Largo questions

[ASB.Immortality]

Ok, now for those of you that don't know (or just can't tell), we don't have Pasos nor do we show or pleasure ride them. I am curious though. Why in the world are the Largo horses not really recognized? Also, why do you not have to go both directions of the ring and show all gaits? We have speed horses (that I guess is what you consider a Largo horse) in our Associations and they are recognized and have to go by the same rules as everyone else. Heck, they are almost the most watched class at the show.

[motorgypsy]

The originating countries, in particular Puerto Rico and Colombia showcase fino only. The largo horses are the work horses on their farms and ranches, they are not shown and are not considered show horses. That mentality has carried over to the US with the prestige going to the fino horses and any who aren't fino are considered inferior. But hopefully when the breeders find out how much money is in a fast largo horse things will even out where both ends of the spectrum are equally appreciated.

[SandyMM]

In 1981, PFHA told the judges that speed would be penalized in the ring and the rest - as they say - is 'history'. We went from distinctive divisions - pleasure, performance, fino - to a homogenized bunch of classes with _way_ too much trocha and not enough difference form oone division to the next.... some woul dbe _very_ happy to completely eliminate everything _but_ fino....

Anybody want to guess why PFOBA/PFHA was started?

[ASB.Immortality]

In National Racking... speed is a must. There are only a couple of classes (Tots to ride - riders 12 & under, Country Pleasure, Trail Pleasure, Show Pleasure, and Style) that don't ask for a fast gait. If your horse doesn't at least step up one notch you are penalized. That is what is strange to me. I would just want to see them exhibit at all gaits, even the performance horses. But that is me too.

[Boyd R]

For Largo to get into our show rings there has to be dedicated support behind it.

Remember I will be pushing for a three class event at the Georgia spring show. Timed Races, Largo, Poles, and Barrels. This will be a big money event with a minimum $1,000 gauranteed prize pool and the more entries the larger it could get.

The more people that put in writing that they will be here to participate the better my chances of getting this onto the show schedual. And we have to have this stamped and approved prior to publication which is usually the end of December. To do this right we can not wait until the week before to put this together.

So lets quit belly acheing make reservations Save up entry fees. Get off your a%%%% and support this. If this makes money for our show There is not a region that won't consider it for there show and Nationals will be next. The fact of the matter is Money talks. And every show committee wants to attract more Green.

[motorgypsy]

Boyd are all these to be done at the largo gait?

[SandyMM]

Can Bronce enter?

[motorgypsy]

Good point Boyd - are these real classes or demos with prizes? It will be a lot easier to keep them demos and add nice prizes because real classes are expensive and stressful. Just a thought. Plus if they are real classes Bronce can't enter them!

[Candice Burger]

The reason for the change in attitude about speed was when the classes became races. Horses lost their collection and form intended for the class. Also, speed was thought to win over form. So people with slower horses complained. That's why it's about gait "transition" which hardly exists anymore.

Hmm, there is no such thing as a "largo" horse in other countries. Fino is the showcase gait. It's about that simple. Fino is not used for regular riding outside of the arena. Sure trained for fino gait outside of the arena but not used as the gait of choice for a pleasure ride.

Unfortunately I don't agree with this mythical concept about "fino" horses. That's a made-up definition from the USA. In other countries "fino" is about how the horse moves NOT just about the fino gait. I refer back to an example I posted earlier discussing a horse we call "pleasure" in the USA. Yet, he has excellent fino traits and now I've been tasked to pull up all the PPRs in the USA that have certain bloodlines for the PR breeders to consider. They want these "fino" traits no matter how they are characterized artificially here.

Do not allow this arbitrary method of showing dictate what paso fino is and what "fino" is. It's a way to show paso gait NOT to determine quality, ability as related to fino traits. If it were many a stallion and broodmare would have to denounce their heritage. ;-) Like Dulce Sueno. He was never regarded as "fino" the way it's decribed now. Many have described him as "performance". He was a great paso fino with great qualities which he gave to his offspring--that is "fino".

[Boyd R]

These will all be largo classes. They will be priced as any other class but only need for one judge of course. I hope to have one class friday night. One class Saturday morning. And the final on Saturday night. If for some reason we have a tie, possibly have a showdown on Sunday. Doubt it would be necessary though.
Since there are no such pointed class of course any horse exibiting a four beat gait could enter, registered or not, Member or not. Blind or not. And if your Qtr. horse can I could care less if you enter him. Since this will be timed, break of gait can be time penalized. One judge one horse no problem. And I said nothing about even 4 beat, Diagonal is Ok Lateral is Ok, Troche, Trote. Etc. Just no breaking into a canter. If we want serious classes to become recognised and pointed then we need to approach this with serious training and commitment. It does not mean it can't be done for fun just don't complain afterword. if this were to take off Proper 4 beat diagonal can at that pointe be addressed.

So what will it cost to enter. I assume $40 per class X 3 classes, one judge. Total $120
Stall fee $70 for the weekend.

Pfha membership. $0 Not needed non pointed

USAE fees $0 not needed non pointed.

Possible payout for winner of each event. Top 3 for event a definate.

I am thinking a gauranteed $1,000 doller purse by sponser with 50% of entries supporting the purse. So it would take 17 riders to break above the $1,000 gaurnteed. Ribbons for each event with championship ribbons for the combined. Now I am not sure but compare this payout to highpoint awards. How much do you have to spend to have an opportunity to win high pointe.

This will be tweeked but has to be done soon.

[GeorgeGuns]

Interesting thread.
I'd do barrels and poles if we could run them, not largo, I think that running them would show the versatility better, and IMHO just be more fun.

[Boyd R]

lets first take a step. then we will run

[Primroseddp]

BOYD THIS SOUNDS GREAT

[Boyd R]

How many of your clients can you have in it???

[Linda Y]

Back in the 'old days', largo was just a part of the performance class. There were blazing fast horses in there. It was exciting, it would stand the hair up on your arms. The stands would be filled with cheering spectators. Then, as Sandy said, they started penalizing speed, so that now there is hardly a discernable difference in the corto and the largo in performance horses. It is just another boring class among many boring classes.
Fortunately, largo is alive and well on the trail. It is the same as with the speed rackers, largo is FUN!
Bandolero Royal, king of the largo horses...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/yorkhrse/bandolero.jpg

[Fuego]

Just a suggestion Boyd....

Since the 'largo event classes' aren't PFHA sanctioned classes with PFHA requirements ( PFHA judge not neccessary for the classes) I'd suggest lowering the entry fee ( substantially) for those classes and making them Jackpot pot classes ( entry fees are used as payout, at least 75% of the entry fees). Added garunteed money from sponsors even better.

If you want to attract participants in Largo barrel and largo poles, $40. per class is rather steep. I can enter real Barrel and Pole Jackpot events locally with good $$$ payouts , but considerably lower entry fees.

Paents may be more inclined to allow their children to enter if the entry fee is $5-10 per class rather then $40.

Not being critical of your idea, just trying to be helpful. I really hope it works. But participation will be the key to have these events incorporated into the PFHA shows on a regular basis.

Best of luck....

[Boyd R]

Pointe taken and is right on. I do beleive though that if we are to be serious about this than people should flat get serious. I get tired of hearing individuals wanting to be treated the same but want special treatment. lets start it out as another class. grow the attendence and maybe one day it will be pointed. Lower fees would also encourage untrained horses and riders. And this would not have to interfere with the regular fun classes which are already in place. This is to take it to the next level.

[baileyholc]

All of this is going to happen this weekend or another weekend comeing soon?

It all sounds fun to me. I can't wait to see it.

[Boyd R]

not this weekend Baily. Hopefully for our show in Gainsville next spring. So you got time to Get Porcy bought and ready :roll:

[TrueStepPaso]

Boyd....I really wish you good luck! I love your idea....because I'm into barrels/poles/timed events...
If I were in your area, I'd do as much as possible to support you....so, instead, I'll support you from Taxachussetts..er, I mean Massachussetts! :D


Oh, and one more thing.....I'm glad ABS asked the original question. I 100% agree that its a bit ....um, weird (for lack of a better word), that largo is not really celebrated. You haven't had the full Paso experience until you've ridden a SMOKIN' largo that leaves everyone in your DUST!!! 8-)