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Hacienda Guadalupe specializes in Paso Fino horses
By Marilyn Rodriguez

Located in the heart of Miami's horse country, the Hacienda Guadalupe horse ranch is the proud owner of last year's Paso Fino world champion, Two-Twenty-Two.Bred and trained at the ranch owned by the Sanz family, the horse has won numerous competitions. At just nine years old, Two Twenty-Two has already been named one of the top 10 sires in the country, has received first place and won the grand championship in the Classic Paso Fino Category, and has obtained the Get of Sire Award in the U.S. in both 1998 and 2000.

The Paso Fino, a mixture of three European breeds, is known for its smooth gait. It was introduced into the new world by the Spanish Conquistadors and brought to the United States in the 1940s. 

The Paso Fino is characterized by its elegance, loyalty, power, spirit and grace. Its exceptionally smooth four-beat gait makes it an ideal horse for pleasure riding, particularly for beginners.Paso Fino horses have been in the Sanz family for four generations.

Ernesto Sanz Jr., national senior certified judge for the Paso Fino Horse Association and co-owner of the Hacienda Guadalupe ranch with his father, has been in the horse business most of his life. The Sanz family tradition began in Cuba, where his grandfather owned a ranch with about 25 horses. Later, in Puerto Rico, the tradition continued with another horse ranch owned by his father.Sanz' passion for riding began when he was two years old, when he would go riding with his dad in Puerto Rico. He began his professional career at 16, shortly after gaining his riding license."This is a passion I have," said Sanz. "All aspects - the riding, the breeding - it is a blessing to be able to do it as a business."Continuing the family tradition, the Sanz began the Santa Barbara ranch in 1980 after moving to Miami.

(Left to right) Michael, Mathew and  Michael take off a few minutes  and strike a pose.

They started the Hacienda Guadalupe ranch, at 6401 SW 125 Ave., nearly 17 years ago with 25 horses."Our goal is to produce champion horses," said Sanz. "That is what we breed and strive for."Currently, there are about 120 Paso Fino horses on the property, 70 of them owned by the Sanz family. The ranch sprawls across seven-and-half acres and on the southeast corner of 125th Avenue and 64th Street. There are 45 stalls and five acres dedicated to horses in pasture. A training round is also on the property. Stable hands, a trainer assistant and a blacksmith are all members of a knowledgeable staff hired by Sanz for their talent and qualifications.

Several veterinarians visit the ranch regularly to ensure that all the horses are in optimal health."I have a passion for the Paso Fino that started when I was very young," said Sanz. "I was riding by the time I was two and it was what I liked doing best."Although he is no longer directly involved with the training, Sanz oversees the five on-site trainers.Aside from training and selling Paso Fino horses, the Hacienda Guadalupe offers several other services, including boarding, buyer education, consulting and appraisal, import services, show transportation and client exhibition. The farm's breeding service includes an embryo transfer program with 30 mares on site, as well as the selling of semen for mare insemination.

Moreover, Gema Sanz, the youngest Sanz sibling, offers riding lessons to horse aficionados of all ages.Although there are no current vacancies for horse boarding, boarding fees are about $350 month, a price that includes feed, hay, watering, bedding, stall and cleaning. Prices for a horse span a broad range. A pleasure riding Paso Fino starts at about $2,500, while a champion Paso Fino could cost from $20,000 to more than $1 million.A family owned and operated business, everyone shares the same passion for horses. Sanz Sr. and his wife Rosa host family night every Friday. They ride together with their four children, Ernie, Maritere, Shelly and Gema and their 11 grandchildren."It is good to see the family in it," said Sanz. "We all share the same passion for the horse."For more information, please call 305-596-0704 or address email to e.sanz@att.net.