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NEW YORK CITY! Wow, what an experience for
the Paso Fino Lover! I had heard and seen reports and pictures from
last years riders who attended the NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE,
and I was really keen to experience what I had read about, but never
in my wildest dreams, did I expect to be touched so deeply as I was
that beautiful Sunday parade day!
The New York Times headlines reported on
June 11th 2007, “As 5th Avenue brims with pride, even the horses
dance”. Yes, our horses were indeed dancing down 5th Avenue, on June
10th, 2007, and the crowd was loving it! The parade is held annually
on the second Sunday in June to celebrate the Puerto Rican heritage.
The Paso Fino horse has it roots buried deep in Puerto Rican soil and
the Puerto Rican people carry on an active love affair with their
beautiful Paso Fino horses.
The parade, celebrating its 50th year, was
routed right down 5th Avenue, next to Central Park, and was about 40
city blocks in length. The streets were lined 10 to 15 deep with
people flying the Puerto Rican flag, blowing whistles, and screaming
at the top of their lungs. Most of them were dressed in the flag
colors and many had painted their faces to match.
As we entered the parade route, Kelly Finn
led the way, flying the Puerto Rican flag, riding her horse
Constantino. Close behind three beautiful young ladies dressed in
costume came next. Lori Ford was riding her fino mare La Mina De La
Fortuna; Abby Stafford was riding her beautiful grey gelding Novio;
and Kim Wallace was riding her 4-year-old grey stallion Centauro. Our
parade co-coordinator Jose Rubero and his lovely wife Sue have ridden
the parade since the year 2000, on their beautiful Pasos Cancionero De
La Estampa and Comanche De Montana.
Each year Jose takes the responsibility to
deal with the parade officials to secure a place for the Paso Fino
horses in the parade. A special thanks to Jose for all he has done to
promote our wonderful breed! There were fourteen horses in the parade,
and Juan Parades rode Sue’s horse Comanche for half of the parade
making the rider count fifteen. We had ten (10) riders from MA, two
(2) from CT, and three (3) from FL. Thanks Sue for allowing another
person to experience this thrill of a lifetime!
The crowds went wild when they saw the Paso Finos coming down the
street. Everyone reached out to touch the horses as we went past. I
was so enthralled by the crowd; I couldn’t help but go from side to
side, letting people touch my horse. Candee took it all in stride,
like she had done it every day of her life! I was a little worried
about some of the horses, as I knew my daughter Barbi Reyes was riding
our buckskin gelding, Tequila, and I wasn’t too sure what his reaction
would be, but to my surprise, within a block, he too, was nosing into
the crowd, letting people touch his muzzle. As I looked around, I
could see that everyone else was doing the same…it was contagious and
the horses were enjoying the interactions too. I watched Jay Rios
riding his mare, Alfonsina, and his lovely wife Mari Rivera, riding
her 24-year-old mare Bruja entertaining the crowd with their beautiful
horses.
Some of the riders concentrated on showing off the Paso Fino gaits,
riding up and down the street. Luis Rivera was riding his beautiful
black gelding and had a small Puerto Rican flag attached to his
bridle. He was also sporting a huge Paso grin the entire parade! |
The crowd loved it! Jose Martinez was riding his beautiful sorrel
mare, Misteriosa De La Pluma and was putting on quite a show.
Francisco Jusino “Pancho” also had his beautiful mare “Face” dancing
down the street to the delight of the crowd. And last but certainly
not least, Juan Velez “Wachi” was riding he gorgeous palomino
stallion, Soledado De La Pluma. What a beautiful group of horses to
represent the Paso Fino breed to the world!
The crowds were just beside themselves to experience the feel and
touch of the horses. The older parade goers particularly moved me. In
their weathered faces you could see that far away look in their eyes,
and know they were remembering the Paso Fino horses of their past. The
sons and daughters of this older generation were beckoning to us,
begging us to please come close so their parents could see and touch
the horses. They would thank us with shimmering tears of joy in their
eyes, as we allowed the horses to take them back to days of old. It
was one of the most profound experiences to watch the way these people
interacted with the horses. Mothers and fathers would lift their
children so they could touch a Paso Fino, explaining to them about the
horses of Puerto Rico.
We had numerous “walkers” and “banner carriers” who accompanied us
down 5th Avenue. The Parade Committee requires walkers and ours they
did a really great job and they are the reason we have so many
wonderful pictures to share with everyone. Melanie Bassetti, who drove
with me from Florida to trailer our horses up, was responsible for all
my pictures and helped to carry the banner in turn with the other
walkers! I don’t think I could have made the trip without her help, as
she was my “navigator” for the trip! Laura Stewart, and Linda Klay
also took pictures and helped to carry the banner, along with Nelson
(Jerry) and Daniel Cruz. Daniel is only 5 years old, and walked the
whole parade route with us! John Muniz also walked with us, just in
case anyone needed help, especially Kelly since she was carrying the
flag. Tony Mendes was our “press rep” and did an interview mid-parade.
He did have to leave early to catch a plane but he was enthralled in
the whole parade experience right along with the rest of us!
Most of us were so involved with the crowd, that we had no idea what
buildings we passed. I was shocked to see in the pictures, some of the
beautiful buildings we had passed, and I didn’t even see them!
If you are looking for the ultimate Paso Fino experience, New York in
June is the place to find it. Many of you might say…my horse has never
been in a parade like that. Well, more than half of the horses this
year, and most of the horses last year had never experienced anything
like that either, but it was amazing how easily the horses took to the
crowds and the noise. Candee had never been in a parade, or even at a
horse show, but she took to it like a duck in water. So come and join
the fun next year! See you in New York City in June!! For more
information, as June approaches, you can contact Jose or Lori at
www.americanpasofinos.com. We will all be discussing the plans for
2008. Just look for the “NYC Parade” thread or simply join up and ask
about it.
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