The Paso Fino Horse Association’s 32nd Annual Grand National Horse Show was held, September 19-25 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, GA. Employees of the fairgrounds put forth the extra effort to get stalls prepared for those needing to arrive early to escape the wrath of Hurricane Ivan and to remain during Hurricane Jeanne. Though the weather kept a few people away, 822 horses and more than 1,700 entries, ridden by youth and adults, were slated to compete for a variety of titles throughout the week-long competition.

The days were filled with classes that displayed the talents of Fino, Performance and Pleasure horses, ridden by youth, amateur and professionals. The threat of hurricanes immediately prior to and following the competition did little to dampen the spirits of those competing. A variety of clinics, entertainment and contests rounded out a full week filled with fun at the Paso Fino Horse Association’s 32nd Annual Grand National Championship Show.

This year’s Breeder’s Sweepstakes classes offer a combined sum of $24,766.57 to be awarded to the top six placings in The Breeder’s Sweepstakes Bellas Formas classes for yearling fillies and colts. The winner in the Breeder’s Sweepstakes 2003 Fillies, by unanimous decision, was Coloso`s Serafina, shown by Bill Minter and owned by Dwayne Tilley and Bill Minter. For the first place finish, Tilley and Minter took home $2,918.91 in prize money. As the owner of Ponderosa Coloso, the sire of Coloso`s Serafina, Paul E. Mercer will be awarded a check for $972.97. In the Breeder’s Sweepstakes 2003 Colts, Hidalgo de Jaranero and handler Cindy Griffeth took top honors and a check for $2,653.56 for owner Janice Sullivan. As the owner of Hidalgo de Jaranero’s sire, JLM’s Jaranero, Fantasy Paso Fino Farm and Barbara Perich received a check for $884.52.

For the first time in the history of the Geldings for Gold competition, one owner swept all three divisions. Dick Miller of Des Moines, IA, is the owner of Artillero Arroyo Maraca, winner of the Pleasure Geldings for Gold and the Performance Geldings for Gold competition, and Altanero de L.M. who won the Fino Geldings for Gold Competition. The total payout for the three first place finishes was $4,380.00.

The first Mare Belly Auction, held to benefit the Youth Scholarship Fund, was a big success, raising more than $40,000. The packages offered consist of the opportunity to own an embryo transfer foal from Manuela del Conde, Promesa del Juncal, Teoria de la Luisa or Veronica de la Victoria and a breeding to one of a select group of stallions on the approved stallion list.

All proceeds raised from this auction will fund the PFHA Youth Committee Scholarship Program, used to provide scholarships to PFHA youth members. Scholarships will be awarded to youth members based upon need, academic qualifications, association involvement and community service.

For complete results from the show, visit the PFHA’s web site at www.pfha.org.