Re: Paso Finos

[CMKSAGEHIL <CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com>]

Excuuuuuuuuuse, me, Lynn-Marie!!!  At no point did I condemn Pasos as a breed
in my post to Ride camp.  I stated the following FACTS:  I have seen
approximately half a dozen; one has done well.  After vetting approximately
250 rides and somewhere between 10,000 and 12,000 entries, I think I am
qualified to evaluate individual horses to that extent.  Whatever conclusions
you draw about the breed based on those statements are your own.  I personally
would not seek one out if I wanted a contender for the World Games, but then I
wouldn't pick a Quarter Horse, either, and I have seen some pretty decent ones
on the circuit from time to time.  As I stated, if completing rides on a Paso
is your goal, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.  I see a lot of
people do just that on Foxtrotters, Tennessee Walkers, you-name-it--most are
not "competitive" but they have a good time.  Not a thing wrong with that.  I
don't try to beat the QH's at 440 yards on my Arabs, either--doesn't mean I
don't enjoy a good sprint every now and again.  All breeds have things they
are "best" at--it isn't an insult to any breed at all to not be the "chosen"
at something that is another breed's forte.  I continue to be supportive of
all the non-Arabs that compete, and always will be, but I would be less than
honest not to express my observations as I see them.

Heidi Smith, DVM--Sagehill Arabians (Oregon)