PPHRNA Honors Senior Horses

NAPHA Honors
Senior Horses of the Breed

NAPHA would like to honor the Senior Horses of our Breed. Photos and information on horses over the age of 15 years will be featured here on this page. Pictures and information should be sent to the NAPHA office or e-mailed (photos as .jpg files please). Photos must be taken when the horse was at least 15 years of age.

Last Updated: February 1, 2008

Fenix -
the legendary bird who rose from the ashes. Or, in this case, the incredible brown stallion - full brother to a champion filly who died unexpectedly at age four.

The story starts there - with the beautiful Madrilena - a daughter of *Rey de la Solana (*Laurel x *Surena) and *Mariangola (Carnival x *Faraona.) Born in 1975, she was a star even as a foal -winning many classes. Then, tragically, she died on April 26, 1979 after foaling. A few days later on May 8th, her full brother was born - a strong, handsome and energetic brown colt - the epitome of a definitely masculine model of his sister. It seemed fitting to name him Fenix. It was also fitting that he followed in his sister’s successful show career - in fact, exceeding it by winning many championships and pisos titles. He became one of the first stallions in the Peruvian breed to be syndicated. And that, too, was fitting. Even though he had a stellar show career, his greatest impact on the breed was as a sire.

"The first photo I took of a Peruvian Horse was one of Fenix at the Southwest Show at the John Justin Arena. Jeanelle was leading him on a leadline and letting him graze on some grass. He was as black as the ace of spades and sparkled in the sun. I thought he was the most beautiful horse I had ever seen," recalled Peruvian Digest Editor Donna Bearer

Fenix touched everyone who met him. He was what cowboys call "an honest horse"- strong, good tempered, willing, just, proud and full of energy. But he was also an incredibly good Peruvian Horse - with plenty of brio, excellent conformation and superb pisos. These are the traits he passed on to his 237 direct sons and daughters - and 477 descendants! On February 18, 2007, Fenix was euthanized due to a colic impaction. At 28 years old, he was sound and otherwise healthy. His best friends for the last 18 years, Lucho and Jeanelle Dapelo, made the difficult decision not to put him through any more pain or surgery. He is buried on the farm beneath the pecan trees with a marker so that he will never be forgotten. Anyone who knew him or knows him through his offspring knows Fenix will never be forgotten.

*SINDICAL +

Sindical + was foaled in August of 1983 and is a National Laureado son of Cortesano + (the first U.S. bred National Laureado breeding stallion) and *Soledad. He is owned by Bellissima Farms International, Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ.

DON ROBERTO PTR

Bellissima Farms International, Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ also owns DON ROBERTO PTR - foaled April 5, 1981. This bay stallion is a son of *Sol de Oro J and Cha Cha Cha, a buckskin daughter of *El Dorado de Chachani and *Viajera Linda.

BRISA SEGURO

PPHRNA #4074
Sire: *PERULERO #1629
Dam: SEGUNDITA #2748
Date Foaled: May 06, 1982
Breeder: Mardi Dowling
Owner: McClure Family Revocable Trust, Sanger, CA.

SEGURO is pictured just before his twentieth birthday, while being enjoyed on a typical trail ride near his foothill home in Central CA. This fine stallion is still mellow of temperament, 100% sound in body, and continuing to successfully cover mares. Ridden by Ron Chandler of Sanger, CA. Photo by Bonnie McClure.

*DOMINGUITO

*Dominguito was imported in utero and is 21 years of age this year! He was born October 28, 1980 and is the first son of *HNS Domingo born in the United States. He is a Multi National Champion and Champion of Champions in BOTH the Breeding and Performance/Pleasure Divisions! At 21 years of age he is still 100% sound, not so much as even a little arthritis and he is ridden almost daily. When he's not carting my seven year old son, Tony around, teaching him to ride, he works with our ranch hand, Regulo, ponying the young horses being started under saddle. He is shown here with the multi-Champion Jr. Mare LNR Monique one of his 'students'. *Dominguito will compete at the 2001 PPHRNA U.S. National Championship Show!

*Dominguito is proudly owned by Jorge & Shawna Valenzuela and Bill & Gisela Muhlhauser - Winchester, CA.

FUEGO JF

Fuego was a Multi-Champion of Champions Luxury and Performance Gelding with an extensive show record. This picture was taken May 5, 2001. On this day, we had traveled a total of 7 hours at Pt. Reyes (California.) This photo was taken after 3 1/2 hours and after descending over 1400 feet to sea level in less than 45 minutes. Fuego, 16 years young, was in the best shape of any of the horses after going back and climbing the 1400 feet in 45 minutes and completing the 3 1/2 hour trip back for a total of 7 hours. The other horses were Jerry's Appaloosa and the TBand QH my friends were riding. Fuego and I frequently go to a B&B at Pt. Reyes and travel great distances for at least a three day duration. We also do many local trail rides. This is what a real champion does in retirement.
Isabella Restani

*H.N.S. AUREO

Sire: Orovilca

Dam: Cynthia

Breeder: Hugo Nieto, Ica, Peru

Owner: Heinz & Sylvia Reusser

Ridden by his owner, Sylvia Reusser, at 25 1/2 years of age. Aureo was born on Christmas Eve in 1974 in Ica, Peru.

Updated December 2003:

In a few days, *HNS Aureo will be 29 years old. We are still selling frozen semen and foals by him are still being born. He is in good condition, as you can see from the new photo taken in November 2003.

EL SINCHI ROCA

Photo taken on the Deadman 30 Endurance Ride which he did this past April at age 18.

(Amigo de Oro x Cereza Negra)

His Record:
1992 NATRC 1000 Mile Horse Award
1710 miles total in NATRC
1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1998 PPHRNA Trail Horse of the Year
1990, 1992, 1993 NATRC Region 2 - 5th Place Open Heavyweight Horse
1992 NATRC High Point Peruvian Paso
1994 Central Coast Peruvian Horse Club High Point Horse, Reserve Champoin Pleasure Gelding, La Paleta Show
1994 NATRC Region 2 1st Place Novice Junior Horse

Bred and owned by Gordon Plews and Lynn Kinsky - Santa Ynez, CA

GITANO JOVEN SCR

Foaled March 26, 1984

Sire: El Jefe Gitano

Dam: *RMP Primorosa

Breeder: Thomas & Beverly Voiss

Owner: Carol Saunders, San Jose, CA

Photo by Debbie Pye

*H.N.S. DOMINGO

Multi-Gait (Pisos) Winner and Champion
Winner: PPHRNA Top Ten Sires
Owned by Rancho Domingo, Buellton, CA
Shown here at the Rancho Domingo Sale - when Domingo was 25 years of age - ridden by Roberto Quijandria.

Photo by DEBBIE PYE

PRINCIPE DE LA SOLANA

National Reserve Champion Stallion & consistently on the Top Ten Sire List
Owned by Fletcher & Janetta Michael
Photos taken at Green Gate Ranch - at 26 years of age. Deceased May 25, 2004 - just shy of his 30th birthday.

SOBERANO CM

Soberano CM, born in 1979, is now 22 years of age and still going strong. (Photo taken at 22 years of age!) Soberano+ is a son of the legendaty *Piloto and out of the pure Cayalti mare, *Soberana de Cayalti. He is still completely sound, ridden regularly and breeds a large book of mares each year. Rancho Santa Vicenta is pleased and proud to have been able to keep Soberano CM here for his owners Dale & Mimi Downey, for the last two years and we are thrilled to say he will be standing the 2002 breeding season here as well! His wonderful personality, temperament and noble disposition make him one of the favorite horses here on our ranch (not to mention his flawless pisos!)

SOBERANO CM is owned by Crescent Moon Ranch, Dale & Mimi Busk Downey, Acme, Alberta, Canada.

ALMA MIA
(Don Roberto PTR x *Zarzamora)
Foaled August 24, 1984
Owned by Phenom Farms
Shown with Stacey Powers of Pasos de Oro

Photo by Marilyn Mieras

RAYO

Foaled July 19, 1981
Sire: Huando
Dam: Pachamanca
Bred by AAG Ranch
Owned by Woody Goddard
Hotchkiss, CO

*JMH BELLO GESTO

Foaled December 3, 1978
Regional x JMH Bella Faz
Bred by Jose Musante H.
Owned by Ralph & Mitzi Strong
Jacobsburg, OH

Bello was my very first Peruvian Paso. He is a horse with a tremendous fire, brio and character. I love him immensely and feel I have been truly blessed to own and ride him. This photo was take October 2000 at our farm in Ohio. Mitzi

MONTONERO

This photo of MONTONERO was taken when he was only 25 years old. He'll be 30 this year. He is a "family member" of Debbie Pye and has affectionately become known as the Ol' Man - and he actually answers to that name! When he was 16, Debbie promised to feed him as long as he was hungry - and he still calls each night and morning for his feed. When there is a chill in the air, he paca paca paca's around his corral with a little buck thrown in for good measure. Debbie says, "He has been an ambassador for the breed the entire they have owned him - giving "test" rides to literally hundreds of folks. He has always had true brio - providing a calm ride for the timid and an energetic ride for the brave of heart. He is still very much sound, with clean, dry legs. He adores children, so he enjoys his current job of teaching my grandchilldren the do's and don'ts of horses."

Photo by Debbie Pye

POCO OSO PARDO LP

This bay gelding was foaled in 1983. His sire is H.E. Alacran and his dam is Angelita del Norte Azul. He was bred by Kathryn Barstow of Linden, CA and is now owned by Craig and Denise Boyd of Mt. Aukum, CA. He has been a Reserve Champion Performance Gelding and won the class for Geldings 12 Years of Age and Older at the 2001 California Classic. He also showed extensively at the 2001 Monterey Show - winning Champion and Champion of Champions Amateur Performance Gelding.

Photo by Debbie Pye

SURENIO

Surenio was foaled February 16, 1985. He is strong, sound, and willing to take care of little children and senior citizens. Most of the time he is ridden on the hills of Mt. Diablo in Northern Ca. He is, however, willing to and does, shows, parades, and exhibitions. His sire is Amancer (son of Piloto) and his dam is Huandinea (daughter of Huando and *Dulcinea), and bred by the famous AAG ranch.

The photo is of Surenio with his owner's granddaughter, Cassandra Carson. They are participating in the Cinco de Mayo parade in Calistoga. Surenio and Cassandra make a great team and the crowd went wild when they saw her, a little girl, riding a stallion. She also rode him on a trail ride (three different rides) with the Wine Country Peruvian Horse Club at Point Pinol. As always, Surenio is the epitomy of what this breed is about.

Barbara Carson, Pasos de Mt. Diablo, Clayton, Ca.

DON VICENTE

Don Vicente was foaled May 29, 1987. He is bred and owned by Pasos de Mt. Diablo (Carsons) of Clayton, CA. In this photo, he is ridden by Vince Carson. He is a son of Baronesa and *Milagro. He has tremendous brio, great endurance and enjoys hours and hours on the trails of Mt. Diablo. He has also taken on the task of "uncle" to a 2 year old son of Surenio and amazes everyone with his ability to run, kick, buck and pay as though he were 2 himself. He may be 15 years old, but he doesn't consider himself an "old" man - and neither does anyone else.

Barbara Carson, Clayton, CA

FLOR DE AZALEA

Chestnut mare foaled September 25, 1980 by *Piloto and out of *Furiosa. Bred by Gaston Herrera and owned by Heather Cave of Bronson, FL.

Photo taken in January 2001 by Lori Harrison.

"Flor is still a hot horse with lots of brio! She has a zest for life and the trail that is unparallel to any horse I've ever seen. She is my first Peruvian and an excellent ambassador for the breed. Many people unfamiliar with the breed love her excitement, yet loving and willing nature. We have many more miles and smiles ahead.

H.A. PURITANO

At sixteen years young, HA Puritano, a Laureado Stallion, is retiring from showing after a wonderful showing and breeding career at Hacienda del Paso in Aubry, Texas. He is now living in Cambridge, Minnesota with Sue Aamot and Mitch Mosio of Hiddenbrook Peruvians, where he spends his days on the trail, camping, in parades, doing demonstrations and breeding their mares on their small Peruvian Horse Farm. He is a joy to be around and draws attention wherever he goes!

A true gentleman and ambassador to the breed.

Update - October 2004

HA Puritano is now 18 years of age and still going strong. Here is a current picture taken this fall - not as good as his earlier photo - but I'm not a professional photographer! He still has "it!"

CORAZA

I would like you to include CORAZA on your Senior Horse Page. She was foaled in July of 1984 and was 19 when this picture was taken in October 2003 after a nasty storm. She is a very personable mare, full of brio for her age and is just a nice horse to have around. She is my first Peruvian Paso - and I love her and her gait. She has *Real, Regional and Piloto in her bloodline. She was bred by Bentwood Place, Inc. in Sioux Falls, SD. She currently makes her home in Caspar, WY.

Sue Knerl, Owner

CAYETANA

Her name is Cayetana, she is 15 yrs. old now and doesn't show her age at all, everyone asks her who her plastic surgeon is. Kidding aside, she is one great lady. She has been shown, paraded, exhibited, and has miles of trail experience. She has two lovely fillies and is in the process of being bred to our young stallion, Durango. This photo was taken a few days ago (July 2004) up on our trails, which just happen to be on Mt. Diablo. She is a joy to ride, full of exuberance and brio. When riding Cayetana you know that you have a pistol beneath you and she will only tolerate an experienced rider. All that is missing in Cayetana is her lack of patience for anyone without a light hand and loose legs. As a matter of fact, both Angie Schmidt and Anne Chess said to me as I was getting my ribbons at shows they were judging, "Barbara, you are riding a pistol," and I never agreed with anything judges have said to me more.

Barbara Carson
Pasos de Mt. Diablo
Clayton, CA

DELFIN

Delfin is a twenty two year old gelding (as of 2004) bred by Hacienda de la Solana and currently owned by Stone Valley Ranch. Under the tutelage of long time Peruvian Paso owner, Debra Robinson, he is presently teaching 5-year old aficionado, Kelsee Belshaw, on the finer points of riding. Debbie says, "She is doing great with him! He is such a kind, gentle horse as well as still being just gorgeous at his age. JJP Adonis (a 17 year old gelding) is with him and I pony Delfin with him. They make a nice matched pair." (Delfin is by *Milagro and out of Damisela - a daughter of *Hercules and *Gringuita. JJP Adonis is by Osiris and out of Damisela.)

3095 Burleson Retta Road
Burleson, TX 76028
Tel: 447-7574 Fax: (707) 447-2450
e-mail: info@napha.net