The second day of the horse show was all about performance. Both gait and training were highlighted in the various classes. The riders were all decked out in traditional Peruvian attire and the horses were all beautifully groomed.
The judge from the first day was back for the morning classes which were all about gait. The Peruvian Paso is a naturally gaited horse and the only breed where any foal from pureblood parents will be guaranteed to be gaited.
At the end of the arena opposite where the competing horses entered there was a small group of riders and horses just waiting. Perhaps they were there for some type of safety reason.
It was fun to see the traditional attire and tack. Peruvian tack is quite unique and a little confusing to the uneducated observer (that would be me).
This horse won its class.
One of the classes we watched was "Get of Sire". These were groups of three horses who all had the same father.
The judge had them perform in a traditional fashion - all line up and travel down the length of the arena in a row. Some horses did better with this than others.
They all then formed a tight circle and performed for the audience.
The next class was the Ranch or Breeder's Conjunto which was three horses either owned or bred by a ranch. We did hear that combining the two was frowned upon by the purists.
This group won the class and rightly so. They were magnificent to watch, almost in constant synchronicity.
Next were the performance classes. The horses gaited at different speeds, rode through poles, made tight circles in the arena, and then were required to demonstrate an ability to back up.
This is Silueta, a horse from my first photo essay, demonstrating her beautiful termino. This is almost a swimming motion where the leg goes out to the side, and produces the smoothest ride a person can have on a horse.
Another trait that is looked for is Brio, which really is an intangible quality that describes the presence, the dignity, the nobility of the horse.
Every one of these horse performed beautifully and all had been winners at some point in the show year.
Certain horses did stand out more than others.
We both truly had a fabulous time and left with no doubt that we would be back again next year to celebrate this wonderful breed of horse.
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Comments: 37
During the sales class, held during an intermission, we were prompted to the arena floor and visit the breeders and in some cases invited to ride horses that were for sale. I was able to ride a couple of them.
One young man stood with a blue roan filly for sale. He spoke little english, except for the price...$17,500. I said I loved the horse but didn't have the money and he replied that he would take a check.
I don't think that too many horses sold. The next day the prices had dropped about 5K a piece.
The thing I remember most, aside from their vivid colors, was watching 15 stallions, side by side, moving as one down the arena and not a single crabby one showing.
Love and hugs - S.
Your photos and captions are just great!
As they say in Peru, "Excellente! Fantastico!" I'm glad you could make the trip and look forward to next year's report.
They are beautiful, aren't they? They don't strike me as being huge horses. But they all hold their bodies and heads with such a pride of bearing. I think they enjoy being horses.
You mentioned about foals born gaited -- isn't this true for Lippizaners also? I remember the Marguerite Henry book about those horses and she said the foals did the same leaps and steps that we see in the horse shows.
Something I meant to ask: is there a Peruvian riders' association that rides in the Tournament of Roses parade every year? I keep thinking that's where I've seen those amazing manes before, and that flowing gait.
Sounds like a great time was had by you guys!