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Peruvian
Paso Horse Festival
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Location:
Pachacámac (Lima)
Date: April 15-20
The
Spanish horse, bred with the Arab stallion and reared in
a desert environment, which formed its gait, gave rise to
the Peruvian Paso horse. For 300 years, the blood of this
new breed was improved upon until the Paso horse developed
the characteristics that have made it one of the world's
most beautiful and elegant breeds. Breeders, chalán
riders and artisans, over the years, have worked on the
art of ambladura -the synchronized gait of the fore and
hindlegs- which in turn gave rise to the elegant steps and
dress of the marinera.
The
entire costume comprises the saddle and trimmings and the
splendid outfit of the chalán himself (white shirt
and trousers, wide-brimmed straw hat, vicuña wool
poncho, handkerchief, boots and spurs).
This
tradition, which has been exported all over the world, has
been spurred on by a number of competitions both along the
Peruvian coast as well as in the highlands.
The
most important competition, however, is the National El
Paso Horse Competition held every year at the Mamacona stables
near Pachacámac, located 30 km south of Lima.
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