by Juan E Villanueva
President FDCPFPR (Federación) 2002-2005

The Dulce Sueño Fair will be celebrating the 31st anniversary March, 2009. It was established March 1979 in the town of Guayama, PR, on the south-eastern part of the island and since then the first weekend of March has been dedicated to the father of the Puerto Rican Paso Fino Breed - Dulce Sueño.

All Puerto Rican paso finos are traced back to this Foundation Sire – Dulce Sueño. This magnificent horse was born in Guayama in 1927. His proud owner Don Genaro Cautiño Insúa (1882-1948) was a sugar cane baron and also a politician, who was mayor of Guayama, his birth town. In 1918 while he was mayor, he brought a fountain from France and donated it to the city.  The fountain was placed in the Plaza (town square). His residence, known today as “Museo Casa Cautiño” is located in one of the corners of the “plaza” and very close to the beautiful San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church. It is now a museum and is open to the public.

In the middle of the 19th century the term "paso fino" which means "fine step" was used for the first time in the history of the world to describe the characteristics of a group of horses  in Puerto Rico. Later on the name given to this prominent characteristic was applied to the breed, and thus the Paso Fino breed.

In his book “Paso Fino: Raza Que Distingue UN Pueblo”, my friend and writer Lcdo. Eduardo A. Quijano, quotes (P. 18) historian Adolfo de Hostos from his book “Ciudad Murada”, “the incentive received by the breeders with such measures brought excellent results toward the sixth decade (1865). One of these breeders Fernandez & Aponte was able to produce, thanks to a very good selection, a breed known by the name Paso Fino Horses, very admired and famous in all of the Antilles”.

By the time he died on April 29, 1941, Dulce Sueño had sired over 60 sons and daughters . Most of them became champions as well in the years to come. Among these we find, Guamani, Dulce Sueño Jr., Batalla, Noche Buena, Sorpresa, Borinquen, Congo Fino and Duce.

In 1979 a group of local citizens decided to honor the horse that was bred, raised and died in their town and who, for many, brought back memories of the many exhibitions given right on the street, in front of its owner’s home by this extraordinary horse and its rider and exhibitor Don Eusebio Massó. In his honor they organized a show and named it La Feria Dulce Sueño.

Through the years Feria Dulce Sueño has become a cultural celebration and the biggest Puerto Rican Paso Fino show on the island, a three day event featuring the best of the best, from all over the island. One day is dedicated to fillies and mares, another to colts and stallions. Horses compete in both “Bellas Formas and Paso Fino classes. Equestrian events are also held on both days. “Criollo” horses (caballos de pueblo) are also featured; these are non-registered horses demonstrating their pleasure riding gaits (paso corto, paso largo, andadura). Champions are also selected among this group. Another island tradition are the night rides (cabalgatas) where people gather to ride especially on weekends.

But there is more to the fair than just horses. This a fiesta that includes handcrafts by local artisans, paintings, typical foods, local beverages, dance groups, music and folkloric entertainment...really something no one wants to miss. And on top of all this, the admission to the show is free of charge! Members of the three Pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino organizations, Federación, Asociación Nacional and Asociación Insular, are eligible to compete.

In 1980, a distinguished citizen joined the directors of the Dulce Sueño Fair, Mr. Fernando (Ico) Beiró Suárez, and the following year, he became its president. For 22 years he took over the reins of the fair, moving it from the old Ina Calimano Baseball Park to the new and modern facilities, “Coliseo Dulce Sueño”, built by the city of Guayama under the sponsorship of Hon. Hector L Colon Mendoza, mayor. Mr. Beiró was a friend and an enthusiastic lover of our culture and a devoted defender of the Paso Fino Breed. He passed away on July 26, 2002. Since then, a committee composed of young and entrepreneurial gentlemen has taken over the direction of the Fair. The committee includes Mr. Rafael Terrassa, president, with Mr. Hostos Gallardo, Mr. José M Vivó and Mr. Lorenzo Beiró.

The following is a translation of the brochure that was produced for that 1st Feria Dulce Sueño in March 2-4, 1979:

The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture is devoted to the preservation of our cultural values and customs, in addition to the physical preservation of our cultural heritage such as historical structures and museums. This is a non-profit organization, with no political ties and as such. The Institute runs a series of programs, forums, recitals, concerts, cultural and artistic exhibitions, classes, movies and publications that are free to the general public for their cultural enrichment. The local affiliate in Guayama is the Luis Palés Matos Cultural Center which is presided by the well known artist Mrs. Marina P. Clinchard, with a strong support from the Board of Directors which is all local volunteers. The local cultural center had three major objectives for the city of Guayama at that time. One of them was the Dulce Sueño Fair. “This will be an island wide activity and it is expected to draw between 10,000–12,000 visitors during the weekend. This activity will be called Feria-Expo Dulce Sueño, opened to all horses registered in one of the three recognized organizations on the island. "

"We expect at least 200 of the best enthusiastic competitors from the island; many of which will represent us in the Pan American Games coming to Puerto Rico this summer. This Fair will be the most spectacular activity and of great impact in the city of Guayama in a long time, in addition it will be a fantastic tourist attraction”.

“The Tourism Company, the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, the Department of Sports and Recreation together with other government agencies have come together, cooperating with this Cultural Center, but we also need the help of every citizen, local civic and cultural organizations, as well as the banking and business community, in order to obtain a great success in this endeavor.”

“The directors of the Luis Palés Matos Cultural Center welcome you to this our 1st Dulce Sueño Fair-Expo. We hope that with the support of all the lovers of this sport, we be made aware of and give recognition to, the labor of love and effort that it entails, in order to elevate the Paso Fino horse to a cultural level, as a heritage to the history and the culture of Puerto Rico.”

The Board of Directors of the DulceSueño Fair – 1979 were, the following:

Mrs. Marina P. Clinchard, President
Mrs. Jane Matos, Vice President
Mr. Confesor Flores, Treasurer
Mrs. Idalia T. Dominguez, Secretary

Other members of the board were: Reynaldo Haddock Montes, Carmen Santiago, Ita Rivera, Wilfredo Cotto, Margot Bernardini and Dinelia Artud Corujo.

Some of the winners of the 1st Dulce Sueño Fair were the following:

Champion Bellas Formas Filly & Champion Bellas Formas Colt:
“Ilamica” (Picaflor X Miss Puerto Rico), Mr. Jose M. Miranda – Owner
“Fleco de Oro” (Papyrus X Casta de Oro), Mr. Francisco Rodriguez – Owner

Champion Bellas Formas Mare & Champion Paso Fino Colt:
“Miss Puerto Rico” (Mr. Puerto Rico X Chitty), Mr. Jose M. Miranda – Owner
“Plebeyo”  (Kofresi X Sayonara), Mr. Jose M. Miranda – Owner

Champion Paso Fino Mare  & Champion Paso Fino Horse:
“Guajana de Domingo” (Domingo X Lluvia de Oro), Mr. Jose V. Valladares – Owner
“Freko” (Cialito X Furiosita), Mr. Diego Suarez – Owner