We proudly present them to you!

On November 30th and December 1st and 2nd the Interpaso 2001 Paso Fino competition was held at Rancho Monte Blanco. Competitors from Aruba, Curacao and Venezuela participated in three days of competition. A lot of horse lovers and tourists came to Rancho Monte Blanco to see the competition. Rancho Del Campo besides being one of the sponsors of the competition also participated with three horses in the event.


Inaugural ceremony of the competition. The flags of the three participating countries are being displayed. (Aruba, Curacao and Venezuela)


Kenneth Faustin of Rancho Del Campo together with Mr. Don Bello, one of Aruba's first leisure horse owners.

Rancho del Campo trainer and horse are waiting to show their best.

It was a spectacular event with a lot of visitors. 18 horses came from Curacao for the competition. Some horses were expected from Venezuela, but at the last minute they cancelled. A highlight of the competition was when on Saturday night Alex Mansur introduced two large mules, which had just arrived from Venezuela and Herby Merrywheater introduced a mule of his own. The mules gave a spectacular show in the "Trocha" gait, which is one of the Paso Fino gaits. This was the first time on Aruba that we experienced a show of mules doing the "Trocha". In Colombia mules also participate in the regular scheduled Paso Fino competition. It is expected that, in the not to distance future, Aruba will also have mules participating in their category during our International Paso Fino competition.


The show can begin!


The overall level was high and the horses showed their best "Trote" "Trocha" and pure "Paso Fino" gait. The best and most beautiful horses were all there performing on stage. It is just amazing to think that in just a couple of decades Aruba as well as Curacao have horses of such high competition level. Because of this we are now able to compete in the yearly World Paso Fino competitions. This is all thanks to the dedication of a lot of horse enthusiasts who have invested lots of money to purchase horse abroad or to breed their horses with the best bloodlines in the world of the Paso Fino. On Aruba we now have the bloodlines of famous horses such as: Resorte IV, Capuchino, Atrevido, Resorte de San Juan and Throtol.

The horse riders were mostly men but the competitive girls gave them a run for their money.

Several Paso Fino competitions are held on Aruba yearly. It is our intention to keep you posted on these competitions and do a short summary of each competition and post this on our website. So keep on the look out for more!!!

Here are some of the pictures at the competition.

The Paso Fino competition was not only enjoyed by adults but also by young ones.

Here we see Nito Kock of Rancho Del Campo preparing his horse prior to entering the ring.

Several riders preparing to saddle their horses.

There was a friendly atmosphere among the competitors.



Various riders receiving their prizes.

Winners.

For the last four years Steve and Kathy have been coming to Aruba. The beautiful scenery, the perfect weather and the friendly people make them come back year after year. The Arikok National Park Arikok, reminds them of the countryside back home in Arizona. Traveling to Aruba for four months a year is a nice way to survive the cold winter back home in Chicago.

It was four years ago that Steve and Kathy visited Rancho Del Campo for the first time. They knew one of the tour guides working at the ranch and that is how they heard of the ranch. They tried a tour and they loved it. Kathy remembers: "The horses were excellent and well trained, you can really trust them. The tour guides were more than friendly and very helpful. During the tour they made me feel very comfortable since it was my first time on a horse. The scenery was just fabulous and we got to learn a lot about the history of the Arikok National Park. The scenery you see at the top of the hills in the National Park is just indescribable".

The first time they visited the ranch they immediately got the 'cowboy' feeling. The atmosphere at the Ranch made them feel like cowboys. "At the ranch, there is a friendly hostess, you hear nice music, it is a real 'dude' ranch, very authentic."

Kathy's favorite horse is 'Alexan'. "The horse is five years old very beautiful and has a nice color. It really has his own character and that is what makes it special and my favorite."

Steve 's favorite horse since day one was 'Bonita'. He fell so much in love with her that he relentlessly pursued the ranch to sell him the horse. Finally a year ago the ranch capitulated and sold him the horse. Now Steve has his own horse on Aruba, which he loves very much. When they stay on Aruba, you can find Steve at the ranch almost every day taking care of his horse. He rides often and most of the time he accompanies the daily tour with his horse.

When we asked Steve and Kathy what is their ultimate dream, they unanimously answered: "To someday retire on Aruba buy a small house, live the slow pace life and go horseback ridding as often as possible".


Bonita, Steve, Kathy and Alaxan

From the mix of Arab, Andalusian and now extinct Spanish Barb came a relatively small but durable and powerful breed of horses tagged by the Conquistadors as the Paso Fino or 'Fine Walk'. These horses exhibited a tremendous stamina, strength and a very smooth series of gaits or steps that won the hearts and dedication of many generations of explorers and horse lovers.

Interbred over time with the European stock, the Paso Fino disappeared into the wild mustang herd of the North American mainland over the next few hundred years. However, the Latin breeders in South America especially Colombia, together with the Caribbean Islands valued, bred and finessed the breed into what we call today the modern Paso Fino horse.

Paso Fino horses
The Paso Fino is a horse for all seasons, a horse for all climates, and a horse for different purposes. From the Florida keys to the Pacific Northwest, and from southern California to New England, Eastern Canada, Puerto Rico and Colombia. The Paso Fino horse demonstrated its remarkable versatility not just in the show ring, but also on competitive trail and endurance rides, dressage work, rodeo, gymkhana, and back at the ranch-working cattle. And he does it all with a gait that provides unparalleled comfort for the rider. The energy efficient Paso Fino, with its unexcelled versatility, and unique comfort for the rider, opens a New World for horse lovers.

The Paso Fino is a naturally stylish horse. A good Paso Fino has a refined head, small ears, a long proudly carried neck, and overall good saddle conformation. The Paso Fino horse 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 conveys; strength and power without extreme muscling. Paso Fino horses range from 14hh to 16hh with the most typical weight ranging from 700 to 1100 pounds. Paso Fino colors are often unusual, featuring sorrels, grullas, palominos, duns and even pintos. Full solid blacks and white plus a range of grays add to the collection.

The gait
The gait of the Paso Fino is horse is totally natural and normally exhibited from birth. It is an evenly spaced four-beat lateral gait with each foot contacting the ground independently in a regular sequence at precise intervals creating a rapid, unbroken rhythm. The gait does not exhibit the catapulting or exaggerated leg action of manmade gaits; rather the movements are smooth, rhythmic, purposeful, straight, balanced in flexion and synchronous front to rear, resulting in unequaled comfort and smoothness for the rider. The Paso Fino is a graceful, agile and supple equine athlete that uses all four legs with precision and harmony.

Classic Fino: Forward speed is very slow, and the footfall is extremely rapid while the steps and extension are exceedingly short.

As you can see, the Paso Fino's exceptionally smooth ride, a natural 4 beat gait with the motion being absorbed through the back and loins, combined with their fabulous temperament create the ideal riding horse, experience it yourself!
Just try one of them at Rancho Del Campo and convince yourself that the Paso Fino is really the Cadillac of horses.

As you can see, the Paso Fino's exceptionally smooth ride, a natural 4 beat gait with the motion being absorbed through the back and loins, combined with their fabulous temperament create the ideal riding horse, experience it yourself at Rancho Del Campo!