Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Federation of America

Interview of Palmetto Pride Paso Fino Farm
Owners Gail and James Brown

I sat down with Gail Brown on a rather hot afternoon in August and just had to ask her some questions on her Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses. For those of you not familiar with Gail and James Brown of Batesburg, South Carolina, I can tell you a nicer more helpful pair I have yet to meet. James and Gail Brown have been breeding the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino since 1987 When James gave Gail her very first Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino “PAL” as a Mother’s Day Gift in 1987. PAL launched a long-lasting love and dedication to the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino breed that has gone on to touch many lives today. James and Gail’s Farm aptly named Palmetto Pride Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino Farm can be found on a quiet dirt road surrounded by acres of hayfields and beautiful grazing Paso Finos all around you. It is a laid back comfortable place where many people go to learn more about the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino, ride the smoothest horse in the world or just to sit in the barn and talk about the day.
While we were sitting admiring and discussing the many different horses James and Gail Brown own, I asked Gail a few questions that I am sure many of us would like to know.

How long have you been a Paso Fino enthusiast and what got you first interested in the breed?

I’ve had horses all my life, Quarter horses, Walking Horses, and many other types. In the 70’s, I saw a magazine with Jackie Onassis on a Paso Fino and I thought to myself. “Wow, what a beautiful, interesting breed.” At the time, Creighton Shull was breeding and training the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino. James and I went to his facility to view his horses. I rode several of his Paso Finos and was immediately hooked. They smoothness of the gait, the temperament and overall personality of the horses was like no other breed I had come in contact with before. James bought Pal, who’s real name is Palmetto Pride, for me on Mother’s Day of 1987. After that we purchased several colts, and a mare from Creighton Shull and that officially began my future with the Puerto Rican Paso Fino. Pal was shown in PFHA for five years, every chance I got. Everyone in the family showed Pal; he was even the PFHA Gelding of the year at one time.

What made you interested in the Puerto Rican Paso Fino as a unique breed from the American Paso Fino or even the Columbian Paso Fino?

Creighton Shull and Mr. Pedro Burgos spent a lot of time discussing the breed standard with me and the differences between them. I also did my share of research into the breed. I found the Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino to be a hardy breed of horses. I guess because they were raised on an island with little food, little water and tough conditions. They seem to have hardy bloodlines. I also spent days and hours learning how to ride and care for my horses with Cathy Tack Lewis. I really believe that if it had not been for Cathy, I would not be associated with Pure Puerto Rican Paso Finos at all. She has truly been a star player in my life.

Was there a special horse either one you purchased or saw in action that you could say really made you more aware of the breed? One that made you say, “Hey, that is what I want to breed my horses to look like.”

There were several horses in history that I found to be stunning examples of the breed; my favorite would have to be Pleybeyo. Pleybeyo was a beautiful horse with excellent conformation. My stallion Boricua is the son of Pleybeyo and I really love his strong muscular head and body. I also like Replica from Puerto Rico. Replica was another beautiful Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino. I have a filly out of Replica right now and am looking forward to seeing how she turns out.

On Estimate, how many Pure Puerto Rican Paso Finos would you say Palmetto Pride has breed and sold since you began in 1987?

Gosh, on estimate I would have to say 35-40 Pure Puerto Rican Paso Finos.

I am sure you have seen many of your “babies” grow up with other people you have sold them to, is there any one or two Pure Puerto Rican Paso Finos you could say you regret selling the most?

There are two horses I think I regret selling the most. One is a mare named Jag. Jag is out of my stallion Minute Man and mare Diamante Negra. Jag was a super mare; she had great conformation, excellent temperament and was very well gaited. The other is a gelding I recently sold named Coronado. Coronado has the potential to be an excellent fino horse. He should be able to Corto when asked, largo when asked and Fino when asked just like his sire. Coronado should have a great future.

What is the one thing you look for most when you decide to purchase an older Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino? Would it be color, size, temperament, conformation or bloodlines?

A good balanced well-gaited horse. Gait is what makes these horses so special.

When you are watching Pure Puerto Rican Paso Finos in the show ring is there one trait, one conformation style that makes you say to yourself, “ Hey, that is a good looking horse.” What makes you choose your pick to win?

I look for the overall package. I like a good headset, nice strong neck. My favorite horse has an elegant headset; he tucks his head in not sticking his nose out to far. He has a high elegant head carriage.

Why do you have six stallions in your barn? Why not just one or two? Is there a reason to have so many?

Because I am crazy, no really each of my stallions contributes something different in their individual strengths. Each has a quality that matches different mares and brings out the best of both worlds in the babies. Although the mare contributes 60 to 70 percent of the qualities to the babies, the stallion can still create quite an impact on the offspring. A good quality mare and a good quality stallion produce wonderful well-gaited balanced colts and fillies. I am presently working with my stallion Minute Man to supply semen to some of the top bloodlines in Puerto Rico as they have allowed his bloodlines to die out over there and are now scrambling around to preserve his excellent pedigree. I am glad to work with them; I really want to preserve the breed for everyone’s pleasure.

How many Pure Puerto Rican Paso Finos do you presently own? How many do you have due to be born soon?

About 40 Pure Puerto Rican Paso Finos at present. I have three due to be foaled next year and one very special baby from my mare Tabu due in a few months. We do intend to breed in the fall several more of the mares.

What is in the future for Palmetto Pride Paso Fino Farm?

I plan to continue to breed top-quality Pure Puerto Rican Paso Finos that have an excellent well-balanced gait. I want to begin displaying some of my younger horses in PFHA to help people become more aware of this fascinating breed. I want the “de Pride” name to be associated with three things. Top quality, perfect size and conformation and excellent well-balanced gait.

James and Gail Brown have one of the most impressive collection of Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses. They plan to have an Open house in November and will be offering some of their quality breeding stock and show horses for sale at unheard of prices for this breed. You can call James or Gail Brown at 803.657.5682 or visit their website at www.palmettopridepasofinofarm.com for more information. I myself fully intend to be present to see what they will be offering. I do have my eye on a mare or two or was it that colt in the pasture. I cannot decide I think I would like to have them all.


November Carpenter
Secretary for PPRPPFA,Inc.