Colombian Judge opinion of USA horses

caliber · Colombian Judge opinion of USA horses

Many of us know, last weekend our new IPHF celebrated their first USA Championship and First SHOW! making History in this country, And again congratulations!

The Judge selection was impeccable! There names!

Jaime Benavides (COLOMBIA)
Mauricio Camacho (COLOMBIA)
Sharon Londono (USA)
Dr. Rolando Colon-Nebot (PUERTO RICO)
Diego Gonzales (PUERTO RICO)

Why did I highlighted Mr. Benavides name? cause ! on Fedequinas Magazine on page 42, you can find an Interview with Judge Jaime Benavidez Bermudez. I found the interview being of extreme importance and thought to (unofficially) translated and share with everyone.

Not often do we hear Judges detailed and pin their opinion or problems!.
And please look at it constructively.

Q. Como esta la calidad de los ejemplares de Estados Unidos?
Q. How is the quality of the horses in the U.S.A?

A. Me pareció que han mejorado muchísimo.Pero al mismo tiempo tienen detalles en el manejo que les impiden a sus caballos alcanzar los resultados adecuados.Compitieron unos animales muy veloces ,ágiles y de hermoso fenotipo,pero EQUIVOCADOS EN EL ANDAR.Unos trochados,otros galochados y con problemas de estabilidad en el paso.Cuando logren solucionar estos problemas con un manejo adecuado,serán difíciles de vencer en competencia,pues además,en genética y en nutrición están muy bien.

A. I think it has improved lots .But at the same time there are details on the handling of their horses that is preventing them from achieving the adequate results . They Competed horses that are very quick, agile and beautiful phenotype, but wrong in their ANDAR. Some in trocha, others problems galochados and with stability problems in their paso (gait). When they achieve to solve these problems with proper management, will be hard to beat in competitions, also in genetics and nutrition I find them to be very good.

It seemed to me that they have improved very much. But at the same time there are details in the handling, that prevent their horses from achieving the suitable results. A few very fast, agile animals competed and were of beautiful phenotype, but MISTAKEN IN THE GAIT. A few trochados, other galochados (galope and trocha combined) and with problems of stability in the gait. When they manage to solve these problems with suitable handling, they will be difficult to beat in competition, since also, in genetics and in nutrition they are very good.

Q. Que sugerencia les haría?
Q. What suggestion would you give them?

A. Veo que les hace falta tener un reglamento un poco mas exigente. Hay detalles,como las medidas de los frenos,que pueden estar afectando el rendimiento.

A. I will say they need to have more demanding regulations (rules). There are details, such as measurements of the bits, which may be affecting the horse's performance.

Yo no soy finero pero siempre que entro a esta pagina a ver un evento americano lo arriba mencionado siempre lo noto pero creía que era error mio de oido ya que observaba unos animales muy pulidos y bien armados pero con un sonido que no me gustaba.

I am not a finer, but whenever I watch (via internet) an American Show (event), I have always noticed the above mentioned, but always thought that must of been me that was hearing wrong gait since accordily to my observations they where very polished and well-armed horses, but with a sound that I did not liked.

También esta el cuento de los frenos que a su vez en Colombia también están insistiendo en el cambio de estos. sera que en Colombia si se necesita cambiar nuestro freno CCC?

Also we have the Bits theme of insisting a change in Colombia . Would it be that Colombia does need to change our CCC (caballo criollo Colombiano) bits?

BFF

I guess I need a translator for the translation....... I understand the positive things that were said but, I'm a little confused on the suggestions to fix the problems.

Kerry W

I added a refined translation in red, under the initial translation. If more clarification is needed on a specific point, please feel free to ask.

BigJ

So, I do not stand alone after all...

I concur. I believe the genetics for gait is present and healthy. However, the training and preparation in the USA has gotten worse. Once again, the horses are more advanced than the trainers. Most need to attend a 4-H class about showmanship, exhibitionism, and equestrian fundamentals.

The sad thing is spectators blame mostly the horse when it is the human. Many still think paso should gait at all times and most do not know how to recognize "correct" gait and that ambling without trotting is "gaiting". A smooth horse is not necessarily gaiting in the correct paso modality.

It is a shame our professional trainers cannot grasp this simple concept either.

Kerry W

I think our shows sort of encourage some of this. They're pretty long, with lots of classes packed into one day. Move 'em in, take a look, move 'em out. NEXT!

BigJ

I agree Kerry, but ego stands in the way.

USEF rules for time gate entrance have been modified specifically for our breed allow LONGER entrance time. Now we "must" have each horse introduced and each horse enter several paces behind the next one. In addition, the horses are not judged during this period. Then we watch as each horse in the arena stands and waits and waits and waits.

Get them in there and WORK them and not only on the board!

We let our riders get away with bad showmanship. Fino classes: most will immediately quit performing after the board routine--penalize it! Quit having the announcer say over and over and over again, "You must maintain gait at all times". Do not the riders know this? Line ups: "line up" means "line up" not practicing the training techniques! I am tired of watching the jabbing, kicking, pulling, jerking, backing and the see-sawing of "flexing". At least 50% of the trainers are "training" in a "line up". It means stand still and WAIT. Halt: Can anyone tell me what the means anymore? I'm at a loss. I thought it meant the horse stood still on cue and did not move until cued again. Penalize it! Quit having the announcer say ad nauseum "When you halt your horse must stand still and not face the railing". Again, do we not know these things? Reverses: I'd love to see that happen without riders ramming into the horse behind or in front of them or without spinning on the fore or rear. What happened to a true semi circle with the horse bent and square on all fours? Tracking: I gave this one up long time ago. Do trainers train without a rail? Can a horse track correctly in the open without needed an aid like it is blind? Penalize it!!! Rail work: Ok so our horses need a rail. Wouldn't it be nice to see one actually moving squarely instead of tracking off-side?

No instead, it is "gaiting" so we must "protect" our "champion". It is a joke.

For all of this "flexing" I see the horses are stiff, off-balanced and braced. Suppleness? Yeah, the head moves like a wet noodle that is about it, which BTW, is NOT what you want the head to do.

For all this mantra about the sounding board, may I suggest using it for precisely that and quit using it as a pacifier to spectators? I sure would like to hear one actually evenly cadenced for once.

Marleen Robinson

Candice, I so agree. That class we watched together, with the horse with the 'tongue' problem, sure, he looked funny, but he seemed to be the most relaxed, well rounded horse in the whole class. He may not have been the 'purdiest' in the bunch, but, regardless, he performed. What is perfection? What are we really looking for? I think, promoting the breed, as a whole, is most important. In my book, that means, show horses, all modalities, as well as the rec. horse, for any one! Not every one can afford a Fino horse, not everyone wants to show. Let's just keep our proud breed clean, and by all means, performing, but let us show what they are really about: All around performance, Leisurally trailrides, working cattle, 4H, kids,adults. My gelding, for one, loves to jump. My old mare, just liked to kick QH butt, on trailrides. We need to promote the versatilty of the Paso Fino, or Paso Horse as a whole. They are so well rounded, there is really one for every one, but we only seem to promote the show horses.
OK, going to my 'backyard' to enjoy my beautiful horses...

pasosx3

Felix: Thank you for posting that interview and the translations. That is exactly the kind of openness and frank discussions we need in this Breed! Not only do we need to applaud the good and the accomplishments but we need to openly identify the deficiencies as well. Unless and until we do that, we will never progress the breed in this Country. And, who better to assist us than our brethren in the very Countries (I include the Caribean Countries as well as the S. American counties, too) where the Breed originated and developed.

caliber

Thank you Becky for your kind words. I am also very appreciative when I hear respected judges like Mr. Benavidez, Ms. Angela Ochoa, Dr. Jorge Torres... and others from Colombia expressing their personal opinions and views of our breed in this country.

It is very constructive and helps us maintain the Standards of this breed at an International level, like it should be. (in my opinion)

PasoVoice main mission is to maintain the bridge open between our country (USA) and all other Paso countries. COLOMBIA and PUERTO RICO are the true parents of this wonderful 2 breeds we all love in this country. We must continue to learn and explore the breed together....... for the future of this breed, no matter what your preference is.

Saludos!

BFF

What was he suggesting about the bits? Thank you for your help as I have mentioned before I am new and just trying to learn all that I can. I appreciate your patience.

Also, BigJ- I'm just wondering, when you are showing your horses do you not find it difficult to have them hault or stand during the class? I personally have not shown but, I could see this possibly being an issue with my horse. I am assuming you are a trainer from the things you have said so, what method do use to correct this sort of behavior at home and in the show ring when you are showing your personal horses? Again, thank you so much for your help.

Sherry

Kerry W

I agree...we all love the breed. It is possible to have honest discussions, without making it personal. I felt like his statements were very well made, and appreciated the fact that he made a point of listing the positives.

BigJ