The Smoothest Ride ... Tips, Articles, and Stories For The Paso Fino Horse Enthusiast
What
is Becoming of Our Show Pleasure Paso Fino Horses?
by
Lynn Gallup
(2003) ,
www.smoothride4u.com
Are we losing the very qualities why the majority of owners
got into the Paso Fino breed to start with ... the smooth ride and the
easy amicable nature?
Why are so many riders of show pleasure horses "jiggling" or
bouncing in the saddle while riding?
Are we sacrificing smoothness of ride for quickness of gait in our show
pleasure classes?
The
Pleasure Paso Fino is the largest market and also the largest divisions
in our shows, so the direction of this show division is very important
to define and redefine routinely to keep its stated purpose on track...
"a smooth and enjoyable pleasure ride". In exploring this subject,
I had to ask a series of questions to understand possible scenarios to
seek solutions and answers.
Is
the smoothness affected by the training of the Pleasure horses?
Are some trainers striving for too much collection, quickness and brios
with the horse being too "up" or "wired"? Are the
horses initially trained for a different division Classic Fino or Perfomance,
are not able to "cut the mustard", then they are then "retrained"
for pleasure, causing the horse confusion going from a Perfomance or Fino
mindset and bodyform to a more "relaxed" pleasure state. Are
pleasure prospects being started at too young of age (two and three years
old) under saddle and pushed before they are mentally and physically mature
enough to stand the stresses of training? If this be the case you could
have an unwilling or uncoordinated schooling horse that shows his unhappiness
and lack of smoothness through a unsteady gait in the showring. Pleasure,
being the largest division at most of the Paso Fino regional and national
shows, is also the division that has the most variety in way of going
among horses competing. Some horses have more action, some move low, some
have natural extension while some are shorter in stride. Some have a more
natural up neck carriage while some are set lower. Which types of way
of going give the smoothest ride if that is a top priority trait for the
breed? What training methods bring out the smoothest ride? Starting with
a horse with sound conformation and correct tracking, and having that
horse balanced in movement and form with an evenly spaced four beat gait
should lead to a smooth ride. Also, a Paso Fino trained resulting in a
willing and pleasant manner with light rein contact, combined with the
other mentioned factors, should result in a minimal or resisitance-free
attitude towards the rider in the ring and also a smoother ride!
Is
the smoothness affected in the way the riders sit in their "equitation"
while riding?
Are they balanced in their form enabling the horse to perform at its best
or smoothest? Is the horse moving more on the forehand as the rider leans
forward instead of sitting deep in the saddle allowing the horse to drive
forward from behind. As a judge, I have seen riders "brace"
in the stirrups to cover up an unsmooth ride. Bracing is where the rider's
legs are braced or stiffened in a forward manner in front of the rider's
and horse's natural center of balance. I have also, seen riders stand
up in the strirrups in an attempt to cover up an unsmooth ride. A long
blazer can help to disguise this fact, except that you can see the rider's
legs and knees are stiff instead of a slight bend at the knee. Also, the
rider's heels are not down, except for when the horse is walking, then
the rider's legs relax and the heels come down in the stirrups. How comfortable
is it to ride like this? Not very. Is all this necessary to cover up a
rough ride on "the smoothest riding horses in the world"?
Is
the smoothness affected by the genetics and breeding of the pleasure horses?
Is it Paso Fino breeders' past historical and current trend of breeding
to Classic Fino horses to gain a more marketable profitable product due
to the "known" Fino bloodline and exciting showring fino gait?
Is it the hope of getting a Classic Fino prospect who will be the next
"famous" fino horse and earn a strong financial return in lofty
stud fees or sale price? With a mix of gait styles and types in breeding
choices (non-fino bred to fino), are we losing what the Pleasure division's,
the most money-making division at horse shows, purpose is: "to demonstrate
the more relaxed manner of movement of the Paso Fino horse...with gaits
especially suitable to trail and pleasure riding"*.
Has
the conformation changed on the Pleasure Paso Fino to affect smoothness
of ride?
Do our Pleasure Paso Finos today have a straighter shoulder and more upright
pastern angles than in the past, as form follows function? More upright
angles would account for a less smooth ride and shorter stride, thus a
jiggle is created in the ride. Is quickness of gait what the breed as
a whole desires or needs, or more emphasis to be placed on a "silky
smooth ride" that will continue to attract new customers to our beloved
Paso Fino breed? Which quality will more likely grab a valuable share
of the equine recreational market in the US over the next decade? Are
horses that can move more relaxed in their movement which is what the
PFHA rulebook Pleasure division describes in the "Pleasure"
way of going more natural gaited as they don't need to be collected into
gait? What will the new Paso Fino amateur owner desire in their first
Paso Fino horses? If they have a good experience with the first one they
buy, they will most likely buy another, and even promote the breed to
other newcomers in a positive manner.
Also,
important as always in the Pleasure divsion is the attitude of the horses,
including the riders!
Paso Finos when performing smoothly, balanced and aggreeably are happier
as expressed in their eyes, ears, prescence, and overall body language.
The rider is enjoying the ride also, and expresses it in his own body
language and facial expressions...a smile and self-pride shines forth.
As very important for this class are the manners and obedience of the
horse to the rider's commands. "The horse should be controlled with
minimally restraint and the rider should appear to be enjoying themselves...the
horse's attitude should be calm, pleasant and cooperative."* Today,
the genuine smile seen in pleasure classes is not always the norm, it
shouldn't have to be faked when they are experiencing a great smooth ride
and show ring performance. Now I can see if the ride is rough, the horse
is fighting the bit and the rider, or a worse scenario...the poor horse
is about to blow a gasket (not ready for the showring and not able to
handle the pressure), okay...why would this rider be smiling...very good
reason I would say, but those negative qualities just mentioned can still
be seen in today's pleasure show ring. And my personal opinion regarding
overall attitude while in the show arena, may all pleasure horses that
place in their class be able to accept their ribbon in a mannerly and
willing "I love what I am doing!"attitude.
Not
to be excluded, as it has a major effect also on the Pleasure Horse division,
is the judging.
There appears to be much variety in the "way of going" of Pleasure
entries, which also is sometimes the case in judges' decisions in their
pleasure placements in the same class. Are the stated criteria being used
for judging standards as described in the PFHA rulebook specific enough?
The decisions of the judges will guide the way the trainers train and
how breeders breed. There has been the statement heard often enough in
show circles: "The Pleasure Horse needs to be a show horse, not a
backyard trail horse!" So in that case what defines a show horse
per se? ...Natural presence, harmony of movement, sound conformation and
mind, consistency in performance, training, natural talent and a smooth
ride. As Paso Finos are known and valued by their owners for their versatility,
the Pleasure Show Horse will often serve as a trusty trail companion for
its rider.
First and foremost, what is marketed about the Paso Fino breed should always be "its smooth ride" and its amicable disposition. Are the breed's examples seen by the public follow these qualities? Sometimes I hear negative impressions about the breed. The Paso Fino is just one breed amongst many natural gaited breeds in the United States and the world. It is very important for the Paso Fino breed to grow positively and compete in the forefront of natural gaited recreational enthusiasts. There is no reason why it shouldn't! Now is the time to define and redefine our Pleasure Paso Fino division to keep it on track for its purpose and prioritize what is important for this largest and most important show division. Why is the Pleasure division so important? Showing is just as much a recreational sport as trail riding is. People get personal benefits from each whether its the thrill of competition or the relaxation of a trail ride. Pleasure generates the most revenue from show entries, most new owners first buy a Pleasure Paso Fino whether for show or trail, and more Paso Fino owners ride and own pleasure horses over any other type.
Lynn Gallup was introduced to the Paso Fino breed in 1975, while owning a Half-Arabian at the time. She began actively showing them in the Atlantic and Piedmont regional Paso Fino shows in the mid-70’s. She owns Gracewood Farm Paso Finos in New Hill, North Carolina, home to about 17 Paso Fino horses, where she continues to train/breed her own Paso Fino horses. Lynn is a multi-gaited horse breed show judge: Paso Finos, Rocky Mountains, and Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horses, and a Registered "R" Judge with USEF. The “Tips” are learned from hands on experience and attending clinics over the years involved with horses. Lynn’s website “The Smoothest Ride” went online in 1997, and offers helpful and informative tips, articles, and stories for the Paso Fino horse enthusiast. New URL: www.smoothride4u.com.
Return to Gracewood Farm's article page
Readers
Opinions and Comments to Article (Please read below)
(note
it was a fight just to get the article published in the PFHW in 2003,
and then it was placed in the back of the magazine)
August 13, 2003
Read and reread your first issue on this subject and after twenty
years in PF's, I am increasingly frustrated by some of these trends. Some
comments to your queries:
Training.
Yes, clients often times isnist on a tighter gait and collection without
consideration of conformational and mental limits. Trainers in an effort
to enhance their own reputation sometimes push the horse without reference
to the owner. We need to emphasize to owners and trainers to let the horse
be the horse and optimize his natural abilities. And yes, we often start
horses too young mainly for economic reasons. Should there be no 3 y/o
saddle classes? Try it and we'd get an uproar from Florida.
Genetics/Breeding/Conformation.
Without a doubt, the influx of "fino" horses from Colombia is
driving the trend to "breed fino". How many stallion ads do
we see for "pleasure breeding"? This trend has affected our
classic performance and now the pleasure segments of our horse population.
Again driven by economics driven by the import of so called fino horses.
Once fed into the genetic base, it's a longterm fight to breed it out
and we know where the $$ power base is.
Judging.
I think the judges have some leverage in recapturing certain aspects of
our breed's historic characteristics, but again, it may be like shoveling
manure into the wind (no reflection on the judges). The other underlying
growing factor is the number of judges who are also trainers and breeders
and quite naturally work to their benefit; it's part of our economic system.
An independent, non-associated team of judges may be a positive step,
but see above, re: manure. The trainers' organization has developed a
certain amount of clout and I know of some non-member trainers who feel
ignored in the showring regardless of the quality horse under him/her.
Reminds me of POGO..."We have met the enemy and he is us."
More positively, the continuous improvement in quality has been outstanding and that too is driven by the Colombians and the knowledgeable breeders and trainers. Tough nosed, independent judges have added a great kick to this aspect. I like what you're doing; anxious to read the next chapter (next article in series).
REGARDS,
TONY CASAGRANDE
August 21, 2003
Very good article. I have wondered the same thing. We seem to have
the problem in both pleasure as well as performance. I was happy to see
at Extravaganza that some horses were excused for that reason. We certainly
need to get the judging to agree with the rule book, do you think this
will ever happen? Who trains and keeps the judges up to date? Is there
an ongoing educational process for the judges? We have many issues to
resolve to make showing Pasos a good sport.
Do you think that there should be pleasure stallion classes? Should we not be encouraging gelding these horses for the betterment of the breed?
Millie
August 22, 2003
As a trail/pleasure rider, I can attest to the dissatisfaction across
the country with the direction the Pleasure class has taken. I have been
told by top show people that the only difference between the Performance
and Pleasure class is a flat walk. What you see in the arena is not what
the Pleasure class is supposed to be, as described in the rules.
That does not speak highly of the largest segment of PF horses, which are real pleasure horses. I have met and heard of other people who changed their minds about buying a Paso Fino when they watched the Pleasure Class at a PFHA show and were turned off by all the brio in what should be a pleasure horse.
This article is very pertinent to this segment of the PFHA. There is a divergence between what is in the rule book and what is in the show ring. This should be discussed and resolved, not continually shuffled under the carpet. This can only be done by looking at both sides of the issue.
Carol Nudell
Thu, 2 Oct 2003
Lynn,
I thought your article hit the nail on the head and opens up ssome avenues
for discussion on where we go with the breeding programs aand show ring.
I’m afriad the show ring may be harder to define since input and
ideas are shared by everyone in the breed. Obviously the pleasure division
is always the biggest at every show so it affects more individuals. But
the major issue I look at is how many "wash outs" we have through
all divisions and go "down one" to try to be the cream of the
crop in a lesser class. I think judges will have to recognize this and
and place these horses accordingly.
I must say your article is excellent food for thought and all issues you brought must be dealt with. Thanks alot for your article.
Dwayne Tilley
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Piedmont Paso Member
Mon, 29 Sep 2003
Dear Lynn:
I read your Viewpoint article in the Paso Fino Horse World, with great interest. I agree with you whole-heartedly. This has been my experience: I have owned Paso Finos since 1990 and began showing in 1991. At the time all we could afford was the $3,500 - $5,000 pleasure/trail horse. We did however enjoy showing. My mare at that time Deseada took second place consistently. Years later we bought a Performance mare. We had her for 6 years. By the end of the 6 years she was no longer considered performance, but country pleasure.
Last year we took our mare Gaviota de Fanfarona to the Nationals. This was our first time at the Nationals, because this is the first time we had anything worth showing at that level. Gaviota is a performance mare, however she was shown in both Performance and Pleasure classes. My husband video taped both classes. We could find no difference at all between the two classes. Why is this? Gaviota made the first cut in the Performance division and she took Grand National Reserve Mares/Fillies in the Pleasure division. There is no way that this mare is a pleasure mare, but she took top honors in that class. She took nothing in the performance class. Looking back at the videos I can still see no difference in the two classes. Shouldn't there be a very defining difference? Your article describes perfectly the differences, but it seems that none of the criteria you mentioned are heeded.
I trail ride all my horses, because I enjoy it and the horses enjoy it. It keeps them from becoming ring sour. Shouldn't those people who have trail horses be allowed to show, if they desire? It seems to me that the fault here lies with the judging. Judges should not be pinning performance or fino horses in a pleasure class. If they disqualified these performance and fino horses that are in the pleasure class, we could get back to the basics, where we belong. Also my experience is that first time Paso buyers are intimidated by the Performance and Fino type horses. All that brio overwhelms them.
However in conclusion, if all the judges followed you criteria for the Pleasure divisions the shows would look very very different. And it would encourage more people to show, even if only at the local level.
Claudia Marek
President, Northeast Paso Fino Horse Assoc.