Well, I went to the La Fortuna auction last night. I was just going to watch and help out if I could. The place looked great. Fresh paint, the fence was back up (from after last hurricane season), decorations looked festive, Aguila Beer girls looked hot, and El Fogon Campesino had delicious meat cooking over the fire.

The first horse was brought out (Mina de la Fortuna) and there seemed to be some confusion. The announcer never started the bidding, only gave the horses info. :confused and since they were mainly speaking spanish over the mic, I wasn't sure what just happened. :?: So I went to ask Orlando what happend. He explained the announcers mistake, but he was kinda glad the mare didn't sell. She was one of his favorites. Soooooo.....he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. :shock: We worked out a deal.....and now I am the proud half owner of the beautiful black fino mare.....La Mina!!!! She will stay at La Fortuna and we will share expenses on her. But I get to SHOW HER.
(Now Orlando and I will be competing in the same class on our La Fortuna fino mares.)

I am so excited and happy. It was the last thing I was expecting to happen that night. 8-)

So here is a reminder of how good La Mina and I look together.




Her you can see the only tiny speck of white on her forehead. I think it is a faint marking b/c there is no white skin under it.


Her is Mom on Mina

Wow, that is a nice looking mare! She has great conformation! I've always wanted to try riding a Paso Fino - never had the chance.

Thanks for noticing she is a beauty.
What area do you live in? I specialize in finding Paso test rides for folks. B)

I live in Portland, OR. I'd love to test ride a Paso!

Ok, here's what I have so far for you. One person said :"Hi!

I am located about 70 miles south of Portland, not far off I-5. I know of one other
farm that has a few pasos about 50 miles se of portland. And then there are a few
others farther."

How close to you is this?

Awww your horse is SO pretty! I always wanted a horse! Thank you for sharing!

Here are some pix from yesterday.

Here she tried to grab up the only clump of grass in the arena, and it came right up alright. She shook it good too. lol

I love her! She looks like a very sweet horse!

Bayou- Have you ridden much? What part of the country are you in?

I haven't got to ride in a few years. I miss it! We live in Louisiana outside of Baton Rouge. I've loved horses all my life and my daughter loves horses also. We live in out of the city limits which if we had the room we could have a horse. It kills me to see horses and know that I can't have one. :(

Pasogirlz, your horse is very pretty. I had to laugh at the picture of her with the clump of grass in her mouth. She looks like she got caught with her hand in the cookie jar! HA I love to look at horses but am not a rider.
Ellen

Bayou-....how far are you willing to travel to play horsey?

I have two offers from members of my Paso Fino bb. One is about an hour away, and the other is about 2 1/2.
Check this thread for details.
http://americanpasofinos.com/forum/viewtop...6549&highlight=

I would love to go but finding the time to do it is the hard part for me. I'm a full time mom. I'll check out the website...Thank you!

Hey pasogirlz, I joined that message board :) Thank you so much!

I saw you. I do hope you find the time to visit some of those folks. They are all great ppl. My site has many members who are currently horseless but still connected thru the bb. And some who are learning all they can before they purchase their first Paso. So enjoy. B)

Cool! Sounds great! Thank you again!

That really is a lovely horse! Enjoy her!

Look how we did at our first show! I am so proud of my Mina.

do you know any one around shelbyville tn that would be willing to teach younger kids to ride?

Let me see what I can find for ya. How far are you willing to drive?

depeds on cost i have 3 children 4 and under but maybe like 50 miles or something

Wow! you sure have your hands full.

So the lessons are for the kids under three?

no my oldest will be 5 in november so she is really ot that young she is the only one that has any interest in riding. thanks so much for all your help

I sent an email to someone in that area, but they have not responded yet. But there was a big show last weekend they might have traveled to. So I'll try again.
Five is a pretty good age to start some lessons and get familar w/horses. I was riding by that time. B)

thanks so much!! i hope they respond yea she has bee on horses before but we want her to learn right so lessons would be best way to go. she has a great interest in it!!

I've been on a horse once. When I was about 7, my mother forced a girl at my school to invite me to her house (I've never had people who wanted to be friends). She was pretty rich. I got on her horse and walked a few steps. I haven't been invited to get on a horse since. I'm 33. Neighbors on two sides have horses but they've never socialized with us. I asked once when I was a kid to ride one of their horses, and they said no. I used to sneak carrots to the horses.

thats how people are here we live i tennessee walking horse country here and everyone has 500,000$ horses so they arent to keen on a 4 yr old riding it!!

Ok Robyn....what part of the country are you in? I forgot. I bet I can find someone who would be happy to have you test ride one for fun. Paso ppl are really proud of their horses and go out of their way to be good ambassadors to the breed.

Jess, there are some paso ppl like that too, but most everyone tries to have what we call the "demo" horse for guests. Like my trainer won't let anyone but me and him ride my black mare. But we use my moms mare to test ride lots of folks. B)


edited to say: Robyn I see you are in Maryland. I think we can hook you up! What city?

Hey Robyn, hope you got my emails back.

There is someone else that might even be closer (same town almost) to you, but I haven't been able to get there contact numbers yet. Still working on it.
But the person I emailed you about is a gem. And I have met her in person recently, so no worries.

Now you do. B)

Update:
I found a place TEN minutes from you Robyn.... sent you an email w/the details. No excuses missy. The horse they have for you to ride was used while the owner was in a wheel chair due to a tumor growing between her spin and shoulders. She is recovering marvelous, but the point is....the horse is very safe for beginners, so go for it!!! And take lots of pix for us.