Lee Ann Williams-Maley And “Sarge” Victorious At Paso Fino Grand National Championship Congratulations to Lee Ann Williams-Maley, formerly of Memphis, for her recent victory with Sargento de Lago PF at the 36th Annual Paso Fino Grand National Championship Show, which was held in Perry, Ga., Sept. 13-20, 2008. Ms. Williams-Maley and “Sarge” won the Grand National Amateur/Owner Fino Gelding Championship and the third Grand National Fino Gelding Championship in which all of the other exhibitors were professionals. The three primary divisions within Paso Fino competitions are pleasure, performance, and fino. Classic Fino is the most difficult of the gaits and exhibited by less than 10 percent of the breed. The gait is described as being fully collected with very slow forward speed, extremely rapid footfall, and exceedingly short extension. The gait of the Paso Fino horse is totally natural and normally exhibited from birth. It is an evenly-spaced four-beat lateral gait with each foot contacting the ground independently in a regular sequence at precise intervals creating a rapid, unbroken rhythm. Executed perfectly, the four hoof beats are absolutely even in both cadence and impact,resulting in unequaled smoothness and comfort for the rider. “We are very excited that a horse born and bred in Tennessee was able to excel in this most difficult division within the Paso Fino breed,” said Sargento de Lago’s breeder John Powell. “From the time that he was very young, Sarge was always a very special horse and preferred to fino, even while in the pasture.” Sarge, a nine-year old Paso Fino, is the son of Contra-Retorno, owned by Linda and Tommy Branstetter of Williston, and Cha Cha Linda del Lago, owned by John and Laura Powell of Somerville..