On Friday, January 23, 2009 the Paso Fino horse world mourned the passing of the legendary stallion Capuchino.

I was fortunate to have photographed this great chestnut horse over a time period from early 1984 to the fall of 2006.

Like many equine photographers starting out in the business, I had grand visions of photographing horses running in green pastures. As I came to learn, this was rarely the case. Most clients wanted photographs of their horses posed or ridden in order to show off their great qualities back in the 1980’s.

Arabian horses used to dominate the horse world in the Miami/Homestead, Florida area until the market went “south” in the mid to late 1980’s. A new breed of horse came on the scene ,the Paso Fino horse of Colombia. I found my calling too. It began with a horse name Plebeyo, a stately gray stallion that I photographed in Homestead in November 1983. Then in early 1984 came an assignment to photograph a group of young Paso Finos recently imported from Colombia in Homestead. Their names were Castellano, Castanuela,India Catalina, Ministro and Capuchino.

Maybe it was the name. But the awkward ,lanky colt with a head that looked to big for his body , was destined for greatness. He did not look like the other Pasos and maybe for that reason I felt he was special in spite of his appearance . And he was, when later that year he won the Classic Fino Championship at the Grand National Show and three years more in a row to boot. He was the horse with the lightning feet. Capuchino danced down the fino board and captured our hearts.At the 1986 National Show in Kansas City I was photographing in the ring during his class and will never forget the crowd going wild, cheering, clapping and some crying as this noble horse went down the board. When ever he appeared at a show it was never a question as to who would win first in fino competition, but which horse would place second.

Capuchino came and went from our lives and on rare occasions I photographed him, usually a portrait, sometimes under saddle. He came back into our lives at the 1992 Grand National Show in Ft. Worth, Texas an older heavier stallion being sent out to compete against much younger and quicker colts. Some were his sons. He did not win that day in Texas, but in our hearts he was still the “One” the champion. Capuchino left the ring for the last time and our country too.

He returned in 1994 and once again I had the opportunity to photograph him in his retirement. Through the years Capuchino has had different owners that loved him along with  many admirers here in the U.S. and Colombia.But, Cappy (as his fans referred to him) loved his long time caretaker and friend Jairo. I will always remember Jairo bringing the horse out of his stall at the 1992 National show, standing him in the aisle way,with no halter or tie, while  grooming him so I could do photographs . It was chaos in the barn area, but Cappy kept his eye on Jairo and never moved. This is just one of the many stories to be told about Cappy ,Jairo and their bond.

Capuchino went though a great deal in his lifetime;shows;countless plane trips;stays in quarantine entering and leaving countries and exhibitions. He has over one thousand offspring to his credit , so his legacy will go on. But, there will never be another quite like him and the passion he inspired in the Paso Fino World.

And so, dear Capuchino you have left us for the last time. We hope you are running in green pastures , or perhaps by the sea somewhere ………………….across the bridge of time.

Click here to view a photographic tribute to Capuchino