by Genie Hooker, DVM
A little over a year ago, I was blessed to discover an eight-year-old recently gelded Paso Fino who needed a new home. Having both ridden and observed this horse on prior occasions, I was not particularly interested in him. He was at best, a mediocre stallion with many “stallion-like vices.” However, he was handsome, well-trained and nicely gaited. So, on a gamble, I bought him and brought him home.
Over time, this gelding, Capitulo de Los Chalos (aka “Taxi”), has worked his way to the top of my “favorite horse of all time” list. He required much patience and some quality “figure me out” time, but it was well worth it. Taxi is not perfectly behaved, but he has lost most of his annoying stallion vices while retaining his good stallion-like looks and just enough stallion attitude to turn him into a fantastic gelding!
Taxi was very successful in the show ring last year, finishing 6th at the Grand Nationals in Performance Geldings, with Juan Carlos Conde of Somerville, TN riding.
Several weekends ago in Hattiesburg, MS, there was fierce competition among friends in the Fino Geldings Class (both Professional and Amateur Owner). Taxi, owned by Genie Hooker, Hoof and Hook Farm in Oakland, TN, (ridden by Alex Kirk in the Professional Class and Genie Hooker in the A/O Class) competed against Phantom, a son of Joyero, both owned by Norman and Debbie Timbs, Shady Creek Ranch, Arlington, TN, (ridden by Juan Cardinal in the Professional Class and Norman Timbs in the A/O Class). There was much audience appreciation, serious competition (both geldings brought home Championships) and unlimited excitement as these “geldings with the fine steps” strutted their stuff.
To see these geldings along with many world class Paso Finos compete, please join us at the Shelby Show Place Arena for the TN Valley Paso Finos in Memphis on April 29-30 and May 1st. It is guaranteed to be both entertaining and a great time for all! The Paso Fino Grand National Championship Show will also be held at Shelby Show Place Arena this year: September 25 through October 1.
It has become obvious to me that we must not discount our geldings! They are often safer, easier to handle, and they can focus on their work without the distraction of breeding. If you are looking for a diamond in the rough,don’t forget to look at the stallions; they can always be gelded!
A little over a year ago, I was blessed to discover an eight-year-old recently gelded Paso Fino who needed a new home. Having both ridden and observed this horse on prior occasions, I was not particularly interested in him. He was at best, a mediocre stallion with many “stallion-like vices.” However, he was handsome, well-trained and nicely gaited. So, on a gamble, I bought him and brought him home.
Over time, this gelding, Capitulo de Los Chalos (aka “Taxi”), has worked his way to the top of my “favorite horse of all time” list. He required much patience and some quality “figure me out” time, but it was well worth it. Taxi is not perfectly behaved, but he has lost most of his annoying stallion vices while retaining his good stallion-like looks and just enough stallion attitude to turn him into a fantastic gelding!
Taxi was very successful in the show ring last year, finishing 6th at the Grand Nationals in Performance Geldings, with Juan Carlos Conde of Somerville, TN riding.
Several weekends ago in Hattiesburg, MS, there was fierce competition among friends in the Fino Geldings Class (both Professional and Amateur Owner). Taxi, owned by Genie Hooker, Hoof and Hook Farm in Oakland, TN, (ridden by Alex Kirk in the Professional Class and Genie Hooker in the A/O Class) competed against Phantom, a son of Joyero, both owned by Norman and Debbie Timbs, Shady Creek Ranch, Arlington, TN, (ridden by Juan Cardinal in the Professional Class and Norman Timbs in the A/O Class). There was much audience appreciation, serious competition (both geldings brought home Championships) and unlimited excitement as these “geldings with the fine steps” strutted their stuff.
To see these geldings along with many world class Paso Finos compete, please join us at the Shelby Show Place Arena for the TN Valley Paso Finos in Memphis on April 29-30 and May 1st. It is guaranteed to be both entertaining and a great time for all! The Paso Fino Grand National Championship Show will also be held at Shelby Show Place Arena this year: September 25 through October 1.
It has become obvious to me that we must not discount our geldings! They are often safer, easier to handle, and they can focus on their work without the distraction of breeding. If you are looking for a diamond in the rough,don’t forget to look at the stallions; they can always be gelded!
