Horses : COSTA RICA SADDLE HORSE (Costarricense de Paso)

Origin: Republic of Costa Rica, Central America

Also knows as Costarricense Paso, Costa Rican Saddle Horse, Costa Rican Walking Horse.

Australian Status:

International Status: popular in its home country of Costa Rica. Some in the USA.

Arrived in Australia: 21st century

Australian Population: less than 10 - 2019. Three, 2022.

2022 census - If you're able to assist us please contact our Equine Coordinator directly: Janet Lane, email: rarebreeds.equine@gmail.com
Estimate- two stallions, one mare.

History: Breed began developing from 1850. Horses from Spain and Peru were imported. A stallion from 1955, Janitzo, is considered the founding stallion -  a loudly marked sabino. In 1974 the breed organisation was formed. 

They can be seen at the biggest annual tope held at Palmares, Costa Rica - horse parades are part of festivals in Costa Rica, and called topes. There is another big tope at San Jose, in Costa Rica, annually. Every town has an annual festival for their patron saint and topes are always a part of this festival - the festivals are huge! Smaller festivals called cabalgatas are important for horses, as horse sports and long trail rides are a part of them. The Carrera de Cintas (belt race) involves spearing small rings hung from trees with a lance made by the rider. There are entry fees for topes and cabalgatas which raise money for local charities. Horses on Costa Rica are well cared for and popular.

Breed traits: A high stepping horse, gaited. Height is a minimum of 14.2½ hh (148 centimetres; 58 in) for males and 14.1½hh (146 centimetres; 57 in) for females.

Uses: riding, sport.

Breed Organisation: None here. The only stud found (may be more) is Langshaw near Gympie, Queensland,  Langshaw Stud website - following info from their website, these appear to be the only representitives of the rbeed in Australia...

-  Aguacero,,in 2008 they imported the stallion Aguacero, 15.1hh, bay, white sock offhind. Presumably from Texas, USA.  The mare which was to come with him was too heavily in foal to be imported, so was leftin Texas to foal; then she and foal were both imported here -  the mare being Noche Bueno and the foal being Creyendo. She had been put back in foal, so arrived with foal and in foal.

 - Noche Bueno is roan with white half stockings, she is from Texas and described as foundation Costa Rico El Paso.

- Creyando is now a stallion too, his sire is Deseable described as a white stallion; Creyando himself is grey and white.

- Patron, another colt, still at foot (2022) from Noche Bueno is Patron, he's by Capricho, a white stallion (there are no white horses but there are greys and albinos, not sure which these are), he came here in utero. Patron has blue eyes and is white with grey patches, a splash pattern like his half brother.

In Costa Rica:
In the United State of America: Costarricense De Paso USA website

Additional Notes:


Page by Janet Lane.
Updated 22.06.2022.

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