Eduardo Be LaCE, a Paso Fino Stallion Remembered

In times when things are changing so quickly in the Paso Fino world, it’s nice to reflect on some of our older , but not forgotten lines of the breed. Eduardo Be LaCE was born in Georgia on April 23, 1972, at the famous Paso Fino Farms, owned by George LaHood. Mr. LaHood described Eduardo as "the spitting replica of Faeton LaCE, he was a chestnut with four white socks, but he had a smaller frame, he was a real nice colt."

His ancestry was impressive. A pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino, Eduardo’s sire was Dominico LaCE, his dam Sangria LaCE. Dominico LaCE came from the famous foundation sire, Bolero LaCE. Although he was lightly shown, Dominico was a proven winner in Classic and Conformation. Sangria LaCE, offspring of another foundation sire, Faeton LaCE, was a National Champion Mare in Conformation, Classic and Performance. Eduardo was the Reserve National Stallion at the age two, but after he went to Minnesota his regular show career ended.

Eduardo’s name came about in an unusual way and was his first connection with fame. When Rosalie MacWilliam, the registrar for the first association in this country noted the birthdate of the colt, she suggested that he be named Eduardo Be LaCE, as this was the birthday of Edward Bierly, the famous wildlife artist, who designed the Paso Fino Horse Association logo. At the age of two, Eduardo was sold to Dr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Garamella, owners of Wind Song Farms in Maple Minnesota, and before long he was affectionately know as Eddie. One of the most endearing aspects of the horse’s of the horse’s personality was his relationship with the Garamella’s daughter , Tiffany, who considered him her precious playmate. The two were inseparable, spending endless hours with Eddie inside his stall. Her mother Jacqueline described the unusual companions " like two birds in
flight , in perfect unison."

When eight year old Tiffany joined Eddie in the arena, he followed her everywhere. When she jumped he would jump, when she rolled on the ground he rolled too! Tiffany would lie down in the arena and Eddie would lie down next to her, carefully respecting Tiffany’s space. And when they played tag, the gentle Paso Fino would zig-zag along with his two legged friend. He was spirited with true brio and outstanding in natural beauty and gait. One never had to worry if he was in or out gait, he was always gaiting.

In fact, his precise gait led to the smoothness of his ride. As I understand it, once a famous writer in the Paso world was given a Paso to ride and its owner asked, "Isn’t this the smoothest Paso Fino you have ever ridden?" To which the writer quickly replied, " No, Eduardo Be LaCE is the smoothest Paso Fino I have ever ridden!" This was the opinion of all who rode the great Paso Fino.

In addition to looking out for the weanlings during the winter months, it was Eduardo’s job to breed to many mares. Can you imagine a stallion herding and caring for weanlings? He was turned out on the one hundred acres with as many as fourteen babies at a time. They followed him everywhere, he guided them and was never mean or threatening. In the spring he was turned out with the mares to breed naturally on the farm, which he did successfully.

In 1986 Eduardo was sold to Ted and Sue Leagjeld of Blueberry Bay Farms in Pine River, Minnesota. As Sue describes it she "just had to have him," since she had purchased one of his babies in 1979. As his owner she came to appreciate the stallion’s brio, precise gait-always gaiting, never walking-his gentlemanly manners, and his breathtaking handsome chestnut coat, the smoothest horse she ever rode. She had memorable hours at state parks and trail-riding with the cooperative, well behaved Eddie. According to Sue, the horse was "quite a Cassanova," in the way he loved and kissed his mares.

He sired a total of thirty-six registered foals, born on Wind Song Farms and Blueberry Bay Farms, who were said to inherit his disposition and superb gait, many successful in the show ring. The remarkable Eduardo BeLaCE died of natural causes at the age of seventeen. To this day the Leagjelds find it difficult to talk about their loss. Eddie was loved by everyone who met him, in fact, by some who never met him. I was inspired to write about the memorable and unusual Paso Fino, not because I knew him, but because I love him through the last baby he sired, my horse, Florita Catalina. She has inherited Eduardo’s characteristics of grace, natural beauty and precise gait and I feel honored and blessed to own her.

Much thanks to the Garamella family, the Leagjeld family, GeorgeLaHood and Rosalie MacWillam, for her precise details and editing of this article. Permission to use photos was granted by the Garamella’s and the Leagjeld’s.

On May 25, 2000 I breathed a sigh of relief when Florita Catalina gave
birth to a handsome, healthy colt, Eduardo de Mateo. She had become sick
and was at risk, so he was born in a hospital. Named for his grandsire,
Eduardo BeLaCE, the young offspring very much resembles him in
conformation and in his refined and elegant presence. Eduardo is
naturally gaited and never misses a beat. The strong gene for a natural
gaited horse and brio has definitely been passed on. He is also very
gentle and loves people and other horses.

On Saturday, September 9, Tiffany met her former horse’s special little
grandoffspring. There was magic and excitement in their meeting. He
responded immediately to Tiffany’s attention and followed her as if he
knew her! The second half of Eduardo’s name–Mateo–means God’s gift. He
truly is a precious gift to us all!

Eduardo will standing for stud service in the year 2002 at Pasos de Miel
Arroyo Farm in Rockport, Ma. He is the only grandson of Eduardo BeLaCE
known to be available for stud service.

Deborah J Ramsey owner
111 South Street
Rockport, Ma 01966
978-546-9138

Eduardo’s father Dominico LaCE was full brother to Marichal!!!

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