Furthermore, Bonanza Equestrian Center even offers party rental services to the public. Yet the focus still remains on teaching children the ability to handle a variety of Paso Fino horses, whether simply for pleasure, on trail rides, or in competition training. Poncho stated that “if there are no children involved in a sport, that sport will come to an end.” And so he promotes the love of horses in children and has worked to provide as many well-rounded horses and instructors to make this possible. He wants children to see horses as friends and to help them develop a relationship in which they can mutually connect. According to Poncho, the most valuable feature a horse has to offer is its immense love.

Bonanza Equestrian Center, he explained, counts on many professional Paso Fino trainers who are a hybrid of their years of experience in training and showing and the newfound task of teaching children the how-tos of their profession. Teaching is not for everyone, he highlights, and that is what makes the instructors of Bonanza so special. They have the power of experience and the knowledge to imprint onto their students. Likewise, the quality of the horses being used for instruction is just as important. If a horse has limitations, the student will only learn up to that point, but if there are many horses available to teach students different skills and levels of those same skills, there is a greater opportunity for growth. Poncho feels that the attention and effort invested in acquiring the best trainer-instructors and horses have been of utmost importance in his academy’s success. Among the most quality horses available for students at Bonanza are La Barca del Conde (fuera de concurso in Puerto Rico), Independencia (champion in about 90% of the competitions she is shown), La Galilea (national champion with a Bonanza rider), and newly acquired, La Esperanza del Portico. Although Bonanza has played an influential role in the promotion of the Paso Fino breed, Poncho prefers to abstain from partaking in horse sales. At Bonanza, horse boarding, equitation classes, and a warm family atmosphere are offered for patrons to enjoy. As far as clients purchasing horses, Poncho prefers to advise buyers rather than offer horses for sale himself. He explained that he can serve as a consultant due to his 40 years of equine experience and his daily knowledge of the students’ capabilities and potential.

Another aspect of Alfonso “Poncho” Berrio is his trajectory as a Paso Fino breeder since before arriving in the US from Colombia, where his family owned Criadero La Cantaleta, mainly owning Trocha and Trote y Galope horses. Poncho is also widely known as the owner of Bribón de San Isidro, a son of Cortesano x La Tiznada, the only Fino mare he owned in Colombia. Bribón de San Isidro earned approximately 24 grand champion titles in grade A competitions in Colombia and was titled Fuera de Concurso (out of competition). As co-owner of Bribón de San Isidro, alongside Criadero San Isidro, Poncho imported the stallion to the United States where he has notably made a great contribution to the Paso Fino breed in the US and Puerto Rico. Among other champions, Bribón de San Isidro is the sire of Vivaldi de Besilu, National Grand Champion five years in a row. Upon his arrival, Poncho pleasantly recalls having worked closely with Jaime Suarez, who was the first rider Bribón had in the US, and Janine Suarez, who managed the promotion of Bribón de San Isidro.

Bonanza Equestrian Center is not only known for its organization, dedication, and teamwork, but also its students stand out among others in their kindness and sportsmanship. When asked how Bonanza succeeds at maintaining a positive attitude and camaraderie among his students, he explained that they teach horseback riding as a sport and not a competition. He noted that children are highly competitive nowadays, so when Bonanza takes a team to a competition, they present it as a trip to have fun and perform at your best, no matter who wins. The main idea is that it is an opportunity to enjoy family time and to learn from every experience. Poncho highlights the concept of sharing so much that he shared an anecdote about lending his daughter’s personal mare to be competed by another girl at a PFHA Grand National Show because the girl had the potential to triumph but didn’t have a horse of her own at the time. He instills the importance of everyone in Bonanza behaving as a family where there is no room for negative feelings. In order to succeed at this fellowship, there is a system implemented with many tools to help students feel the utmost support and motivation from the entire team. To begin with, all instructors work as a team, sharing the same vocabulary and parameters for instruction, to provide coaching in and out of the showring. The Bonanza team even assigns an instructor to be with the child’s parents in order to maintain a clear communication regarding the performance and progress of a child. At a competition, a team of approximately 6 instructors spread around the showring to be readily available to guide their students. Thus, students feel the support, confidence, and motivation to do their best and calm the common competition anxiety that is often felt. In addition, there is always a post-competition analysis where the performance is discussed and any necessary suggestions are made.

When asked what he considered to be his greatest resource in running such a successful equitation academy, Poncho answered without hesitation: “my dedication and work”. He and his wife, Lina, dedicate 100% of their attention to the academy and even live on the same grounds. Their days are filled with taking care of every detail involved with the students, horses, instructors, and facilities so that nothing gets in the way of children learning to handle and love horses. It is no surprise that Bonanza Equestrian Center is currently one of the most effective Paso Fino equitation academies of the country and has proven to be one of the most renowned among competitions throughout the United States. Poncho is another great example of obtaining a feeling of all-around achievement when you do what you love. And Bonanza has built a name of “love” in the Paso Fino horse world.

Poncho’s Five Most…

• Who were the MOST influential people in your career? –My father; he raised cattle and loved horses. He allowed me to grow up with horses. Also, Oscar Cardona, the rider of renowned horses like Terremoto, Resorte, and Rescate; Gabriel Martinez, one of the most important riders in the history of the Paso Fino horse; and Don Fabio Ochoa and Doña Margot, who I learned very valuable lessons from at horse shows, through positive and negative moments with horses.

• What is the MOST important aspect of your work? –My dedication. I carry horses in my blood and dedicate myself completely giving it my time, my affection, my everything, and I think that is why we have been successful.

• What do you like MOST about a horse? –The moments I have been able to enjoy with the people of the horse world, which has been possible through horses.

• What would you like people to know or remember the MOST about you? –That I am a horseman from the heart. That I worked for the horse and have made great efforts for the sport not to come to an end.

• What quotes from the horse world do you say or like the MOST? –(laughs) I rather skip this question because as a man of the countryside, I have a pretty foul mouth.