Arizona
Peruvian Paso Mare rescued from filth and starvation takes honors at pomona Championship horse show
By Patricia Haight, Ph.D.
Apr 30, 2008, 10:27

Hija de Sol Y Luna wins the blue and reserve champion halter mare with world renowned Chalan Juan Garayar as her handler

Hija de Sol Y Luna (aka Sunrise) a stunning palomino Peruvian Paso mare who was rescued six years ago from filth and neglect added to her amazing rags to riches story last weekend by taking first place in halter mares and reserve champion halter mare at the Southern California Peruvian Paso Horse Club’s Spring Classic Championship show held at the LA County Fairplex on April 12 and April 13, 2008.

Sol Y Luna was rescued with several other horses including her protector and lifelong friend, Conquistador, in August 2001 from severe starvation and neglect. Conquistador also became a champion after his rescue and watched over the little mare with the platinum mane and tail for most of her growing years.

World renown trainer and master chalan, Juan Garayar, took Sol Y Luna under his wing and has been patiently training and preparing Sol Y Luna for her entrance into the A show world for more than a year. The team took many blue ribbons in Equistar shows in the Valley. The team’s hard work paid off when Sol Y Luna was awarded first place in mares in halter and named reserve champion halter mare for the Spring Classic Championship show by Judge Hugh Richardson in her first appearance on the Peruvian A circuit.

In a recent rescue of Peruvian horses from Colorado, another famous horse was discovered. S.H. Burlon, a magnificent chestnut stallion was found among 15 horses living in filth and neglect. S. H. Burlon is the son and grandson of two of the greatest Peruvian lauredo champions in history, A.E.V. Oro Negro and A.E.V. Regional, and great grandson to the foundation sire, Sol de Oro (V).

Chalan Juan Garayar has done S.H. Burlon the great honor of agreeing to take him to his Paso Robles Ranch and stand him at stud to carefully selected mares to preserve one of the oldest and most famous bloodlines of the Peruvian breed. Recently, the granddaughter of Oro Negro’s owner contacted the Haights to share family history and photos of the stallions.

Sol Y Luna, Conquistador, and S.H. Burlon are all descendants of the great Sol de Oro (V), the ultimate rescued horse who was discovered by Peruvian horseman Gustavo de la Borda on a peasant farm in Southern Peru with a badly deformed leg from a break, was purchased by him for $200.00, and was rehabilitated to become a great sire. Virtually, every National Champion of Champions in Peru since 1961 has carried the bloodline of Sol de Oro (V) and every U. S. Champion of Champions since 1973. These horses all demonstrate that horses rescued and rehabilitated are no different than any other horse and, in fact, are some of the finest members of the horse world. Burlon, Conquistador, and Sol Y Luna will continue to spread the message to adopt a rescued and rehabilitated horse looking for a home.

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