not the exact same breed. While they may come from the same beginning stock (similar to how Pasos came from Spanish stock), they are separate breeds with their own unique and important qualities.

Puerto Rican Paso Finos are a unique breed of horse.

While they share similarities with the Caballo Criollo Colombiano (also known as the Colombian Paso) and the Peruvian Paso, there are differences that set them apart.

Every knowledgeable paso trainer I have ever met has told me there is a difference in composition between the breeds.

On top of opinion, Puerto Rican Paso Finos are the only horse breed to carry “ojo de cabro” directly translated as goat eyes, but known in the United States as tiger eyes, an amber eye color. Other aspects such as conformation, disposition, and way of going all vary among the breeds. It is important

We often associate the terms endangerment and conservation with wild, undomesticated animals such as tigers and rhinos. However, domesticated animals can also be at risk of extinction. Furthermore, domesticated animals are just as important as wildlife for the roles they play in biodiversity and ecosystem health. Having genetic diversity in a species is essential to ensuring a species’ survival. Given the few breeds which have a gait similar to the Puerto Rican Paso Fino, conservation is a topic of great importance. Furthermore, the unique aspects of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino further deepen the consequences of losing the breed.

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Xiomara Arias on Omega de Pride and William Arias on Capitán de Boriken at a 4-H trail ride event.

“Leave the world a better place than you found it.” I am sure you are familiar with this statement or one similar.

Most humans feel an innate desire to prepare the world for their children and let their offspring have good experiences. Conservation of culture is a derivative of this instinct.

Horses have been treasured, celebrated, and remembered in major civilizations throughout history. The Greeks had the Trojan horse and Pegasus as symbols in their history, Alexander the Great had his grand steed Bucephalus, the Nez Perce Native Americans took pride in breeding their spotted horses, Roy Rodgers had Trigger, and racing underdogs now have Rich Strike. This is not an exhaustive list. Just like how these equines are instrumental to history, Puerto Rican Pasos Finos are a part of Puerto Rican culture and heritage.

I love to hear stories of my father and the Puerto Rican horses he owned as a child. One such story I am fond of is him riding his horses up to the mountains of Puerto Rico and picking fruit to sell. I am extremely fond of the fruits of Puerto Rico. Passion fruit, mango, avocado, quenepas ... but I am getting off track. However, the scene painted in his recounts is peaceful and beautiful. Each time I have been to Puerto Rico I can recall being surrounded by the gorgeous

horses of the island. When I was young(er), we rode my cousin’s Paso Finos in Salinas. Another time I was given the honor of riding a true Fino mare at a friend’s farm in the mountains. In my mind, the Island would not be complete without its horses. My father has been able to conserve his favorite memories and pass down the opportunity for me to create my own with the Paso Fino. I hope to help conserve the breed so that my children can witness these horses and possess their own memories of the unique Paso Fino. The Puerto Rican Paso Fino is an integral part to Puerto Rico and losing the breed would be losing a part of the island’s heritage and culture.

How, you may ask, does this apply to you? I hope, if you are reading this article, you have some interest in the breed. While I wish to conserve the breed for cultural reasons, you may simply be conservation-minded, or just interested in a good ride. Regardless of your reasons for helping save the breed, your support will make all the difference. So, how can you do anything to make a difference? Everyone has a role to play in conservation.

If you have the facilities, owning Puerto Rican Paso

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the breed by telling and educating others is one of the main ways everyone can assist. By educating others, there is a further chance that someone will be encouraged to discover the breed and enjoy all the Puerto Rican Paso Fino has to offer.

William and Embajadora de Krysia prepare to show while Xiomara pins on their show number.

Finos is an excellent way to conserve the breed, whether you have a mare, stallion, or gelding. The versatility of the breed allows owners to ensure they are not being locked into just one discipline. Trail riding, rodeo events, showing, endurance, and even jumping are all possibilities for these horses. Once you have a Paso Fino, train your horse well.

Having well trained horses to be ambassadors of the breed is one of the most useful ways you can help the cause. Next, with your well-trained horse, exhibit them. Be creative with how you exhibit your horses! Trail riding, all-breed or local showing, endurance rides, county or state parades, and other similar opportunities are fantastic ways to get the breed known. Most importantly, talk. If someone asks about what breed of horse you have, let them know! Tell them the Puerto Rican Paso Fino is endangered. If they are confused due to the Colombian or American Pasos, explain the difference. Talking about and promoting the breed is crucial to saving the breed. For example, my dad and I have taken a gig with a company associated with Walmart, Jet.com, as they were opening a new location. We used Capitan (one of our geldings) as their branch’s mascot, a stallion (shhh, they didn’t know the difference, or didn’t care!). As well as being an enriching experience for Capitan, it was an excellent opportunity to discuss the breed as people asked about him.

Another opportunity was our county school’s petting zoo day. Once again, Capitan was our star and allowed kids to pet him. As part of the petting zoo, we were told to discuss horses and share a few facts. Of course, we let the kids know this was a PUERTO RICAN Paso Fino! On top of these opportunities, we trail ride and show, always taking the time to discuss our breed when asked. Even if you do not own horses, you can talk about them. Advocating for

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If you can take it a step further, thoughtful and considerate breeding is another conservation opportunity.

Owning and breeding these horses retains and creates a larger market, which in turn will protect the presence of the breed. Breeders must ensure they are not breeding just to create more foals but making educated decisions that point towards conservation and better the breed. There is an art to every craft, and horse breeding is no different. Elements such as conformation, genetic diseases, temperament/disposition, and breed type combine to create a horse. All focus should be on a healthy horse with a pure gait. However, when I say gait, I don’t mean just fino.

There are multiple gaits the Paso Fino breed possesses. Fino, corto, largo. If a Paso Fino exhibits Fino well, it is a pride of the breed, as I am sure you would agree. If the horse does not fino, but has a corto or largo that calls to

Young William Arias enjoying one of his favorite pastimes- horse riding!

cate the Puerto Rican Paso Fino from the claws of obscurity.

I have a firm conviction that I must do my part to save the breed. Whether it is talking to someone about my horses, having a small breeding operation, or writing this article, my intent is purely for the health and continuation of this great breed. I hope you found even the slightest bit of inspiration in this article. I write this article not from a podium, but from where we both stand in conversation. I am ever updating my ideas and thoughts about the breed. As iron sharpens iron, conversations must be held to develop the future of the breed. Even if your tactics and ideas are different, I hope you will join me in conserving the Puerto Rican Paso Fino.

Older William Arias enjoying one of his favorite pastimes. Same style as 30 years ago: Jeans and Plaid!

mind the rhythm of melodious drums, it is also a pride of the breed. Let’s examine Omega, my horse. His father is a handsome fino horse, his mother produced outstanding fino offspring, and his full brother is an elegant fino champion.

My horse has a smooth corto that would be the pride of every hacienda owner traveling from farm to farm. His walk is filled with purpose and pride. His largo is powerful and full of rhythm that would make any drummer jealous. But he does not fino. Yet, I would not take him any other way. He has his purpose, just as a fino horse does. Not every horse is suited to trail riding, showing, and fun runs, but Omega can do it all. He is the definition of versatility. Fino horses are like racecars. They are for some to drive, and some to watch. They are stunning for show and demonstrate the best technology we have in vehicle speed. Pleasure horses are like the good ol’ pickup trucks or the old Camry that never fails. Anyone can drive them, and they will get you anywhere you need. They aren’t as flashy, but they are crucial to day-to-day life. Both parts of the breed – both the fino and the pleasure horses – must be conserved. Like yin and yang, we cannot lose either side. Both are a part of the heritage and history of the breed, and both have their uses. Both must be conserved.

I can’t pretend to know a first thing about conservation tactics. I am simply a youth who is trying to gain more knowledge about the breed and work with others to extri-

Xiomara Arias exhibiting Capitán de Boriken as the mascot for the Jet.com location opening.

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News from New York The National Puerto Rican Day Parade takes place along Fifth Avenue in New York. In 1977, six Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses were paraded in front of hundreds of thousands of people.

That was the first and only time our breed has been showcased in this scenery. The horses were Farouk, Porta Coelli, Danubio, Cosaco, Sandro and Mambrú.

This year, on the 65th Anniversary of the Parade, the Puerto Rican Paso Fino was, in a way, again part of the celebration. Jesús Omar Rivera, publicly known as “Boricuazo”, was given the “Orgullo Puertorriqueño” (Puerto Rican Pride) award. He used his time in New York to be the spokesperson for the native horse breed from Puerto Rico and the compelling message of its status as an endangered breed.

500 years of evolution, identified as a breed since the 18th century, genetically unique ... today the Paso Fino Horse Breed of Puerto Rico is endangered. Help us save it!

With this phrase, printed in handouts, Boricuazo summarized the history of a breed that, despite everything it has endured, is still alive and continues to fight for its survival. In his public presentations, he invited everyone to join efforts to save it.

A big thumbs up to Boricuazo for his help and support in conserving Puerto Rican Paso Fino!

News from South Carolina This beautiful filly is Plebeyo de Pride’s firstborn out of La Reina de Pride. Plebeyo is by Boricua (Plebeyo x Suleyka) out of Magia de Réplica (Réplica de Majestuoso x Magia Negra de Toro Negro); and La Reina is by Consuelte (Conduende x La Deseada) out of Sundown Girl (Alicante x Concertina Mako). With such a regal pedigree, this filly promises to live up to Palmetto Pride’s tradition of excellence.

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New from Texas Príncipe Soberano, owned by Rafael and Margarita Balasquide, is by Principe Rubio out of Profetisa, a daughter of Batalla de Yahuba. This colt was imported in utero and carries the bloodline of two of the most promising young stallions on the island.

Flor de Allegretto is finally here! This most awaited filly is linebred to Alicante/ Toñita line and represents Ramón Bodón effort to conserve this important line. Flor de Allegretto is the last offspring of Allegretto Royal out of Nequita de Paces. Look at those beautiful “tiger eyes”!

News from Kentucky Here in Kentucky, Hacienda Boriken is keeping busy!

Embajadora de Krysia (Doble Réplica del Caribe x Lombardía de Krysia) is continuing training in Virginia at Hacienda Radiante.

Omega de Pride (San Mateo Mako x Herencia de Kofregrama) and Capitán de Boriken (Mago de Pride x La Rubia Peligrosa de Pride) were ambassadors for the breed at a recent local get-together.

Xiomara Arias and Omega de Pride continue to show at Pioneer Saddle Club, and had their picture featured in the local newspaper which ran an article on the Club.

You can share your news writing to editor.borntogait@gmail.com

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New from Florida

Sublime de Jael, a foal imported in utero, is a son of Marical III out of Esperanza del Desierto (Barbarisco). Sublime is proudly owned by Carlos Rosado from Ocala.

Diseño Taino D’Mi Borinquen (Mago de Pride x Aroma de las Magnolias) will be 4 years old on August 30th and is still in training at Cedar Lane Stables, under the trusted hands of Shaw Laney.

This section is yours! Send one or two high-resolution photos to editor.borntogait@gmail.com with a short paragraph. Please, only PPR Paso Fino horses living in the continental United States and Canada.

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PASO FINO

The sport of Paso Fino horses is autochthonous from Puerto Rico and has its origins dating back to the fifteenth century. It consists of the union between rider and horse into one elegant entity competing in form, pace, and gait. It evolved matching the topography of the island, which is mountainous over short distances. The horses developed were of medium-size build, with well-defined muscles and a wide chest allowing for a fine-paced ride with elastic, smooth high-stepping. This “fine-paced,” short, quick, and rhythmic movement led to the name of the sport and horses.

In past centuries owners of Paso Fino horses sent their pride mounts to the capital of San Juan during the festival of the patron saint to participate in “Las Carrera de San Juan” (the race of San Juan). At one time Paso Fino races were prohibited by the Spanish governor at the request of the bishop of the Catholic Church because competition tended to end late at night with extensive parties. The sport continued clandestinely in the haciendas of wealthy owners who loved the Paso Fino.

In 1943 the Asociación de Dueños de Caballos de Silla was organized, and their first formal competition was held in the Las Monjas racetrack in Santurce. At this time these tracks were used for both horse racing and other sports like track and field and Paso Fino. The Horse Show Association of the United State recognized this first Paso Fino organization in 1944. Twenty years later the entity was transformed into the Federación del Deporte de Paso Fino. The sports organization has had an official autonomy ever since, evolving with different identities. Paso Fino competitions are divided into three main events: Beautiful Forms, Fine Pace, and Gait (“Andadura”). Some of the notable horses include the famous Dulce Sueño, a champion in Paso Fino in 1948 and sire of twenty of the first twenty-three champions; Cibuco, the champion of the Beautiful Form event seven times; and Canela, who in 1975 won the highest titles of Paso Fino and Beautiful Forms for the fourth time.

The sport has extended to other countries in the

Americas, including some states in the United States. It was declared the national sport of Puerto Rico by the Olympic Committee and the governmental sports authority in 1966.

In the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, of the same year, Paso Fino was presented as an exhibition and impressed the CAC leadership as the most beautiful show ever presented of a national sport.

As a sport of elegance and tradition it continues today to be a source of national pride to owners, breeders, trainers, riders, spectators, and the people of Puerto Rico.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: Emilio E. Huyke, “Paso Fino,” Colecciones Puertorriqueñas, Los Deportes en Puerto Rico (1968), 362-366; Jaime Varas, “Paso Fino,” La Gran Encicopedia de Puerto Rico, Tomo 11, El Deporte en Puerto Rico (1976), 253- 262.

Raúl Mayo-Santana Encyclopedia of Ethnicity and Sports in the United States George B. Kirsch, Othello Harris, Claire Elaine Nolte Page 353. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000 ISBN:0313299110,9780313299117.

Note from the editor: The horse Dulce Sueño mentioned in the article is Dulce Sueño II, grandson of Dulce Sueño the “father of the modern breed”. The old Dulce Sueño was never shown since he was born in the early 1920’s and died in 1941, two years before the sport officially started in 1943. He was the sire of twenty of the first twenty-three champions.

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Owners’ directory ALABAMA Barbara Thompson Montgomery, AL T.

Cindy & Brent Forehand Paces Creek Stables Monticello, FL T. 850-661-7777 E. bcforehand@gmail.com

E.

Edgardo Fullana

CALIFORNIA William Sanders Baroque Dressage __, CA T. E.

COLORADO Eric Aurelius Testori Englewood, CO T. E. 1_cipo@yahoo.com

FLORIDA Ann Shirley Ashley Benifay, FL T. 801-622-3237 E. Penny Bollhorst Mayo, FL

Pedro Burgos Castadero Villa Burgos Tallahassee, FL T. 787-244-0832 E. pfg2121@yahoo.com Denisse Cancel D’Mi Borinquen Paso Fino Micanopy, Florida T. 352-246-9983 E. denissecancel@hotmail.com

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Karl Nussbaum Dreamalot Scottsburg, IN T. E.

Palm City, Florida T. 561-797-8052 E. fullanae@hotmail.com Barbara Preiss

KENTUCKY William & Teresa Arias Hacienda Boriken

Weirsdale, FL

Salivisa, KY

T. 352-821-1300

T. 904-233-0092

E. cwpreiss@aol.com

E. william@ariasonline.net

Carlos Rosado Hacienda RB

Xiomara Arias Hacienda Boriken

Ocala Florida

Salivisa, KY

T.

T. 904-233-0092

E. wen_bur@yahoo.com

E. xio@ariasonline.net

Ruth L. Thompson Raison Dunnellon, FL

MICHIGAN

T. 740-935-5252

Rosie Spagnuolo Bickert Gentle HoofBeats Paso Finos

E. ruth@raisongroup.com James Zeno Finca La Charca

DeWitt, Michigan T. 517-490-7712

Morriston, FL

E. bickertr@msu.edu

T. 845-522-3361

www.gentlehoofbeats.com

E. civillawcasemanagement@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/rosiebickert

T. 540-493-6423 E. pennyb@sitstar.net

INDIANA

GEORGIA Rufino Figueroa Toccoa, GA T. 706-244-1294 E. rufinofigueroa@icloud.com LuAnn Lackey Ellijay, GA

Debra Sandusky Adrian, MI T. E. Karen Timberman Waldron, MI T. E. timberidgekb@gmail.com

T. 706-636-1682 E. llackey@ellijay.com Rence Slappy

MINNESOTA Víctor Rivera

Fortson, GA

Eden Pairie, MN

T. 706-505-5217

T. 952-835-5665

E. arslappy@gmail.com

E. cucourivera@hotmail.com

Owners’ directory MISSISSIPPI

NEW JERSEY

Janet J. Brown

William & Mildred López Criadero López Paso Finos

Meridian, MS T. 601-917-4700

Vineland, NJ

E. giddyupgogo11@yahoo.com

T. 856-794-8843

Bonnie Cannon Shannonwood Farm Wiggins, MS T. 601-928-9777 E. luvselah@gmail.com

MISSOURI Jesse & Tabitha Dillanhay Lockwood, MO T. 417-861-4523 E. Tracy Hernández Buckeye Ridge Lockwood, MO T. 417-861-0303 E. pfrider@earthlink.net Lauren Hill Sarcoxie, MO T. 417-338-9374 E. John & Cassandra Kline

E.

NEW YORK Louie Giorgi Mt. Pisgah Paso Finos

E. theoneacrewood@comcast.net David & Millie Holderread Blue Bird Paradise Paso Finos

E. mtnxtreme@gmail.com

E. smoothride@bluebirdpasofinos.com www.bluebirdpasofinos.com

OKLAHOMA Tonia Colburn Cuatro Beat Pasos Muskogee, Oklahoma T. 918-441-9902 T. 918-781-9901 E. cuatrobeat@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/Cuatro-Beat-PasoFino-Horses-1508319659481832

OREGON Janice Chipman Aurora, OR

Peg Cornell Corvallis, OR T. 541-754-3984

T.

E. rob.cornell@comcast.net

Wilmot, NH

Gaston, OR

T. 541-929-5338

Wentzville, MO

Cheryl Watson

Turk & Debbie Gravley

Corvallis, OR

E.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

E. vonszel@gmail.com

T. 845-532-3535

T. 417-335-1428

E. ron501@swbell.net

T. 503-830-7520

New Kingston, NY

T. 503-983-8702

Ronald Palmer

Terrebonne, OR

T. 503-929-7161

Kissee Mills, MO E. jckline123@gmail.com

Robert & Ann Graham

Joshua Dallman Eugene, OR T. 541-953-464 E. joshuadallman@gmail.com Summer Douglas

T.

Vernonia, OR

E.

T. 503-429-0802 E. cd2day@gmail.com E. earth2summer@gmail.com

Heather LaBarre Hillsboro, OR T. 503-708-3985 E. lsbarrefamilyfarm@comcast.net Josey & Bruce Machado Puerto Rican Paso Fino Heart Throbs Prineville, OR T. 503-983-8702 E. prpfheartthrobs@yahoo.com E. 4hoofbeats@gmail.com Rhonda Marquis Terrebonne, OR T. 541-420-9398 E. hrsnarnd55@gmail.com Paula Miller Baker City, OR T. E. kurt_pj@q.com Wanita Miller Philomath, OR T. 541-929-3507 E. wmillerdgreen@yahoo.com Dee Myers Golden Sunset Ranch Baker City, OR T. E.

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Owners’ directory Robin Perry Grants Pass, OR

Mandy Orvosh Heart of Gold Paso Finos

Gail Brown Palmetto Pride Paso Fino Farm

T. 541-660-6042

Rochester Mills, PA

Batesburg, SC

E. randarubin@gmail.com

T. 412-400-5132

T. 803-657-5682

E. 9-orvosh@yahoo.com

E. gailbrown45@hotmail.com

Donna Randall Winds of Freedom Farm Albany, OR

SOUTH CAROLINA

T. 541-730-0588

Marueen Adkins & Alexis DeMeza

T. 541-990-2212 E. donnaparty69@live.com www.facebook.com/windsoffreedomfarm www.donnaparty69.wixsite.com/ windsoffreedom Laura J. Sparks Eagle Creek, OR T. 503-539-4424 E. Margie Stevenson Grants Pass, OR T. 541-955-8378 E. margies@oigp.net Randy & Deeanna Marie Wallace Mountaindale, OR T. E. 1_cipo@yahoo.com Mark Watson Portland, OR T. E. karlawatson@comcast.net

PENNSYLVANIA

Columbia, SC T. 803-894-6173 T. 803-466-0029 E. madkins270@pbtcomm.net Grayson Anthony Lexington, SC T. 803-356-0875 E. ranthony@sc.rr.com Regan Anthony Lexington, SC T. 803-479-5632 E. ranthony0427@gmail.com John A. Ashley

www.facebook.com/ purepuertoricanpasofinohorses Sam & Glenda Cerezo Camden, SC T. 803-432-8306 E. Jim Davis Camden, SC T. 803-432-3611 E. Staige DeBenedetti Camden, SC T. 209-810-7490 E. sprinceh@mindspring.com Joyce Dickinson Valley Stream Farms Leesville, SC

Gilbert, SC

T. 803-718-3347

T.

E. joyce.dickinson@davita.com

E. Elizabeth Baerreis Cornwell Farm

Lindsy Dickinson Valley Stream Farms Leesville, SC

Swansea, SC

T. 803-718-5587

T. 803-568-2258

E. lcdickinson0117@gmail.com

E. rubs@pbtcomm.net Diane Black & Richard Tidwell

Gloria C. Douglass Merrylane Farms

Aiken, SC

Columbia, SC

Gail Brennan

T. 803-646-3446

T. 803-254-1239

Indiana, PA

T. 803-646-3335

E. gcdouglass@aol.com

T.

E. dianepaso@gmail.com

E.

E. kf4joi@yahoo.com

Lorna Gay Campbell

Fernando Bodón

Tionesta, PA

Lexington, SC

T. 814-755-3768

T. 803-705-9907

E. hunterrun@verizon.net

E. postiza2000@aol.com

Edwardo Figueroa Batesburg, SC T. E. familiamunguia@hotmail.com Clifford Fisher Margaritas Paso Fino Farm Lexington, SC T. 803-331-0091 E. clifford@owens-fisher.com

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Owners’ directory Juan García

Johnny Lanier

Kayla & Brandon Sturkey

Kershaw, SC

Kershaw, SC

Aiken, SC

T. 803-475-1136

T. 803-475-1136

T. 803-295-1723

E.

T. 803-508-1383

Ann & Al Gilpatrick Conway, SC T. 803-645-8837

Stella Manberg-Wise Great Blazes Farm

T. 803-646-1429

Windsor, SC

E. gilpatrick@yahoo.com

T. 803-646-3327

E. bsturkie07@gmail.com E. kaylapaso803@gmail.com Bill & Lori Sutton Carolina Brio Paso Fino Farm

E. greatblazesfarm@gmail.com

Irmo, SC

Lexington, SC

www.facebook.com/Great-Blazes-FarmPaso-Finos-PLUS-1114680431877243

T. 803-606-9537

T. 803-530-5110

www.greatblazes.com

Cindy Griggs

E. griggsck@windstream.net Teresa & Ronnie Grissom Pelion, SC T. 803-429-1695 E. rtgrissom1@yahoo.com E. grissomt@rcgov.us Rosemary Harrell Eagle’s Rest Johns Island, SC T. 843-442-7005 E. rosmith26@hotmail.com Roni Hicks Leesville, SC T. 803-532-3003 T. 803-318-0102 E. ronilynnhicks@gmail.com E. wondermybaby@aol.com Jim Holland Florence, SC T. 843-665-6615 E. Maggie & Tom Johnson West Columbia, SC T. 803-791-3459 E. maggie1501@sc.rr.com Joan Kalec Leesville, SC T. 803-361-4935 E. joankalec.art@gmail.com

Melina Marsh Country Springs Lexington, SC T. 803-319-4231 E. marshmelina@yahoo.com Diane & Ronald Maury Foxhill Farm Wagener, SC T. 803-351-1589 E. Clyde & Francis Meares Columbia, SC T. 803-772-5945 E. Beth Postell Ravenel, SC T. 803-763-9339 E. Greg & Rita Rice Elgin, SC T. 803-206-3909 E. gregr@reborn..com E. paso5777@gmail.com Patti Smith

E. dzineforu@aol.com Katelin Swygert Wagener, SC T. 803-600-3767 E. mercerdeshull@aol.com Lynn & Kevin Swygert Wagener, SC T. 803-600-3767 E. klkswy@aol.com Cathy Tack Leesville, SC T. 803-381-5992 E. tackat@yahoo.com Michelle Thomas Macree Cameron, SC T. 803-823-2792 E. Jennifer Watkins Palmetto Pride Paso Fino Farm Batesburg, SC T. 803-657-6967 E. jenniferwatkins100@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ purepuertoricanpasofinohorses Robbyn Young Ravenel, SC

Columbia, SC

T. 704-778-2777

T. 803-422-1817

E. robbyncita@yahoo.com

E. montage@sc.rr.com Donald F. Smith Cayce, SC T. 803-794-0770 E. vasmith@sc.rr.com

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Owners’ directory TEXAS

WASHINGTON

Mary Berg Sonriente Paso Finos

Sharon DeLaney Enumclaw, WA

Taylor, TX

T. 206-321-5087

T. 512-998-9719

E. delasl@aol.com

E. mary@k9element.com www.facebook.com/sonrientepasofinos Ramón and Mildred Bodón Kofresí Royal Farm Killeen, TX T. 254-462-7982 E. salsabodon@aol.com www.facebook.com/Kofresi-RoyalFarm-550812661692030 Marj Douglas Rancho Mi Estrella

CANADA César A. Romero Saskatoon, Canada T. 306-242-9309 E. cesar.alejandro.romero@gmail.com www.facebook.com/PA50F1N0 Stefanie Schermerhorn Trademark Farms Saskatchewan, Canada

Dale, TX

T. 306-500-1746 (Sask)

T. 512-787-3019

T. 731-845-3718 (Tennessee)

E. marj_douglas@yahoo.com

E. info@pintopaso.com

www.facebook.com/ pasofinosofranchomiestrella

www.facebook.com/pintopasofino www.pintopaso.com

Rafael and Margarita García Velarama Royal Farm Killeen, TX T. 808-779-0094 (Margarita) E. boricuakendo@gmail.com E. margaretgarcia109@gmail.com

VIRGINIA Patricia & James Muncy Bentonville, VA T. 540-635-9568 E. John & Trish Novaro T. 757-859-6449 E.

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(Author unknown)

When God created the horse he said to the magnificent creature: “I have made thee unlike any other. All the treasures of the earth lie between thine eyes.

Thou shall cast mine enemies between thy hooves, but thou shall carry my friends on thy back. This shall be the seat from which prayers rise up unto me.

Thou shall find happiness all over the earth and thou shall be favored above all other creatures.

T. 808-778-8164 (Rafael)

Zuni, VA

Ode to Horses

This section is a work in progress, if you want to be included in this directory or want to add more information to your listing, please send your information to editor.borntogait@ gmail.com or contact us through our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ BornToGait .

For to thee shall accrue the love of the master of the earth, and thou shall fly without wings and conquer without a sword; oh horse.”

Stallions’ directory FLORIDA

MISSOURI

OREGON

Borinquen de Mi Orgullo

Don Juan de América

Armani del Sol

Mago de Pride x Belinda de Réplica

Juan Jesus x Srta. Constitución

Barba Roja de Kofresí II x Alborada del Sol

Pedro Burgos

Tracy Hernández

César Romero

Castadero Villa Burgos

Buckeye Ridge

Tallahassee, Florida

Lockwood, Missouri

Standing at Puerto Rican Paso Fino Heart Throbs

T. 787-244-0832

T. 417-861-0303

Diseño Taino D’Mi Borinquen Mago de Pride x Aroma de Las Magnolias

E. pfrider@earthlink.net

Denisse Cancel

NEW YORK

D’Mi Borinquen Paso Fino

Magnum

Micanopy, Florida T. 352-246-9983 E. denissecancel@hotmail.com Don Tatá D’Borikén Poema de Altura x Sombra del Brujo Edgardo Fullana

E. fullanae@hotmail.com Romeo de Pride

Contact Josey Machado T. 503-983-8702 E. prpfheartthrobs@yahoo.com Royalty’s Prince Killian Thorin

Ser Extremo Esperanza x Ilusionista

Turabo Segundo x Royalty’s Toña La Negra

Louie Giorgi

Summer Douglas

Mt. Pisgah Paso Finos

Vernonia, Oregon

New Kingston, New York

Not available for stud services at this time.

T. 845-532-3535 E. mtnxtreme@gmail.com

Royalty’s Turabo D’Alicante (aka Zorro) David Holderread

Palm City, Florida T. 561-797-8052

Prineville, Oregon

OKLAHOMA Cuatro Beat Obsession Color: Tobiano Pinto

Blue Bird Paradise Paso Finos Corvallis, Oregon T. E. smoothride@bluebirdpasofinos.com

Amante de Pride x Yesenia de Toro Negro

Santo Serrano x Milicirin’s Miracle

Pedro Burgos

Tonia Colburn

Castadero Villa Burgos

Cuatro Beat Pasos

Cale’s Helado Oro x Medalla de Pride

Tallahassee, Florida

Muskogee, Oklahoma

Donna Randall

T. 787-244-0832

T. 918-441-9902

Winds of Freedom Farm

T. 918-781-9901

Albany, Oregon

E. cuatrobeat@yahoo.com

T. 541-730-0588

MICHIGAN Curioso Milagro de Nieve x Farola Rosie Spagnuolo Bickert Gentle HoofBeats Paso Finos DeWitt, Michigan T. 517-490-7712 E. bickertr@msu.edu

Royalty’s Vaho del Cumbre Vaho de Montana x Carmina B Tonia Colburn

Yuquiyú

T. 541-990-2212 E. donnaparty69@live.com

Cuatro Beat Pasos

SOUTH CAROLINA

Muskogee, Oklahoma

Boricua

T. 918-441-9902

Plebeyo x Suleyka

T. 918-781-9901

Gail Brown and Jennifer Watkins

E. cuatrobeat@yahoo.com

Palmetto Pride Puerto Rican Paso Fino Farm Batesburg, South Carolina T. 803-532-8805 E. gailbrown45@hotmail.com

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Stallions’ directory Diamante Pechudo x Tiffany’s Travesura Stella Manberg-Wise Great Blazes Farm Windsor, South Carolina T. 803-646-3327 E. greatblazesfarm@gmail.com Fuego Rápido de Pride San Mateo Mako x Diamante Negra de Pride Cathy Tack Palmetto Pride Puerto Rican Paso Fino Farm

TEXAS

CANADA

Amaretto Royal

Cale’s Ayudo de Pintura

Allegretto Royal x Faraona Royal

San Mateo Mako x Pintura LaCE

Ramón and Mildred Bodón

Stefanie Schermerhorn

Kofresí Royal Farm

Trademark Farms

Killeen, Texas

Saskatchewan, Canada

T. 254-462-7982

T. 306-500-1746 (Sask)

E. salsabodon@aol.com

T. 731-845-3718 (Tennessee)

Galante de Pride San Mateo Mako x Herencia de Kofregrama Rafael and Margarita García

Batesburg, South Carolina

Velarama Royal Farm

T. 803-687-1565

Killeen, Texas

E. tackcat@yahoo.com

T. 808-778-8164 (Rafael)

JB Legado de Pride Boricua x Camelia de Pride Gail Brown and Jennifer Watkins Palmetto Pride Puerto Rican Paso Fino Farm Batesburg, South Carolina T. 803-532-8805 E. gailbrown45@hotmail.com Mago de Pride Rejonero de Labriego x Magia Negra de Toro Negro Gail Brown and Jennifer Watkins Palmetto Pride Puerto Rican Paso Fino Farm

T. 808-779-0094 (Margarita) E. boricuakendo@gmail.com E. margaretgarcia109@gmail.com

E. gailbrown45@hotmail.com

BORN TO GAIT • SUMMER 2022

T. 306-500-1746 (Sask) T. 731-845-3718 (Tennessee) E. info@pintopaso.com

E. salsabodon@aol.com Rayito de Oro Color: Cremello Cale’s Helado Oro x Tostada de Hidalgo

T. 512-787-3019 E. marj_douglas@yahoo.com Rojo Rey de Cuerno Grande Águila de Negro x Azúcar Morena Mary Berg Sonriente Paso Finos Taylor, Texas T. 512-998-9719 E. mary@k9element.com

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Saskatchewan, Canada

T. 254-462-7982

Dale, Texas

T. 803-532-8805

Trademark Farms

Killeen, Texas

Rancho Mi Estrella

Batesburg, South Carolina

Stefanie Schermerhorn

Kofresí Royal Farm

E. gailbrown45@hotmail.com

Palmetto Pride Puerto Rican Paso Fino Farm

Brillador de Pisgah x Reina de Margarita

Ramón and Mildred Bodón

Marj Douglas

Gail Brown and Jennifer Watkins

Color: Tobiano Pinto

Boricua x Candela de Kofresí

T. 803-532-8805

Boricua x Magia de Réplica

Domingo del Escudero

Imperio Royal

Batesburg, South Carolina

Plebeyo de Pride

E. info@pintopaso.com

This listing includes PPR Paso Fino Stallions properly registered with one of the PPR Paso Fino organizations in the United States or Puerto Rico. The horse must reside in the United State to be included in this list.

If you want to include your stallion in this directory or want to add more information to your listing, please send the information to editor.borntogait@ gmail.com or contact us through our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ BornToGait .

Organization’s directory UNITED STATES

PUERTO RICO

SOCIAL MEDIA

Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Federation of America

Federación del Deporte de Caballos de Paso Fino de Puerto Rico

Paso Fino Preservation

PO Box 2027, Leesville SC 29070-2027 T. 803-532-8805

PMB 220, #138 Ave. Winston Churchill, San Juan PR 00926-6013

E. gailbrown45@hotmail.com

T.

www.pprpffa.org

E. federacionpasofino@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/PPRPFFA

www.facebook.com/FDCPFPR Asociación Nacional del Deporte de Caballos de Paso Fino de Puerto Rico

The Livestock Conservancy PO Box 477, 33 Hillsboro, St. Pittsboro, NC 27312

Cond. El Atlántico, Aptdo. L-1, Levittown PR 00949-4223

T. 919-542-5704 E. info@livestockconservancy.org www.livestockconservancy.org www.facebook.com/livestockconservancy Equus Survival Trust

T. E. nacionalpasofino@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ AsociacionNacionaldePasoFino Asociación Insular Dueños y Criadores Paso Fino Puro Puertorriqueño

130 Lumber Plant Rd. Lowgap, NC 27024

PO Box 1013, Guaynabo PR 00970-1013

T. 336-352-5520 E. EquusSurvivalTrust@yahoo.com www.equus-survival-trust.org www.facebook.com/ groups/534393013432883

T. 787-365-4087 E. insularpasofino.pr@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ AsociacionInsularPasoFinoPuro Oficina de Paso Fino Departamento de Agricultura de PR Box 10163, San Juan PR 00908-1163 T. (787) 721-2120

www.facebook.com/Paso-FinoPreservation-773845989440462 Paso Fino, puro de aquí www.facebook.com/purodeaqui Paso Fino Raza Puertorriqueña www.facebook.com/ pasofinorazapuertorriquena/ www.pasofinopur.com PNW Puerto Rican Paso Finos www.facebook.com/ groups/742342929878629 PPR Paso Fino Group www.facebook.com/ groups/1906531239409437 Raza Autóctona TV Paso Fino, Raza Autóctona de Puerto Rico T. 787-910-2729 E. jhuertasmelendez@yahoo.com www.youtube.com/c/ PasoFinoRazaAutóctonadePuertoRico www.facebook.com/ pasofinorazaautoctonadePR www.facebook.com/ groups/704893746370347

E. info@agricultura.pr.gov www.agricultura.pr Paso Fino Puerto Rico Horse Breed Foundation – PFBREED PMB 1736, Calle París #243, San Juan PR 00917 T. 787-403-7545 E. pasofinoprbreedfoundation@gmail.com www.facebook.com/pfbreed

MAGAZINES Paso Fino, Raza de Puerto Rico Magazine Rafael Arbelo T. (863) 838-3932 E. yumac1@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/ PasoFinoaPuertoRicanBreed www.pasofinomagazine.com

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