Great Lakes Paso Fino Association

The Great Lakes Paso Fino Association is composed of the states of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The seeds of our organization were sown in 1969 when Dr. Carolyn Ziegler secured two Paso Fino classes in the Ohio Western All-Breed Fall Roundup—the first time Paso Finos were exhibited north of Atlanta. The horses were very well received, and the stall area was crowded with curious and interested onlookers. It was a tremendous change from the all-western aspect of the show.

Shortly after the first exhibit in 1969, a regional group was formed. The officers were Dr. Carolyn Ziegler, President, and Robert Reis, Secretary/Treasurer.

At this time, our organization was known as the American Paso Fino Horse Association (APF). We managed to secure 10 horses to exhibit during those four days. George LaHood and Cese Figuera came from Valdosta, Ga., bringing Mar de Plata, Bolero and Singer. Kenny Ziegler entered Oasis Z and Sombra LaCE; Dr. Ziegler exhibited La Patrona; and Mr. and Mrs. Herb Whitacre brought El Cid and Chapalla. In addition, John Moore and Dick Bailey brought horses to that first exhibit. In 1970, we again returned to the Fall Roundup to exhibit.

Within the two years, classes were obtained in many all-breed shows in Alliance, Hudson and Ravenna, Ohio, and Bay City, Michigan. In 1971, we were invited to display our horses at the prestigious Rolling Rock Steeple Chase at Ligonier, Pa., which presented the Paso Fino to the high society of Pittsburgh.

In January 1972, the Great Lakes Paso Fino Federation was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Ohio by Leonard Reith, Herb Whitacre and Dr. Carolyn Ziegler. The term "Federation" became part of our name through a chain of events at the original meeting. We first chose Great Lakes Paso Fino Association, but the President of APF objected to the word "Association," as he felt it would be confused with the American Paso Fino Horse Association (APF). We then decided to use the term of the oldest Puerto Rican organization, "federation." We are, therefore, the oldest incorporated region in PFOBA. In May that year, we held our first all-Paso show and had 21 horses. The show was approved by the American Paso Fino Horse Association, which was a short-lived organization formed by some members of APF. In the Summer 1972, most of the people involved in it formed the PASO FINO OWNERS & BREEDERS ASSOCIATION (PFOBA), in Knoxville, Tenn.

Two couples from Great Lakes, Leonard Reith and Dr. John and Carolyn Ziegler, were among those involved in the founding of PFOBA. In 1972, a total of 10 couples, including Reith's and Ziegler's, put up $1,000 each for a total of $10,000 to get the organization off the ground.

The early history of Great Lakes would not be complete without mentioning Kenneth Ziegler of Salem, Ohio. Originally an appaloosa breeder, he saw an article in the "Western Horseman" about the Paso Fino by Rosalie MacWilliam and contacted her. While in Puerto Rico, he had her select four Paso Finos for him—Oasis, a seal brown stallion, son of Batallia San Lorenza; a black mare with her foal; and two other mares, one in foal. These two foals, La Patrona Z and Zorra Z, were purchased then Dr. Carolyn Ziegler.

Website: greatlakespasofino.org