On Saturday, a rare horse breed will be celebrated at the Hippodrome.
The Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Federation of America will hold its annual celebration starting at 10 a.m., with free admission. The purpose is to raise awareness for the breed, of which there are only 2,500 registered. The Puerto Rican Paso Fino gaits naturally from birth, and they consistently pass that gait to their offspring, according to event organizer Gail Brown.
"Puerto Rican Paso are extremely intelligent and naturally inquisitive," she said. "They enjoy being with people. They were originally bred to use as working horses and excel at anything they are asked to do. They enjoy working cattle and have a natural born instinct to do so. They can compete with gymkhana, endurance rides and almost anything any type of horse can do. Because of their naturally smooth gait, the rider is always comfortable. Puerto Rican Paso Finos are proud and beautiful and come in all horse colors. Most have naturally long flowing manes and tails. They are very strong for their size, usually about 13 to 15 hands, and very sturdy."
Brown said, due to there being little awareness about the breed, many have been bred with other horses.
"Unless there is an awareness and appreciation of these horses, they will be forever lost," she said. "Pure Puerto Rican Paso Finos gait naturally without any special training or devices. Many other pasos must have a trainer or special training to teach them to execute a four-beat lateral gait."
The federation's annual show at the Hippodrome is the only one in the United States that offers separate classes for the Puerto Rican Paso Finos to showcase their gate and their difference from other pasos. It is where the largest number of Pure Puerto Rican Paso Finos can be found and the best opportunity to see and learn more about the breed. Brown said the event will attract horses from all over the country, with owners and trainers who love to show and talk about them.
In addition to the annual celebration, the federation hosts six all-breed shows in the Redbank Arena in Lexington throughout the spring and fall. Those shows consist of classes for all breeds and disciplines. The federation also hosts a show at the South Carolina State Fair in October to showcase the breed.
For more information, email Brown at gailbrown45@hotmail.com. For more about the federation, visit www.puerto ricanpasofino.org.