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What's a Paso Fino?
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Standards of the Breed
Show Classes |
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Click on the underlined text for detailed descriptions.
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| GENERAL IMPRESSION
The Paso Fino reflects its Spanish heritage through its proud carriage, grace and elegance. Modern care and selective breeding have enhanced its beauty, refinement and well-proportioned conformation that convey strength and power without extreme muscling. The Paso Fino is born with a gait unique to the breed and his attitude seems to transmit to the observer that this horse knows his gait is a very special gift that must be executed with style and pride! The gait being totally natural, movements are smooth, rhythmic, purposeful, straight, balanced in flexion and synchronous front to rear, resulting in unequaled comfort and smoothness for the rider. With its definite but controlled spirit, natural gait and presence, and responsive attitude, the Paso Fino is, indeed, a rare and desirable equine partner. |
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| HEAD | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The head should be refined and in good proportion to the body of the horse, neither extremely small nor large with the preferred profile being straight. Eyes are large, dark and well spaced, very expressive and alert, and should not show excessive white around the edges. Ears are comparatively short, set close and curved inward at the tips. The lips should be firm and the nostrils large and dilatable. Jaws are defined but not extreme. The impression should be of a well-shaped alert and intelligent face. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NECK | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gracefully arched medium in length and set on at an angle to allow high carriage, breaking at the poll. Throat latch should be refined and well defined. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FOREHAND | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoulders are sloping into the withers with great depth through the heart. Chest is moderate in width. Withers are defined but not pronounced and slope smoothly into the back. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MID-SECTION | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moderate in length with a well-sprung rib cage. Top line should be proportionately shorter than the underline. The back should be strong and muscled. The mid-section should join the forehand and the hindquarters so as to give the horse a pleasing proportioned appearance. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HIND QUARTERS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Croup is slightly sloping with rounded hips, broad loins and strong hocks. Tail is carried gracefully when horse is in motion. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LEGS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Straight with refined bones and strong, well-defined tendons. Broad, long forearms with shorter cannons. Thigh and gaskin are strong and muscled, but not exaggerated. Standing slightly under in the rear is acceptable. Pasterns are sloping, and medium in length. Bones are straight, sound and flat, and joints are strong and well defined. Hooves are well rounded, proportionate in size and do not show excessive heel. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MANE, TAIL, & FORELOCK | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As long, full and luxurious as nature can provide. No artificial additions or alterations are allowed. A bride path not exceeding 4” is acceptable. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SIZE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 to 15.2 hands with 13.3 to 14.2 being the most typical. Weight from 700 to 1100 pounds. Full size may not be attained until the fifth year. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| COLOR | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Every equine color is found, with or without white markings. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DISPOSITION | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| An extremely willing horse that truly seems to enjoy human companionship and strives to please. Spirited and responsive under tack; sensible and gentle at hand. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GAIT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The gait of the Paso Fino is totally natural and normally exhibited from birth. It is an evenly spaced 4-beat gait with each foot contacting the ground independently in a regular sequence at precise intervals creating a rapid, unbroken rhythm. When executed perfectly the four hoof beats are absolutely even in both cadence and impact. The Paso Fino gait is performed at three forward speeds and with varying degrees of collection. In all speeds of the gait the rider should appear virtually motionless in the saddle and there should be no perceptible up and down movement of the horses croup.
CLASSIC FINO an evenly spaced four-beat lateral gait. Smooth, animated, exciting and executed with brilliance and style, fully collected and balanced, putting its complete dynamic energy into its carriage and the quickness of its footfall. Extension is absolutely minimum and forward speed is extremely slow, whereas the footfall is exceedingly rapid. PASO CORTO an evenly spaced four beat lateral gait with moderate forward speed and extension---smooth, supple, cadenced. In the Performance Division the corto is performed with collection. In the Pleasure Division, it is performed with moderate collection. PASO LARGO an evenly spaced four beat lateral gait, smooth and balanced with rapid forward motion. In the Performance Division the largo is performed with collection. In the Pleasure Division, it is performed with moderate collection. WALK an evenly spaced four beat gait, cadenced, straight, animated and rhythmic. In the Performance Division, the walk is performed with collection. In the Pleasure Division, the Flat Walk is called for and performed with moderate collection and extension. The Paso Fino can execute other gaits natural to horses in addition to the Paso Fino gait. |
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CONFORMATION CLASS
CONFORMATION CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS CLASSIC FINO CLASSIC FINO CHAMPIONSHIP PASO PERFORMANCE CLASS PASO PERFORMANCE CHAMPIONSHIP PASO PLEASURE CLASS PASO PLEASURE CHAMPIONSHIP PASO TRAIL CLASS PASO COSTUME CLASS OPEN PASO WESTERN PLEASURE OPEN PASO VERSATILITY EQUITATION COUNTRY PLEASURE |
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| CONFORMATION CLASS The horse must demonstrate the Paso Fino or Paso Corto gait whenever moving. Entry will be judged 60% on conformation; 30% on quality and naturalness of gait; and 10% on appearance, grooming and manners. All entries are shown in a leather show halter (no bit) with single or double lines attached with either one or two handlers. The official Paso Fino Show outfit is required. CONFORMATION CHAMPIONSHIP CLASS To be eligible, horses must have placed first or second in the Conformation Class listed above appropriate to his/her age group. Judging specifications are the same as in regular class. CLASSIC FINO Horses are required to perform the fully collected Classic Fino gait at all times. Horses must work both directions, reverse, halt and proceed in gait. A sounding board should be used to clearly exhibit the rhythmic consistency of the cadence and impact. Entries may be asked to individually perform the Fino gait in a figure eight. To be judged 75% on performance at the Classic Fino gait and smoothness; 15% on appearance, conformation and way of going; and 10% on manners. English tack is required. Schooling horses may wear training headgear. Attire is the official Paso Fino Show outfit. CLASSIC FINO CHAMPIONSHIP To be eligible, horses must have been properly entered, shown and judged in one of the Classic Fino classes. PASO PERFORMANCE CLASS Horses are to be shown at a Paso Corto, a Paso Largo and a collected walk in that sequence and then reverse and repeat. Horses should be alert and show definite but controlled spirit. Increase in speed from corto to a largo should be easily detected. To be judged 30% on performance at the Paso Corto; 30% on performance at the Paso Largo; 10% on performance at the walk; 20% on appearance, conformation and way of going; 10% on manners. Special attention shall be afforded to form, smoothness and rhythmic constancy of the gaits. English tack required. Schooling horses may be shown in training headgear. Attire is to be the official Paso Fino outfit. PASO PERFORMANCE CHAMPIONSHIP To be eligible, horses must have been properly entered, shown and judged in one of the performance classes. PASO PLEASURE CLASS Horses are to be shown at a Paso Corto, Paso Largo and a walk, in that sequence, then reverse and repeat. Horses are to go in a more relaxed manner than in performance class. To be judged 25% on performance at a Paso Corto; 25% on performance at the Paso Largo; 10% performance at the walk; 40% on manners, conformation, attitude and a way of going. Refusal to back disqualifies the horse from placement. The tack and headgear for the horse may be of any variety that would be in good taste. Riders attire shall consist of a long sleeved shirt, full-length trousers, tailored jacket or vest, hat and riding boots. Women may wear skirts, culottes or gaucho pants that are long enough to cover the knees while seated in a saddle along with knee-high boots. PASO PLEASURE CHAMPIONSHIP To be eligible, horses must have been properly entered, shown and judged in one of the Paso Pleasure classes. PASO TRAIL CLASS The course is to include a minimum of six obstacles and a maximum of eight. Horses are shown individually through the obstacles, after which the horses will be lined up and asked to back. The class is to be judged 100% on the obstacle course. Horses not properly performing the obstacles and the gaits required shall be excused. Tack and dress may be either Western Pleasure or the Paso Pleasure. PASO COSTUME CLASS OPEN Horses will demonstrate their favorite Paso gait and stand in a line-up on display. To be judged 80% on attractiveness of costuming and appropriateness and completeness of the costuming idea; 10% on the brilliance of the gait and carriage; and 10% on manners. Costume should be depictive of the Latin American or Spanish origins and history of the breed. Entries must submit a brief statement (100 words or less) on the cultural significance of their costumes. PASO WESTERN PLEASURE OPEN Horses to be shown at a Paso Corto, walk, lope, walk, reverse and repeat in that sequence. Horses will be required to back. To be judged 35% on the performance at the Paso Corto: 30% on the performance at the lope; 10% on performance of the flat walk; and 25% on manners, attitude and way of going. Tack must consist of Western tack and Western outfit. PASO VERSATILITY Horses are to be shown at a collected Paso Corto, collected Paso Largo, collected walk, collected canter, walk and reverse in that sequence. Horses are required to execute a figure eight at a corto and to back. To be judged 20% on the performance at the canter; 40% on the back, jump, manners and figure eight. Attire is to be English pleasure, as defined in Paso Pleasure Division. EQUITATION This class is held only in the Youth Division and is to be judged 100% on equitation. Results as shown by the performance of the horse are not to be considered more important than the method used in obtaining them. Horses shown in this class will perform the required Paso gaits. The attire is to be the official Paso Fino Show outfit and tack to be English. COUNTRY PLEASURE The Paso Fino Country Pleasure Horse should be a calm, mild-mannered, safe, using pleasure horse maintaining balance, ease and freedom of movement. It must demonstrate flawless manners. This class is judged 20% on Walk; 20% on Corto; 20% on Largo; 10% on appearance and way of going; and 20% on manners. Class requirements include a back from the line-up, dismount from the left, walk around the front of the horse, remount from the right side and return to the line-up. Tack and attire shall be the same as described in the Pleasure Division. |
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