The rich breed history of Los Caballos de Paso Fino, better known as the Paso Fino, dates back over 500 years to 1493 when Christopher Columbus brought a combination of Berber Horses (also known as Barbs), Spanish Jennets, and Andalusians to the Americas.
Following orders from King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of Spain, Columbus landed with his horses and Spanish conquistadors on the island of Borinquen at the Bay of Aguada, which is now known as Añasco.
The blending of the Spanish breeds resulted in Los Caballos de Paso Fino, translated as “the horses with the fine walk,” which were known for their smooth gait, endurance, and comfortable ride.
In 1509, the first governor of Añasco, Juan Ponce de Leon, brought Paso Fino horses from his hacienda to Puerto Rico, and their descendants developed into sure-footed, hardy horses that adapted to the region’s topography.
The popularity of Paso Finos spread to Colombia and America, and over the centuries, the breed evolved into the refined equine that we know today, which is beloved for their stamina, elegance, and natural four-beat gait.
In 1943, the Federation of the Sport of Paso Fino Horses of Puerto Rico was established, along with a breed registry, to maintain quality. Paso Finos became increasingly popular in the United States in the 1950s and ‘60s after members of the armed services stationed in Puerto Rico after World War II bought horses there and brought them back home to the U.S.
Today, the Paso Fino Horse Association (PFHA) protects and promotes the best interests and welfare of the breed and upholds the integrity of the registry. The association is known for promoting sound breeding practices, adoption and rescue programs, and for honoring the breeds’ illustrious heritage.
Paso Fino breeder and trainer Javier Suarez, owner of La Cuarta Jota in Summerfield, Fla., moved to the continental U.S. from Puerto Rico in 1984. La Cuarta Jota means “the fourth J,” as Suarez comes from a close-knit family of four brothers and one sister, and all their names begin with the letter “J.”
“We have all been horse people our whole lives, and we have always ridden and bred Paso Finos. We started doing it professionally when we arrived in the States, because before then it was just a hobby,” Suarez said. “We love Paso Finos — we enjoy every single aspect of the breed. They're very energetic. They're very smart. They're very athletic.”
Suarez grew up riding horses and showing in equitation in Puerto Rico, and began riding and training professionally 40 years ago. Throughout that time, the Paso Fino has been the dominant breed in his life.
“It was a lot of fun to grow up in Puerto Rico with Paso Finos, which is the native and most popular breed there,” he said. “My whole family was very involved with them, so it was lovely. I have nothing but good things to say about it. The people who mentored us were not only good horse people, but they were wonderful humans, and they helped us greatly. My mother always used to say that she loved horses when she was growing up, but now she loves them even more because they kept her family together.”
Suarez was 17 when his family decided to move to the U.S. as they recognized that the Paso Fino industry was growing and believed the future of the breed would be in America.
“My mother was a great visionary — that's what she thought, and she was not alone,” he said. “We got here at the perfect time as the industry was vibrant. The breed was not new to the U.S. then, but it was going through a revolution of growth, and the fastest growing period was in the 1980s and ‘90s. It was an extremely popular breed and was doing very well.”
Suarez, who was named the Professional Paso Fino Trainer of the Year in 1998, said that among the best traits of Paso Finos is how smart they are, their willingness to learn, and their dedication to work.
“There are very few lazy Paso Finos,” he said. “And of course, they are so comfortable! They are great for riders who like to feel the energy and athleticism of a horse, it is like riding a very comfortable sports car.”
While Paso Finos are naturally not very tall (13 hands to 15.2 hands), they are strong and sturdy.
“Once you get to know their energy, they are very gentle,” Suarez continued. “They are very energetic, but that energy is very good working energy. However, they are horses who require riding and attention. They are not horses for someone who just wants to get on and call themselves a cowboy rider. This is a power horse, an athlete, a horse who is not half asleep but is very much alive.”
The Paso Finos’ willingness and work ethic make them amazing trail horses, but also excellent competition horses.
“This is a breed for someone who likes art in motion; they will love them because the Paso Fino is the smoothest riding horse in the world, but they are also powerful and beautiful,” Suarez said. “The Paso Fino is a very elegant horse but training them to the highest level takes time, suppleness, coordination, and a very able horse person and rider. If someone appreciates all of that, they will fall in love with Paso Finos.”
Suarez loves all the horses in his barn and wants all of them to do well, but has particularly high hopes for his young colt, No Me Amenaces, whose name means “do not threaten me.”
“No Me Amenaces is probably the best horse I have ever bred, so I'm very excited about him,” said Suarez, who has bred multiple national and world champions over the years. “He's been beautiful since the day he was born and is extremely well put together. He’s athletic but gentle, I think he is going to do great things, and I am very excited about him.”
Suarez will join other top Paso Fino trainers and breeders competing at the Paso Fino Horse Association Grand National Championship Show from September 15-19, 2026, at Tryon International in Mill Spring, N.C. US Equestrian members can stream the show on the USEF Network via ClipMyHorse.
September 15 through October 15 is also National Hispanic Heritage Month, when we recognize the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
To learn more about Paso Finos, please visit US Equestrian’s breed page at usef.org/compete/breeds/paso-fino.