Lexington, KY - Paso Finos, with a name that means "fine step," are beautiful horses born with a unique, smooth gait. Compared to Thoroughbreds and American Quarter Horses, Paso Finos are small in size (13-15 hands tall) and number. But these special horses will have a sizable economic impact locally, starting this fall.
For the first time in its 40-year history, the Paso Fino Grand National Championship Show is coming to Lexington. The Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) has taken its own "fine step," booking the Kentucky Horse Park for its prestigious show not only for October 7-13, but also for 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Roughly 500 to 600 Paso Fino horses and 1,500 people will be here for about 10 days, arriving early to prepare for the week-long show. Based on figures from the 2010 show, their estimated expenditures will be $2.6 million.
To produce the show, the PFHA will spend $400,000 with local veterinarians, farriers, and vendors of tents, signage and other services and equipment. Spectators will spend even more for food, lodging, parking and trade show purchases. Total revenue generated should be close to $4 million — not bad for a small breed of small horses with big hearts.
John Nicholson, executive director of the horse park, said that "many local businesses will benefit from the Paso Fino Grand National moving to our state" and termed the event "a wonderful asset to our park and the surrounding communities."
He added, "It will also be an exciting introduction for Kentuckians who will quickly be dazzled and enamored by this very old and elegant Spanish breed. Their beauty and brilliant style will win countless hearts."
Don Vizi, PFHA's executive director, has been working to bring this show to the Horse Park, where the association is based, with other national breed organizations. "I'm excited to show Kentucky our fabulous breed, and I'm excited to bring our members to the Horse Capital of the World," he said.
This year's show is titled "Brio in the Bluegrass," using the Spanish word to recognize the energy and lively spirit of these horses. Paso Finos trace their ancestry back to horses that came with the Spanish conquistadors. Two strains of the breed originated in Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Lee Vulgaris, president of PFHA, has 16 Paso Finos on his farm in Marion, Mass. Vulgaris didn't start riding until his late 50s. He appreciates the comfortable, smooth ride that every Paso Fino gives without requiring that its rider post during a jolting trot.
Vulgaris said that Paso Fino are so comfortable to ride that people with arthritis and back problems who gave up riding find themselves back in the saddle. One of the PFHA's sayings about the horse is, "To ride one is to own one."
Paso Finos have long manes and long tails. They come in all colors, even paints, though black and bay are most common. Vulgaris said that while these striking horses are not as tall as some other breeds, they "grow in stature" when you're in the saddle, easily carrying a rider more than six feet in height, such as himself.
"I'm looking forward to coming here and being a part of the horse park," Vulgaris said. "It's important for us to be in the center of the country as much as possible, and as a smaller breed, to be in the center of the equine world. There's no doubt that's what the Horse Park is."
Members of the PFHA have planned their show to make it exciting for both children and adults.
On Military Appreciation Day, armed services members and their families will receive free admission. Vizi said that he hopes to arrange field trips so local schoolchildren can attend.
In addition to show classes for both adult and young riders, visitors can see a trail obstacle event, barrel racing and Paso Fino Horse Soccer. Show visitors — adults and children — will also have the chance to ride a Paso Fino for free.
"We want to wow them," said Rick Meyer, PFHA's director of events and a Paso Fino owner and breeder from Illinois.
Meyer and his wife, Janice, compete in the crowd-pleasing Cowboy Mounted Shootout. Horses (and riders) wear protective earplugs as they gallop at full speed through a prescribed course while their riders shoot out balloons with black powder. The riders wear western costumes and use single action Colt .45 pistols. Best times and accuracy determine the winners. The competition is very fast-paced, with a rider starting the course about every minute. This Cowboy Shootout is one of the fastest growing equine sports in the United States.
The Paso Fino Grand National Championship Show shows how investment in the horse park's infrastructure continues to bring money into the local economy. This special show is also another example, along with the Alltech Reining World Cup and the Road to the Horse event, of the growing presence of Western riding at the horse park.