Casey with her horse, 3 year old Zarzuela de FinaVista

Zarzuela de FinaVista

Zarzuela de FinaVista is a 3 year old registered Paso Fino filly with Colombian blood lines. See is co-owned by my sister Janet Grant and my 13 year old niece Casey. We featured Zee back in 2009 and promised we would tell you how she was doing as she progressed. Casey loves her horse and wrote the following story. ~ Leslie.

"Zarzuela has been a great addition to our family since my aunt and I bought her in February of 2009. My Aunt Janet and I went to Camilla Willings' farm one day during the winter. I walked out into the paddock and laid eyes on a gorgeous young one year old filly running up to me - I knew she was eventually going to be mine. Camilla mentioned something to me about people being interested in buying her, and I would not have that! On the way home while in the car I remember my Aunt and I chatting about how great it would be to part own Zee together. My parents never forgave her for that.

A few weeks later, and about a million pleads later, my parents allowed me to buy her, as long as I completely drained my bank account. That was the only disappointing part. I have been cherishing every moment with her and thank god for this wonderful opportunity that most kids my age only dream of!

Zarzuela has been in Kentucky at Quinta Chiappetta farm for the past few months. She was being trained by Ricky Mendoza, the Paso Fino Horse Association's Trainer of the Year for 2009. Zee recently went down to Murfreesboro, Tennessee for the Tennessee Valley Paso Fino show and my Aunt Janet, my cousin Douglas and myself went down to see her. It was her first time in a show and I thought she did beautifully! The trainer didn't think she was gaiting well enough to show yet, but we wanted her to get some show experience. She placed third in her class and you can see a video of her here.

She returned home in August and I'm just happy to have her back at Camilla's farm. Despite what my parents believe, I will never regret this decision for the rest of my life. Casey :] "

Zarzuela will be trained for trail riding now, and she'll be a great all-round horse. She is also doing really well at clicker training, Zarzuela is a very clever girl! She can push a ball around with her nose, pick stuff up with her mouth, and will do liberty work. ~ Janet

Congratulations to Zarzuela for being our September 6, 2010 "Horse of the Week".