Published on December 20, 2008 in Judge , Show | Join Discussion »

Part One
One horse, one judge, and the Paso Fino breed

The Paso breed is brimming over with fan-boys unabashedly gushing over the "best ever" horse, bloodline or trainer. There always seems to be some adoring fan that cannot get enough of a good thing--or at least, the fan will do everything in his/her power to make you believe the adored subject is really that good. Fan-boys are often single-minded in their devotion and rather narrow-minded, rejecting opinions and ideas which run contrary to their own. They can comprise a small but very vocal minority on websites designed for paso enthusiasts of various disciplines. Fan-boys might get angry about events at a horse show and try to insult people who don't like whatever it is they like. Many are willing to defend and promote the object of their affection regardless of fact and objectivity. Fan-boys may create their own realities and interpretations of their beloved subjects. My own nick-name for our breed's singly focused fans has been "the mob", but I think the term fan-boy is more appropriate.

Fan-boys spring from all walks of life in the Paso Fino world from the brain-washed newbie to the star-struck judge to the blind devotee trying to fashion the market for his bloodlines to the paid promoter. Generally they parrot nice things about their idol never saying a negative thing, which makes me wonder about the value whatever it is they say or think. They readily bash any person and related horses that happens to opine a different view.

This subject came up while I was thinking about a recent episode that happened after the Ponce International Show in Puerto Rico. One of the judges was publicly vilified and accused of acting alone to dismiss an iconic horse out of his class competition. Of course coming from a member of the "mob", er, I mean, a fan-boy of both judge and horse it caught my attention. Usually I only tend to poke fun at my breed's devout worshippers of the "best ever", but this incident involved a judge I had regarded as yet another one who bowed to the demands of the fan-boy bunch. Although not as vocal or as ardent as many in the fan-boy club, I had watched the judge with some expectation of seeing an affirmation for the breed instead of capitulating to the pressures of the mob. Frankly I was disappointed the first few times and decided I expected too much. I hoped for a hero and got just another human playing along with the boys to stay out of trouble--or so I thought until the Ponce International show.

What caught my attention was the typical fan-boy tendency ignoring obvious facts, assigning supreme powers to one individual, and blaming the person for all the wrongs done against the idol of the moment. I wondered what had this judge done that caused such a stir. Taken a bribe? Promised a championship in exchange for stallion services? Forced an owner to pay ransom for a placement? No it was much more extraordinary and bold. This judge took the love of the breed above all else and did what was "right" for the breed instead of trying to please the mob. Obviously the fan-boys had elevated this judge to highest standing and expectations of belonging to their club. Instead, a selfish act was performed in opposition of the fan-boys. This judge cared for the Paso Fino and all that it represents to the world. Although, the facts are this judge could not act alone she took the brunt of the rotten spew from our devoted fan-boy club.

Angela Ochoa, you breathed life back into the Paso Fino breed. Your quiet bravery to stand up against those whose agenda sacrifices the breed is much more than I have hoped for. May I offer my humble apologies for doubting you. THANK YOU!