For the past five years, an exceptional organization has made the futures of a select outstanding students that much brighter. This organization is the Paso Fino Horse Foundation.
The mission behind the Paso Fino Horse foundation is to provide high school graduates who are members of the Paso Fino Horse Association with scholarship money for future endeavors.
Since its commencement, this foundation has awarded over $100,000 for young Paso Fino enthusiasts. Many of the winners of the first years’ awards have already graduated from their respective universities and are continuing their careers.
The citeria that are looked upon for the winners include a good standing with the Paso Fino Horse Association, achievement in academics, achievements in community service, as well as financial need.
This year the Paso Fino Horse Foundation will be awarding a new group of teens during the Piedmont PFHA’s Piedmont Classic show in Asheville, NC. Congratulations and good luck to the current and future winners of the Paso Fino Horse Foundation scholarship award. Further information on the Paso Fino Horse Foundation scholarship can be in the Paso Fino Horse Association website at www.pfha.org.
Inexpensive Boarding for any Breed
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2009 PIEDMONT CLASSIC PASO FINO HORSE SHOW
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By Jorge Mejia
Memorial weekend now has new meaning for the Paso Fino community. On Saturday, May 23 of 2009, we were given a new way to remember one of the legendary icons of our time. Through the advances in modern technology, the beloved Capuchino has been reborn. On Tuesday, June 2nd of 2009, I recently had a chance to sit down with Zarela Olsen, owner of the late Capuchino and now Capuchino Forever, the clone of Capuchino. The following is the interview we shared:
JM: What is the laboratory in charge of the cloning of Capuchino?
ZO:The lab that did the cloning goes by the name of Viagen, and they are based in Austin, TX.
JM: And how did your choice for cloning Capuchino come about?
ZO: Well, over several conversations that spanned several months with Dr. Jose Davila from Equitransfer, I decided that I would clone him.
JM: What was your experience upon meeting Capuchino Forever, the clone of Capuchino?
ZO: Well first of all, I was greeted by the the president of Viagen at the airport. I was taken to Canyon Drive where I met Dr. Gregg Veneklasen, the veterinarian in charge of the cloning. I also met Canadace Dobson, the Marketing Associate for Viagen. They all showed me the lab that had 11 additional clones that were born along with Capuchino Forever. It was pretty amazing.
JM: Were you able to see Capuchino Forever after that?
ZO:Well, by that time my body was shaking uncontrollably. I was so anxious. I didn’t know what to expect. When I entered the stall where he and his mother were, everyone stayed back. I first approached the mother so that she would allow to pet her son. I then sat down on the ground. That’s when the little Capuchino approached me. No one there could believe it because prior to that he was very difficult to catch. He first got really close to my face and started sniffing my hair. He started sticking his tongue out and licked my ear. By this point I had tears in my eyes. I thought this experience couldn’t get anymore unbelievable. I was wrong…
JM: What do you mean?
ZO: Well, when Capuchino used to compete, he would always scrape at the dirt with his right hoof. And when I would be around him, he would play with me that way. Then when Capuchino Forever was next to me, he started doing the same scraping on my thigh. It was as if he was saying “Hey! I’m back!” I could not stop crying.
JM: With so many people saying that they don’t see point in cloning Capuchino, what is your purpose for doing so?
ZO: When Capuchino died, I had an endless stream of calls of people giving me their condolensces for my loss. So many of them would share such endearing stories about seeing him and compete, or they would thank me for the offspring that Capuchino had given to them. Let me also say that I don’t believe that Capuchino belonged to me. Capuchino belonged to the people. That is my purpose for cloning him. I wanted to preserve the lineage that so many people loved.
JM: Now that Capuchino Forever has been born, can you tell me if there is any physical difference between Capuchino and Capuchino Forever?
ZO: There is none whatsoever, right now he looks a tiny version of Capuchino.
According to Olsen, It is approximated that Capuchino sired over 5000 offspring. And now with Capuchino Forever taking up the throne, it is pretty safe to say that that number is soon to rise once again. For more information on Capuchino Forever, Zarela Olsen can be contacted at zarela.capuchina@gmail.com. And for further information on equine cloning, visit the Viagen website www.viagen.com
