"Maria Luisa," has been reprinted here with the permission of the author, Barbara Preiss of La Caballeriza Paso Finos, pictured above with Patriot de Vez, a great grandson of Maria Luisa.
This article is about Maria Luisa PFHA #2425 Born 1-1-52 until recorded death 1982. Maria Luisa was a very special Paso Fino mare. She was imported from Puerto Rico in 1960 by Captain Ira Meeth. She was owned by Le Roy Thonpson of Brandon , Fl. at the time of her death. Maria was a 26 year old white mare when this writer was first introduced to her. She was not very big in size. One ride on her however left the rider aware that no great height or size was needed. Riding her convinced her mount that no other breed could match her heart or smoothness. Her gait was flawless. It was God made-not man made. She was first out and first in on a trail ride from 9:30 am until 1:30 am the next day. "Maria had an incredible natural soft gentle gait and made a great contribution to the Paso Fino Horse World" quoted Rosalie Mc Williams as recent as 2-29-00. She also stated she will never forget her intelligence. (Rosalie Mac Williams was quite well know for her knowledge of the breed as a judge and registrar). Maria's age would only be recognized by the wrinkles in her face. She was really snow white in color but would be called cremello in today's call. No one knew the grey that would ordinarily be showing. She asked no rider to ever allow for her age even at 28 years old when she carried a little girl 10 miles on a "Ride for Research" in Lutz , Fl. in 1978. She had her last foal , Tia Maria, at 24 years old. Her heart was not only good in stamina but in her care for her riders whether young or old. One time the little 7 year old girl riding Maria looked over to another rider and spread her arms out wide and said, "Look , Maria knows her "indructions". No hands!" Maria enjoyed her rides. She would watch the airplanes up above or look for things along the path such as butterflies, birds, etc. Rosalie also shared a comment made by Jan Cook, a former owner, made when one of her daughters was not in from a ride yet. She said, "I wouldn't worry about Candy if she was on Maria." The little mare , Maria Luisa, made all other breeds seem little desired compared to her. She was so smooth one could ride her all day without pain anywhere. She needed only to know what her mount wanted her to do. When a rider of many breeds experienced her ride, they would know that whatever breed she was , her breed was the one you would want. Maria Luisa was special, one knew!. She not only became special to her many riders, she produced sons that made her known by the Paso Fino Horse World. When she foaled Sombre LaCE, Sombre was known for the golden palomino stallion that he was. Later years, would show he passed his dam thru his daughters. Many became Dams of the year or produced Grand National Champions. Sombrilla Z , a daughter of Sombre became the #2 dam of the year in 1984 and 1985. Her owner states National awards earned by her sons and daughters are too numerous to mention. It is known that Sombre's daughter Dorado de Borascoso #764 produced Doradita de Cabildo #4666 that was a Grand national champion in performance. Her son Frio Viento # 1061 was a twice national and Grand in fino. He sired 24 registered offspring. Two of his daughters carried his dam's gait right thru to his daughters. They were Hija de Los Vientos and Otra de Vez. They both defeated past Grands Soledad Que Tal and Rincona LaCE in the state Championships. Her last son to win a championsip was Camarad T. Butch Carty was told this gelding was a full brother to Frio and that he was flawless in gait too. Butch convinced Camarad T that the rider was supposed to remain in the saddle without help getting off. Camarad T went to Nationals in 1980 and won the national champion fino gelding. Camarad also went on to win multiple other championships for the youth in classes such as equitation, etc. with Laura and Clint Roberts. The Roberts grandchildren later rode him in Lead Line classes. Maria had other foals, Corito and Novita. They were full brother and sister to Sombre LaCE. Novita #219 was a little sweetheart that was not respected very much as she was very small. She was 8 years old when she was discovered by me as a "diamond in the rough". All of the owners of her offspring no matter what the sire was loved and respected them for their accurate gait. She had 13 offspring. Manero de Vez is a Reserve National champion in Pleasure. He is a son of Novita. Her daughters were loaned to people that rode 20 or more miles per day on the Osceola Wagon Train here in Fl. These riders had back braces, age, etc. but they could ride them all day. Corito # 6080 , was Novita's full brother and sired 28 offspring. Gait was always exceptional. Here again, no matter what the dams that he bred were. Patron de Omega #536 was a golden buckskin son of Maria. He was the 1979 national champion in fino. He sire 13 Paso Finos. Tia Maria de Omega #1355 produced 4 paso finos and possibly more in past years. If I had the privilege of riding Maria Luisa, seeing her offspring winning nationals and grands, and riding her offspring one would vote to name her the Puerto Rican Dam of Champions. She was chosen as the Dam of Puerto Rican Champions in 1978. She was chosen only by her offsprings' titles. I wonder what her title would have been if they would have had the privilege of riding her. Barbara Preiss |
|
|
CC PasoFinos |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
