International Opportunity Coral Rodriguez, 22, is no stranger to the international Youth Mundial. She has quite a resume. “I’ve gone to Kissimmee in 2006. I’ve gone in 2010 to Puerto Rico, 2014 to Colombia, 2016 to Puerto Rico, and 2018 in Ocala,” she explained. Rodriguez credits her family, especially her father, for her success in showing Paso Finos. “My dad is one of the pioneers in the sport and taught me everything I know.” said Rodriguez, who expressed appreciation for the support of her family and the sacrifices they have made to let her pursue her riding dreams. The Paso Fino community is known for a focus on family. When asked what keeps her coming back, Rodriguez shared that she is still striving for a gold medal. “So this is hopefully the year we take that gold medal!” She said. “Just being able to prove to myself that I know that I can do it. I’ve worked really hard for it. Maybe things haven’t gone as I wanted, but I’m hoping that this year it does. “I was able in 2014 to place as a third finalist out of 27 other riders,” she added. “That really motivated me to continue trying for that goal.” The appeal of international competition also has a lot to do with meeting fellow riders from all over. For a person like Rodriguez, this new “family” means a lot. “I absolutely love, love, love being able to meet new friends and getting reunited with old friends from all over,” she said. “It is that one time a year that everybody comes together, and I get to see my friends from Aruba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic, so it’s a really nice time.” In fact, Rodriguez met her best friend, Melanie—a five-time World Champion from Team Aruba—in 2010 at a Mundial. Now their families have grown close and celebrate holidays together. The international experience is a benefit of participating in competition at this level. “Out-of-country Mundials are a completely different experience, because you get to see new cultures, new people, and sample new foods.” Rodriguez explained. “You get to go sightseeing, see different things, and explore while being able to do what you love.” Paying it forward, Rodriguez works with other riders to help them prepare for competition, as well. “My goal has been 58 SPRING ISSUE 2022
“My goal has been to be able to share that passion with the younger riders and with the upcoming, new Paso riders,” said veteran Youth Mundial competitor Coral Rodriguez, who also helps coach U.S. team hopefuls.
to be able to share that passion with the younger riders and with the upcoming, new Paso riders,” she said, adding that she has six students who intend to try out for the 2022 U.S. team. “I’ve had little ones who have been with me since they were three years old. They’re working really, really hard just to be able to prove that they can be at that top-tier level. “My advice for them would be to not give up. I tell them this every day: you’ve got to work hard and be able to commit to train not once, not two, but three times a week. It’s a big sacrifice, but at the end of the day, it’s a sport that we love.” Positive Impact Katherine Rengifo, 17, came to competitive riding later than many of the competitors. Her first love was gymnastics. But after a fractured wrist put a pause on her gymnastics, Rengifo finally tried a few lessons at her dad’s urging. She fell completely in love with riding. She now brings her competitive spirit to the show ring. One year after she started competing, with lots of hard work and dedication, Rengifo competed in her first Mundial in 2018 in Ocala, Florida.
“Competing was something I was really looking forward to but also very nervous about,” she added. “Because everyone says that your first couple Mundials, you never make the cut because it’s so difficult. I really proposed to myself that it didn’t matter who was going to compete against me, or what experience they had, or how many Mundials they had already gone to, or how many medals they had already won, because when we go into the arena, we’re all at the same level. We all earn our spots.” Rengifo won a silver medal in her first Mundial outing. To prepare for the Mundial, Rengifo says, “You really have to lean hard into your own talents as a horse person. It really tests you to see if you actually know what you’re doing.” Rengifo is particularly excited about this year’s Mundial, as the Cali venue is also her mother’s hometown. If she makes the team, Rengifo’s family will join her. Rengifo says her mother, in particular, feels equestrian experience has had a positive impact on Rengifo. “The responsibility it takes to really be managing a horse and having that responsibility, it’s really up to you to control how you do in your competition,” Rengifo said, adding that her mom has expressed pride in being able “to watch me be admired by others and kids that are even younger than me, just to see that I’ve been able to achieve my goals and other people have that ideal to look up to.” Asked about being a role model, Rengifo responded, “I really do think it’s a great responsibility. And I think it does keep me on my toes. It ensures that I have to do everything I can and never give less than 200%. You always want to be the person that’s getting better and better, trying to make their corrections, and not the person that was good and happy that they’re good and just became mediocre.”
Learn More About Paso Finos
Paso Fino Horse Association: pfha.org US Equestrian’s Paso Fino: usef.org/compete/breeds/paso-fino
PHOTO: CHERI PRILL/STUNNING STEEDS PHOTO
JUNIORS’ RING
