More than 550 Paso Finos came to Lexington from all corners of the United States and Canada. The Five Judge Equitable Olympic scoring system was used for the first time this year, and the judges worked intensely through the necessary phases to ensure placement of the “best” in each class. Horses close in placement were asked to complete various work-offs which included tightly gaited figure-eights, side by side work at the rail, and additional passes down the sounding board. Competitors battled through each successive phase and strove to keep their horses in even rhythm as several classes lasted for an hour or more.
The stands were full of spectators the final weekend of the show as the championships in Fino and Performance classes took place. Friends and family members who did not attend the show, both here and abroad, could watch all the classes on live streaming. Those classes and events will be uploaded free for future viewing on demand at www.PFHALive.com.
Visitors who stopped in to see the action were amazed as the quickest stepping Paso Fino horses traversed down the sounding board with the “noise of fast-pounding drums,” as some were heard describing it. Blankets of flowers, ribbons, and trophies adorned the newly crowned Grand National Champions as the joyous winner posed for pictures confirming each successive accomplishment. These trappings of success could be seen displayed proudly from stalls of the largest training farms as well as the individual Amateur Owner with a single horse.
PFHA President Lee Vulgaris gave the Kentucky Horse Park and Rick Meyer, Show Chairman, as well as his committee, rousing congratulations for the success, enthusiasm, excitement, and publicity of this event. Owners couldn’t help but share their happiness that the Paso Fino was being showcased in front of a new audience of horse lovers, many who had never even heard of the breed. Vulgaris exclaimed, “We have stepped up to the Horse Capital of the World and raised the level of our show for all our members. This show was beyond our expectations. We will see you all back in Lexington next year!”
Not only did the Paso Fino horses show their brilliance in the show ring, they also displayed their magnificent versatility in the recreational division. This component was expanded in its second year and spotlighted the breed in a vast array of exciting activities including speed events, freestyle exhibitions, obstacle courses, guided trail rides, clinics, and the ever-popular Largo Race. The full spectrum of Paso Fino versatility was on display, from the extended stride of the pleasure trail horses, to the swift gallop of the speed horses, all the way to the tight collection of the Classic Fino show horses. The best of the breed was in attendance along with the finest riders and trainers!