The passion for
Peruvian Pasos
Standing
in the crossties nearby was Romantico, a beautiful red boy with a luxurious
mane and tail, winner of multiple awards and competitions. As Cheryl, the Calentine’s daughter, and I visited about the fun and
excitement surrounding her life with the Pasos, a big
fluffy black cat planted itself on top of the tape recorder, muffling the
recorded words with purrs.
“I’ve
been riding since I was 6-years-old,” purred Cheryl, “but after being
introduced to the Peruvian Pasos, I have really
become devoted to them. I have found them so versatile that now we compete in
the North American Trail Ride Competitions.
“This
is a serious 40 mile competition with all breeds of horses and all ages and
types of riders taking part,” she went on. “I have noticed that when riding a
Paso, my muscles aren’t sore, nor am I as tired. They have this natural, inherited four-beat gait
that is the trademark of the breed, and it gives the rider a very smooth, easy
ride. Apparently, the Peruvian Pasos are well suited
for this strenuous contest, as we have gotten either first or second all year.”
Perhaps,
we could say that the Calentines are on a mission to
show California how many different things the Pasos
can do well, and that these unique horses can be famous for things other than
having gaits so smooth that one can drink champagne while riding them.
“I
have also started entering gymkhanas, but a Peruvian Paso is not a Quarter
Horse,” Cheryl admitted.
“Some
Peruvians do better than others, just as some Quarter Horses are better at
cutting or reining. But remember that they were bred to work on plantations,
cover ground, and they do have cow sense,” she said.
“I
may not win, but I’ll have the time of my life doing it. Romantico
enjoys the pole bending the most. He really likes to have fun!” she said.
“I
recently took him to a Dressage clinic and he actually placed first.”
Karen Calentine
joined us, dressed in her riding clothes. She told me, “My husband, Robert, and
I bought two Peruvian Pasos
for trail riding when we lived in Aspen, Colo. We loved their smooth gaits so
much that we started raising them, and were happy to find Peruvian Paso
activity already established here in the Santa Ynez Valley.
“I
like a horse that is sure footed, compliant and good on the trail as well as
comfortable to ride,” she added. “You hear about Peruvians as having ‘mucho
brio.’ This translates into enthusiasm for what they are doing.
“There
is show ring brio, which is fiery and exciting, but true brio is controlled
energy. It is heart and a willingness to do as you ask. They want to please
you,” she said.
Karen
and Cheryl invited us to go out to the paddocks and visit with the horses. We
entered one field where some rowdy young colts had been carrying on, but as
soon as they saw us they quieted down and came over to exchange kisses. They
were perfect gentlemen.
Another
field had stallions that also were friendly, affectionate, and well mannered.
It was evident that these were happy horses that genuinely liked people.
The
Calentines are possibly the only valley people who
now participate in horse activities outside of trail, pleasure riding, parades
and showing, but this may change. There are several clubs that are looking to ad new activities, including musical exercises. There is a
large club called Los Amigos, covering the Los Angeles area, and a Central
Coast club, which also has many members. Their innovative shows have various
interesting events and games, one of which is a gymkhana.
Peruvian
Paso horses, with their traditional, unique tack and riders dressed in white
with colorful ponchos and wide brimmed hats, make a dramatic appearance. They
are truly spectacular in parades and in the show ring. But for every day
riding, many riders just use a western saddle. The five gaits include the walk,
paso llano, sobreandando,
pace and finally, the canter. Over 400 years of selective breeding has refined
the quality of these horses that trace their heritage back to the Andalusian and the Barb. The lateral gait seems to have
come from the Spanish Jennet.
Spanish
horses arrived in Santa Domingo with Columbus in 1493 and Francisco Pizarro
took sixty-two horses to Cajamarca, Peru in 1532, which was the seat of the
Inca government. The Peruvian Pasos arrived in
America about thirty-five years ago and their popularity has steadily grown,
and now there are myriad clubs around the country and two associations full of
passionate owners. Our most Paso-prone states are Oregon, Washington, Arizona,
Colorado, Texas and California.
If
you’ve ever had a secret daydream of riding a beautiful horse in a parade to
the cheers of the crowd, you’re in good company. Perhaps you’re wearing a
wonderful costume and your horse goes into this spectacular gait, with mane
flying, and the crowd catches the passion. If so, your steed could very well be
a Peruvian Paso.
The
Santa Ynez Valley has a number of Peruvian Paso owners, and several large
ranches in addition to the Calentine’s Hacienda La Cumbre. The Larry Redmans of
Rancho Chahuchu are very active at shows.
Brian
and Terry Jarchow have Rancho de la Florencita,
and they show and trail ride for pleasure on their “smooth-as-silk” horses. At
the recent Scottsdale Carousel Charity Horse Show, the Jarchow’s
twelve-year-old stallion, RDLF Sol Peruano, won all
his classes and was proclaimed champion breeding stallion and best gaited horse
of show.
Heinz and Sylvia Reusser were
probably the first to bring the Peruvians to the valley, and Maidy Dreyfuss has D Ranch in
Solvang, with trainer Tony Botello. The Mazzi family, in Buellton, trains Peruvians; other owners
include Trish Palmer; Lindy and Pierre Kern; Louise Clark and John Carbon; and
Jim and Rosie Carroll. You can watch them making a spectacular appearance in
the Fiesta Parade next year … unless, of course, you have decided to join them!