-PPF: When was your beginning in Paso Fino? When did you begin in the United States?
Surprisingly, the Suarez brothers do not come from a family of equine tradition. Their initial hobby was swimming and, though there were some relatives who had horses, they did not have much contact with horses themselves. However, they all expressed the inexplicable and undying passion they held for horses. As children, they had horse toys, they always asked to go horseback riding, and only had access to rental horses. As Joselín shared, their first horse, Canario, actually came as an incentive to Jorge for his academic success. Laughing, he remembered how the only way they all were able to have access to the horse was when Jorge was tired and gave them a turn. This was when they met Don Cundá Figueroa and his son, Juan Ramón, in Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. As they explained, Juan Ramón Figueroa became their greatest mentor in life because he not only taught them everything he knew about horses, but he also was a wonderful example for their development as human beings. Their respect and admiration for Juan Ramón came up time and time again throughout their interviews, proving how meaningful he was in their upbringing and still today. Theirs, is an overpowering innate passion that was, as they say, was bound to take form one way or another. Through the years, they had more exposure and experience as they studied, worked, and spent all the time they could with horses. Jorge recalled when horses began being imported from Colombia in the 1970s, initiating the cross with Puerto Rican bloodlines, bringing more beauty, speed, and posteriors. They began traveling to the United States and Colombia, broadening their vision and exposing themselves to more and more knowledge of the Paso Fino horse.

Their transition to the United States began as a learning experience working at International Paso Fino Farm, among others, and soon after led to a life goal: to live and work with horses. The Suarez brothers repeatedly expressed how their passion for horses tied their family together so closely. Thanks to their mother, Mirna Conde, and her tireless efforts to support her daughter’s and four sons’ interest for horses, 4J became a reality. Javier clearly remembers sitting with his sister and brothers to find a name for their Paso Fino business after their mother and grandmother purchased their first farm in Ocala in 1984. Slowly, they built stables and fences themselves and paved the way to their lives today; each owning their own farm and each running their own business under the 4J name and with 4J standards. Their mother always made it clear that family would always be the most important aspect of life and this lesson is strongly embedded in all of them. Working alongside each other has proven to be a challenge in having to compete against each other and deal with some of the same clients at times, but the Suarez brothers have a clear division between business and family that allows them to keep love and respect for everyone as a top priority. As Jorge stated, “when you are a fan of your family, everything flows.” 

Although Joselín initially moved to the United States, his temporary return to Puerto Rico became permanent when a family friend, Marina Valladares, requested his help in managing her farm after suddenly losing her husband. He married Ana Salgado, former president of Los Abiertos Paso Fino association and Confepaso. Joselín describes Ana as an “institution in the horse world.” His career expanded to many areas in the horse world, including opening his own tack store, Aperos 4J, in Caguas. He is also a respected judge in the United States and Puerto Rico, where he was also the president of the judges association at one time. Together, Ana and Joselín currently own and live at Criadero SS along with their daughters. 

-PPF: What horses have been the most memorable for you?
Javier: “There are so many. Each horse holds its own… It’s not just the horses, but also the owners. Every horse leaves a mark; they are a big illusion. If I had to name horses, I would say Tornado and La Manuela.”
Jorge: “Each horse is a chapter. Pedregal, because he was bred and developed by 4J. There is a lot still to be done. Stars are still being born.”
Joselín: “It is different when you have owned so many horses. I would say La Tuna and Piloto de Resorte IV because they gave La Carrilera. She was the mother of Pedregal and Tornado. Also, I would say Capricho de Santa Cruz, Pretenciosa de Cofresí, Inesperado de PF, and Manuela del Conde.”

-PPF: Who are the most memorable people for you?
Javier: “Juan Ramon Figueroa- my greatest mentor, David Castro- a complete gentleman, Alvaro Iriarte- a very influential leader, and Cese Figueroa- who holds a great trajectory.”
Jorge: “So many important people in my life; as clients, Bob Spence, Dick Miller, Steve and Jane White, Amy Yarborough, Sarah King, Bridgette Berisford, among others. Also, I greatly admire Steve White and German Velez. German lives horsemanship on so many levels; he likes everything about horses and I feel we have that in common.”
Joselín: “Without a doubt, Juan Ramon Figueroa is at the base of everything. Also, Jorge Moreno opened many doors. David Castro has been a great influence and has marked the lives of the Suarez family. Alvaro Iriarte, a great gentleman for whom I have immense admiration and who I celebrate. There are so many great friends and clients.”

-PPF: What have been the most valuable resources for your performance?
Javier: “Valuing the culture of family and valuing and respecting clients. Providing the honesty that one expects for oneself as well.”
Jorge: “The blessing of having adopted from Colombia, Puerto Rico, and everywhere and being able to see and learn a fusion to create our own system. In the US, it has been to learn about the training of other horse breeds and to learn about nutrition, technology, veterinary medicine, etc. Ocala has so much of everything and that offers more extensive options. The most important thing is having interest and desire and the thirst to keep learning.”
Joselín: “My passion is what is most valuable. When we have a passion for something, there are no obstacles. This has driven and motivated us. Seeing my mother, at 82 years of age, watching competitions online. My mother’s unconditional support and how she believes in us and is always there for us. Also, knowing that there is opportunity for everyone and that we have never been nor will ever be an obstacle for anyone.”

-PPF: What do you consider would improve the Paso Fino horse world?
Javier: “We have to celebrate the culture of the horse. Being decent and elegant makes us all better. This is a healthy family-oriented pastime. We like to feel the horse in the best expression of itself; we should have, make, and feel quality horses. It is gratifying to see how horses have improved and continue to improve in quality. We must have standards and educate our clients.”
Jorge: “That it doesn’t matter where a horse comes from or who has it as long as whoever has a horse, keeps it well and that they represent their horse in the best possible way. It doesn’t matter to me which horse is better, the point is letting the product speak for itself. During a competition, the judge is the thermometer that measures at that moment. Every association is responsible for educating judges to know and do their best job. We must be clear.”
Joselín: “The Paso Fino horse has developed immensely. The quality of training has also improved greatly. The influence of American training has been a spectacular ingredient. But, sadly, the associations get worse and worse. This is a historic point in Paso Fino and associations have not evolved alongside the development of horses and training. The sport is a fruit of the breeding and associations are responsible for setting the standards and norms to be followed.”

-PPF: If you had the opportunity to be a pioneer for Paso Fino horses anywhere in the world, how would you introduce the Paso Fino horse?
Javier: “Through its elegance; among all the gaited horse breeds, Paso Fino stands out because of its elegance and comfort. It is a manageable and tame horse, but with brio.”
Jorge: “Historically, Paso Finos are known for their comfortable ride. But the horse has evolved to become a powerhouse. Despite its small size and smoothness, it has so much power. That makes it an exciting product. Sometimes I don’t realize how far Paso Fino has come and there is still so much to be done.”
Joselín: “Our horse is distinguished by its gait because it makes the rider feel something so different from all other horses. A person falls in love with a Paso Fino by riding it. It isn’t the same to ride a horse than to horseback ride.”

-PPF: What do you consider have been your greatest accomplishments or lessons so far?
Javier: “Being able to think of bloodlines to cross and seeing the entire process of development through to training, managing, and reaching success. It is a marvelous satisfaction. Also, witnessing how my family has been making a living with horses through 3-4 decades now. They have given us great satisfaction and we have been able to give them great lives.”
Jorge: “Being consistent every day, having great teamwork, seeing how people support and believe in me. I have been blessed with clients who are like family to me.”
Joselín: “Being able to enjoy life doing what I love; with family and with horses. Being able to enjoy horses with my family because we all love it. Seeing that my wife, daughters, nieces and nephews, and mother share my passion for horses.”

-PPF: What has been the most significant sign of affection you have received from a horse?
Javier: “I have always been surprised to see what happened with Manuelo; a horse I bred, trained, and competed, who was very calm and competitive. One day, I had another rider compete him while I was on another horse and when I saw him, he was trying to jump out of the show ring. After that, he was never the same. It left an impression in me to see that he only wanted to compete ridden by me. It’s interesting to see how they react when they feel something.”
Jorge: “I don’t have anything in particular, but I sleep with my window open and I always know what is going on with my horses. I keep myself connected.”
Joselín: “We cohabitate with our horses and know that they all have a distinct personality. I feel identified with Inesperado de PF. He is so expressive; he demands our attention. If you throw a ball at him, he throws it back. He feels that he is part of our family nucleus. During Hurricane Maria, Ana and I decided Inesperado would stay with us inside the house, so we accommodated the living room for him. This is another dimension; we know the look in his eye. He is always paying attention to us.”

-PPF: What importance do you consider should be given to having a firm hand versus love when training a horse?
Javier: “The same importance that Mirna Conde gave- a lot of love and a lot of respect. As German Velez says ‘lots of carrots, but keeping the whip handy’.” Just as we do with our children.
Jorge: “The Paso Fino horse is not a pet. It is a competitive animal that needs a lot of work and intensity. We have to be firm and loving. We need to caress them and speak to them- they know. It’s all about balance and depends on the situation.”
Joselín: “It’s the same as with our children. Love makes us conscious of having to have a firm hand, but with gentility and at the adequate moment. We caress them and they give us feedback. A firm hand and love must be kept on the balance, compensating each other.”

-PPF: Who have been your biggest teachers or mentors in Paso Fino?
Javier: “The Paso Fino world is full of everything and we must know how to learn from everyone. But the one who teaches us the most is the horse. I learned a lot from Dayro Chica. All our lives, with all of our horses, we knew that we wanted healthy horses with long careers who we could enjoy and that would end up being sires and dams to more great horses.”
Jorge: “We learn from who we least expect. Every time I learn something new, I know what I did was worth it. I have learned the most from horses. I know to keep what works for me and let go of what does not. Age and experience also teach. We have learned to read the horse better.”
Joselín: “Wilo Fuentes [Paso Fino judge] was a great example and a great friend. He respected me so much despite me being so young for a judge.”

4J’s Five MOST…

• Who were the MOST influential people in your career?
  Jaime: “My siblings, my entire family, Juan Ramon Figueroa, and David Castro.”
  Javier: “All my siblings and my mother.”
  Jorge: “That changes through time. My mother, because she gave me the means to do this.”
  Joselín: “Juan Ramon Figueroa. I maintain constant contact with him. He is a spectacular person, full of anecdotes. He is a bible in the Paso Fino world.”

• What is the MOST important aspect of your work?
  Jaime: “Being able to train a horse that can be handled by anyone and take him to its maximum expression.”
  Javier: “To give a good example to my daughters and to be here for my daughters and wife, and for Jaimito and Rafa.”
  Jorge: “It is my passion. I live it in all aspects.”
  Joselín: “I do what I love every day and I am with people lo love what I love. It is the source of income that has allowed me to take care of my family and educate my daughters. I learn something every day in my line of work and have grown tremendously. Also, I have been able to help develop young professionals by providing them with tools and resources.”

• What do you like MOST about a horse?
  Jaime: “It’s nobility, intelligence, smoothness, beauty, and the desire the Paso Fino horse has to please its rider.”
  Javier: “It is my life. It’s everything. I love horses, the country, and family.”

Jorge: “That it doesn’t talk back.”
Joselín: “I have a friend who says that the horse is a psychologist. We forget everything when we are with a horse. It allows us to perceive its energy, disposition, brio, and comfort. I simply love horses. I even enjoy cleaning stalls.”

• What would you like people to know or remember the MOST about you?
  Jaime: “They will remember what they see; the passion with which I train and exhibit my horses.”
  Javier: “I care about what my family thinks of me.”

Jorge: “That my work here was not in vain.”
Joselín: “I never think of that. I care what my wife, daughters, and family think of me. I am a good person and never harm anyone. I’d like to leave a positive print in life.”

• What quotes from the horse world do you say or like the MOST?
  Jaime: “‘Hay que guapear.’ = You have to work hard. Because the horse as well as I have to give our maximum when we enter a show ring and I always work to do just that.”
  Javier: “‘El hombre vago no baila ni con mujer bonita ni con caballo fino.’ = The lazy man doesn’t dance with a pretty lady nor a Fino horse.”
  Jorge: “‘Me gusta el caballo fino venga de donde venga.’ = I like the Fino horse no matter from where it comes.”
  Joselín: “‘De caballos no saben ni las yeguas.’ = Not even mares know about horses. The horse is full of secrets.”