Southern Cross Ranch is proud to present the trainer of champions, Juan Carlos Conde. Juan Carlos is from the Viequez, Puerto Rico. He has been in the United States for approximately 18 years, and has trained many of the champions that have become highly recognized in the breed.

As a child Juan Carlos was riding at three years old and his father Carlos Conde Jr., began to teach him to train horses as his father had taught him. Though out Juan Carlos years of elementary and high school, he learned many techniques in training the Paso Fino from both father and grandfather. After high school Juan Carlos went on to college in San Juan returning home to his island every weekend to help his family work and train horses. After three years of college he decided he wanted a career training horses, as that had been the family business for many generations. After reaching the decision to be a Paso Fino trainer he came to America bringing his knowledge and techniques with him.

Juan Carlos trained horses in different areas of Florida and Kentucky before moving to Alabama in 1993, where over a six year period he bred and trained National and World Champions Jazmin de Isla, La Chata de Isla, Venganza de Isla, the famous Alegria de Besilu, National Champion Bandito de Nevado, and many others. Juan Carlos and the horses he trained helped make Oak Island Farm famous.

When asked what he wanted to achieve most in the near future his response was, "To use my professionalism, knowledge, integrity and trust from my family, friends, clients and horses, to be the best I can be, to bring the best out of the horses I train, and to teach my family and clients all I can to enrich their knowledge and ability to ride and show the Paso Fino horse."