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| 1998 National Champion, Largo Race |
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| Appeal (Simpatia Emocionante IM) |
| 2001 National Champion, Costume |
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| General (El General de Venari) |
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| General - Prepared to participate with the MCSO Mounted Unit Auxiliary in a Christmas Parade |
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| Appeal - Exiting the Ocean after a great swim |
A Dream Come True!
(as
told to Susan Data-Samtak & published
in Paso Fino Horse World, November 1997)
Her dream dates from when she was five years old.
That's about the time her parents first took her horseback riding. Like so many girls before her, she fell in love with horses.
Some girls grow out of that stage, but not her; she never fell out of love with horses. Circumstances made owning
a horse impossible, but the dream never died. After all, dreams are free!
When she was about 15, she rode one of her friend's new horses,
horses her friend's father had imported from Cuba which he called Cuban Walkers. They were the most wonderful horse she had
ever ridden, small enough to ride bareback and unbelievably smooth! So, her dream got a little more specific. No longer did
she dream of owning "a horse", now she dreamed of owning a Cuban Walker. Over time she found these Cuban Walkers were also
known as Paso Finos, so once again her dream became more refined. She now knew she wouldn't be happy with any horse but a
Paso!
Her dream remained unfulfilled for over four decades. Through marriages,
moves, children and many other life changing events she went -- but she never, not ever, forgot her dream. Each time she would
see a horse, the aching would return. "Some day," she kept telling herself, "Some day."
And then it happened, and she simply could not believe it! Her
husband, who she's quick to point out is, "the best husband on the face of God's green Earth", gave her the go-ahead to buy
a horse. They were moving to the country, where she could join the ranks of backyard horse owners. She searched and searched
until she found her horse, a beautiful, small (13.2 hands), dark bay Paso mare named Simpatia Emocionante IM, called
Appeal for short. This horse cost much more than she had planned to spend, but when she laid her eyes on her, she knew this
was the horse for her. That was in 1995.
Carolyn Baker, the subject of this article, now owns two Pasos,
having since sold Appeal to a very good friend to enjoy (more on that below) and bought a gelding, El
General de Venari, and then a stallion, Encantador de Simbolo. (After all, no one owns just one Paso,
do they?) Carolyn and her horses have shared much over the past years. They'e been on beach rides, swimming together
through the waves. They'e enjoyed overnight camp outs, riding through a 20,000 acre wilderness known as DuPuis Reserve in
Martin County, and riding on The Greenways in Marion County (Ocala), Florida. They have been members of the Sheriff's Office
Mounted Unit Auxiliaries in both Palm Beach and Marion Counties, Florida. (A great way to de-spook your
horse!) They have participated in many exhibitions and parades with their local Paso club, usually
in costume. Their appearances at team penning raised many an eyebrow, until everyone saw how savvy Pasos are at this sport!
Of course, they've been on too many trail rides to even count.
And, oh yes, did I mention she shows as well? Not only in
the local monthly pleasure shows at the Palm Beach County Mounted Posse Grounds but also in PFHA and USEF regional &
national shows. Yes, Pasos do do it all!
Carolyn has a home-based business, Sonshine Computing, doing web
site designs and updating, and is a busy wife and mother of two children. As such, Carolyn says her Pasos are "the
best stress buster" going and looks forward to riding them whenever and wherever she can.
Carolyn says, "I encourage people to never, never give up on their dreams.
Dreams are free! I wanted a horse since I was five years old -- I was 50 when I finally got Appeal. You are never to
old to see your dreams come true. You'e never too old to begin riding and you're definitely never too old to begin riding
a Paso Fino!"
(above ends published portion ... but the
article continues in first
person, by Carolyn Baker)
-1998 Chapter-
After beginning to show at the local level in 1996, I plunged full speed
ahead into Regional shows, and then, in 1998, to the National Paso Fino show. I was a nervous wreck and did
not place in the first class I showed in, Costume Class, at the 1998 Nationals, but then came the 1998 Largo Race.
And to my amazement, it was our turn! Appeal lapped all of the other horses (there were seven in the class) not
once, but twice in the one mile distance they ran! (You all must really ride a largo horse one day ... the wind in your
hair, making your eyes water ... unbelievably fun.) Wow! A beautiful BLUE neck
ribbon. And so, the dream continued - my little mare, Appeal, won the 1998 Grand National Champion, Largo Race!
I was so proud of her. I will never love any horse more than I love her. She's in my heart forever.
In addition, Appeal was named 1998 High Point Pleasure Trail Riding Horse
of the Year. And I was humbled to be nominated for the PFHA Amateur Owner of the Year, didn't win of course.
Wow! Two ribbons, one beautiful plaque and lots of great memories!!! I remember thinking, "If I get to come
again (to Nationals) I will win a ribbon in Costume. And if I never get to go again,
well, I still got to do it once, and do it well we did!"
-1999-2002 Chapter-
Okay, it's addicting. Subsequent years found me again and again
at Nationals: 1999 - no ribbon in Costume ... 2000 - no ribbon in Costume. However, all that changed
in 2001 - I won Grand Champion, Costume Class! A beautiful BLUE neck ribbon for
General! Oh goodie. And Appeal, after missing two Nationals due to a bad injury, came back to win Reserve Champion,
Largo Race that same year - and proudly wore a gorgeous RED neck ribbon. Appeal was then
retired from the show ring; and she sure has enjoyed her retirement! (She has more love than you can
imagine with her new owners, Coco & Laurie Begtrup. And they love her like I do. I will always
miss Appeal being around, but I knew it would be selfish of me to not share her with a family I knew needed her. I will
never love another horse like I love Appeal. She is a part of me, in my heart, forever. She's one of a kind and
those of us who have owned her - we know how much she has enriched our lives.)
And then in 2002 I received Reserve Champion, Costume Class riding
General - and he proudly wore a gorgeous RED neck ribbon.
-2003 Chapter-
I took a break from showing and other Sunshine PFHA regional responsibilities
after '02, allowing me to spend more time with my family and more time riding. We also moved from West
Palm Beach to Ocala mid-2003. Did I ever enjoy the pleasure side of riding on the beautiful trail system on the Marion
County portion of The Cross Florida Greenway? For sure for sure!
-2004 Chapter-
The 2004 Extravaganza show in Ocala brought me out of retirement, to
show Encantador. My friend and trainer, Derek Fernandez, rode him in Performance Stallions on Friday, taking
two 4ths. I rode him on Saturday in Performance A/O Stallions, taking two 3rds. Both of us were very pleased
with his performance considering he came off only four months' training and these were his first two shows ever. I was
asked if this meant I was starting to show again. My answer, "We'll see."
-2005 Chapter-
Due to health issues, I resigned from the Marion County Sheriff's Mounted
Unit Auxiliary. So I decided to sell my "do it all" horse, General. He's now having the time of his
life being a cow pony on a working cattle ranch in Nevada, 6000' elevation, no less.
In his place is Empeño de Mark-El, a lovely gray gelding, (like General before him)
the son of El Classico de Plebeyo, and who gaits his heart out for you.
Medication for a liver disease has slowed me down this past year, but not for long!
I have an urgency to get back out on the trails and enjoy life at its best ... riding on The Greenway on my beloved
Paso Finos!
-2006 Chapter-
Made it through the six month treatment, but it didn't work for me. After about nine more
months' recovery time after treatment, I am once again enjoying my Pasos. I camp out with them and my trail dog,
Shadow. I trail ride every time I have a chance. No more drill team, no more Sheriffs' Mounted Unit Auxiliary
for me. Just going to finish raising our family, spend some much appreciated time with my hubby, and ride ride ride.
It's such a great, peaceful time for me. Thank you God for giving me the gift of horses.
-2007 Chapter-
(It'll be coming along soon, I reckon.)
Check back regularly! Pictures
and the story added on as events occur. It's a never-ending story!
Why did I write and keep updating this? Because if as a little girl I
knew that my dream COULD come true, I would never have chosen the road I chose in my life. It's truly a miracle
of God that I am still here, but by His grace I did see my dream come true. And He allowed me to live through a
lot so I could explain to those who will listen ...
THAT WHAT YOUR HEART REALLY ACHES FOR -
IT CAN BE YOURS.
Mothers, tell your children. Dreams do come true ...
and they are free, they cost nothing ...
DON'T LET GO OF YOUR DREAMS.
They are so very important in our lives ...
and I wish I knew then what I know now.
HANG ON, LOOK UP, and BELIEVE.
YOUR DREAMS WILL COME TRUE.
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