Soon, Velera - a liver chestnut Paso Fino mare with a very distinct crooked white blaze and the most amazingly smooth gait - was added to the small Paso Fino herd. Velera was also out of a mare and stallion brought over from Puerto Rico.
The foals produced by Carlitos, Secoya and Velera improved every year. They were excellent Breed Ambassadors and more and more people were learning about these smooth gaited horses that were such fun to ride and left you ready for more at the end of the day.
In high school I worked with a young Appaloosa gelding and rode him during my year as Queen of the Selkirk Saddle Club and Kootenai River Rodeo. Then I was off to college. While I was earning my Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science, I spent my summers working with Carlitos and the foals he sired. My Appaloosa was sold to help pay college expenses and I haven't owned anything but Paso Finos since then.
While I was in college, Mom and Dad divorced. Dad moved to Colorado, taking two of his beloved Paso Finos with him. He rode the young stallion while working as a ranch hand on a large cattle ranch east of Denver. In his 70s Dad taught his last Paso Fino "Promise" to stand next to something solid (bumper of the pickup, a stump, whatever) so he could mount more easily. They had many enjoyable miles together.
Mom stayed on the home place near Bonners Ferry with Carlitos and his small band of broodmares. Sadly, following a freak accident, Carlitos had to be put down in the summer of 1975. During his intial treatment he had become a favorite with the Veterinarians and Vet Students at Washington State University and they regretted the decision to end his suffering almost as much as Mom and I did.
We were fortunate that the following spring one of our broodmares delivered a colt who more than lived up to his sire's legacy - Compasillo, a beautiful copper chestnut. Mom also had the blessing of finding and buying the young stallion - Bacardi, sired by Carlitos while he was still in Texas.
My mother continued raising Paso Finos for another two decades. Over time, more and more people learned about the wonderful smooth gait of this breed, their intelligence and beauty. She sold horses across the western United States, including the first Paso Finos to be taken to Alaska!
When she passed away very unexpectedly in 1994, the pastures were full of broodmares and foals and she was standing two stallions.
Maridel and Larry Continue the Legacy
Syringa Ranch Paso Finos
Larry grew up in a small central Idaho town where his family worked and played in the great outdoors - archery, fishing, hiking, camping and hunting were favorite activities shared by the whole family. Larry also shared a pinto-colored pony called "Marshmallow" with his brothers and sister.
I introduced Larry to my family's Paso Finos and he's been "hooked" ever since. He enjoys trail riding and is an excellent ambassador and supporter of the Paso Fino breed. Not to mention Master Trailer Hauler, Tractor Driver Supreme, and #1 All Around "There-When-You-Need-Him" Guy!
The end of the story can't be written yet... our granddaughter is asking, "When can I have my first horse?" All of the grandkids ask, "Can we ride today?" "How are the horses doing?" "When will the new babies be born?"
Please contact us for more information about Wonderful Paso Finos
or to visit to Syringa Ranch!