My First Trip to Brazil - written by Jane Switzer, from The Horse Show

I don't know where to begin so much has been going on - so I'll start with the horse part - so far I have ridden 6 different horses. Three stallions and three mares all Mangalarga Marchadors.  (Thank you Cheryl for preparing me to step up to the plate and ride - I couldn't have ridden even one of these horses if it wasn't for the hours you so willing put in to me and my success.)

Haras El Far

The first night at El Far they were doing a demonstration with one of the stallions - when it was over I said NEXT - and Magdi said SURE - I said I was just kidding but Magdi wouldn't let me weasel out.  So I went over and stepped on - what a ride - you know you can only ever have a first kiss - you remember it forever - well that is how my ride was - there will only ever be one first ride on the MM.

The MM seems to be very willing, saavy and smooth to ride. I am currently at Haras El Far. Magdi the owner of the farm is also the president of ABCCMM. Magdi has about 1500 horses here. Here at Haras El Far Magdi has allowed us to ride his finest horses - I am told this is typical of all the Brazilian breeders of the MM. The line is quite pure. The way that he chooses who breeds who is by looking at the mares side - for several generations. He believes that the mares side is the important side. A side note is that the El Far part of Haras El Far was his mothers name before she married his father.

I still can not believe I am really here. I an not even put into words how generous and friendly the people have been.

Sophia's Story - The Way of St James on Mangalarga Marchadors

A life-long dream to ride the Way of St.James!

Written by Sophia Baptista de Oliveira, Haras Maripa, Brasil

For many years, my husband Marcelo has cherished the dream of riding the Saint James' Way in Spain, on his own Mangalarga Marchador horses. When he accepted the invitation from ABCCMM to join the "Projeto Vitrine do Marchador" in Europe, he promptly realized that the time had come. He would finally have the opportunity of making his old dream come true. At the time Marcelo had just turned 60 and Haras Maripá had "turned" 30 years old! Two good reasons to celebrate "comme il faut". In our case: in the saddle!

Two stallions, Patek and Urano de Maripa arrived in Germany in November 2010. Despite the cold in Europe they easily adapted. Thanks, also, to Astrid, Dieter and their team, all wonderful people to whom they were trusted.  We visited them during Equitana, last March, and  were very happy to see how well and healthy  they were. We returned to Brazil certain that our adventure would have a great chance of being successful.

Taking a cool break 

Marcelo has always been fanatic about horses. He's been raising Mangalarga Marchador for 31 years now and is a great enthusiast and developer of the breed.  Haras Maripá has been developing its own bloodline mixing horses themselves, individuals.

The stallions are the sons of Oma de Maripá. (Laio de Maripá x Martinica HO, both in Brasil’s ELITE book.)

Patek is the result of an extraordinary genetics that comes from Laio and Moderna de Maripá. Laio has been a national champion and his mother, Festa AJ, an unforgettable breeding mare, also a national champion and gait champion, was a stunning chestnut mare!

Moderna de Maripá comes from Emoção de Maripá and Laio. Emoção is a daughter of Furacão Bela Cruz and Cafundó 3 Pontas, descending of two of the most ancient and traditional Mangalarga Marchador's farms: Abaíba and Herdade. The latter represented by Herdade Jupiá, 4-time national champion. Cafundó 3 Pontas was one of the most important of Cafundo's mares, an animal with unique comfort and temperament, and this Marcelo has been able to prove on the occasions he has had the opportunity of riding her.

Urano, is the offspring of a crossing of our genetics with the lineage 53. His mother, Bejota de Maripá, is a daughter of Major Pitanga's, one of the best horses Marcelo has ever ridden in terms of comfort. Urano is a grandson of Bagdá de Maripá's, full sister of Laio's, and great-grandson of Festa AJ's.

Sergio Lima Beck with Marcelo Baptista de Oliveira
on Patek de Maripa

Paulo Junqueira and Aurelio Tagua del Pozo also trusted our horses promptly and took the challenge to organize our trip with all the infrastructure and logistics necessary. Sergio Beck believed in the project since its beginning and supported us all the time, and even rode with Marcelo during the first days, before my arrival to ride the Galician part of the "Camino". We also had the company of Juan Bajo de Isasi, our guide, and his mount Miguelito, a chestnut vaulting horse very adapted to the "Camino". All of them totally indispensable!!!

We rode about 30 km per day, at 9km per hour, on average, depending on the ground. The ground, my major concern from the beginning, was really difficult. A lot of stones, gravels, some parts with very old stone paving. We used "Videas" on the horseshoes to have more adherence. And our brave horses, they stood strong! Without complaints! All they wanted was to ride, get back to the road!

We got in the saddle at about 10 in the morning. We always stopped for lunch at amazing places previously chosen by  Paulo and Aurelio. While we had lunch the horses were fed and groomed. When back to our saddles, our horses were ready and crazy to go back to the trail. We usually arrived at our destination around 5 in the afternoon. The horses would then go to their stables, and we to our hotels, get ready for dinner.

Meeting other pilgrams on the trail - Camino de Santiago

On a trip like this, you end up spending a lot of time with yourself. Marcelo used to say that what he had in mind most of these moments, when we stopped by the churches along the "Camino" for our prayers, was that he would like people to treat animals better, that he wished their behavior towards them would be more focused in quality, less in violence.

The "Camino" is marvelous! It's really a very ancient trail. Celtic.  Mystical. Full of pilgrims who would always look at us with curiosity at first and then astonishment when learning that our horses had come all the way from Brazil! Unprecedented!


For the first time Brazilian horses were doing that sacred trail!

Success!  Sophia and Marcelo arrive in Santiago de Compostela.
9 days and 300 km.

Photo credits Paula da Silva.  All rights reserved.

Enya do Summerwind - dies tonight

Enya was a beautiful foal.  Her mother passed away
unexpectedly in March 2011.

Little Enya passed away tonight - actually we put her down at the end.

We thought she was getting better up here in Pagosa Springs after the loss of her mother --she was gaining weight and playing more.  And all was fine when we went in for our afternoon break at 2:00 p.m.  However, at 5:00 p.m., we came out to water the gardens.  I said to John - look Enya is laying down in the pasture, that is good to see.  Because she never lays down; she is always eating.

So, when I saw her get up, I started running because I knew something was terribly wrong - she looked very sick.  She walked following the mares, but laid down again as soon as she could.   I ran down the aisle and grabbed a halter.  She came toward me when she saw me coming.  Around her eyes were scrape marks - the signs of thrashing.  I tried to get her up the aisle and into the barn, pulling her and making her walk, but about 3/4 up the aisle she collapsed and would not get up.  Lucky for me, John was outside and I had him bring Banamine and run to the house to call Dwight, our vet and very good friend here.   I could hear them talking about what to do, so I yelled "TELL HIM TO COME!"

She was laying on my legs, but I could keep her from rolling and after about 30 minutes, you could tell that the drug had kicked in.  John and I got her up and into the barn.  She looked like maybe she would make it.  She called strongly to the herd that was still out in the field and was happy to see them come in.  But I knew she had rolled and there was no poop still while we waited for Dwight.

He gave her more drugs when he got there and stitched in a catheter for fluids.  We started hitching up the trailer for the hospital.  It was obvious that was the only choice.  She was a trooper on the trailer.  Even looked alert again (even with all the meds).   I rode with her in the back and John and I had our walkie talkies so we could talk.   But, in the trailer, I talked only to Enya.  I told her how much I loved her and I told her stories of what her life would be like as a beautiful mare when she grew up.  I started telling her that I would give her years from my life, strength from me if she would hold on until we got to surgery.   She did so well in the trailer, balancing herself and the adult horse blanket draped over her making a cute picture.

I felt the drool on my hair as I sat there on the bucket near her.   I started changing my bets.  Isn't this when you make the deals with the devil?  I offered her my life for hers - would 10 years be enough?  I would trade them for you Enya.  HANG ON!

But in the center of Pagosa Springs, she wanted to lay down and I could see in her eyes that she was dying.  At that moment the trailer stopped and the door opened and it was Dwight giving me a flashlight - why he stopped or even thought about that I would need a light to give her more pain meds, I will never know.   But here we all were, stopped on the side of the road.   and he said that she wasn't going to make it.  Her gums were pale and cold, her breathing labored.  Her eyes looked dead.  I told him to go get the injection.

Enya and Audrey Everson - 2 princesses

John is torn up, but I am finding it hard to let go.  He wanted to leave her at Dwight's clinic and we drove there, but I couldn't do it.  I had to bring her home to say goodbyes and have her in a place that she knew.  So we will have to or someone will have to come get her tomorrow. But it's better that she is back home tonight to be with her herd.  Perhaps I will sleep better.

I wish so much that she had lived. 

But in the end, it was not to be.   She was never the same after Chanel died.   I thought at the time it was good that she was older when she was orphaned, but I think now that it was harder on her and that perhaps younger foals adapt better.   To have known love and security, milk and contentment and then to be alone and fending for yourself.    She was a gentle soul.  Someone like DaVinci of Fidalgo would have fought harder.   I wish I could have fought for her.

I don't know yet what this means to me.  I am trying not to make decisions tonight, but I think perhaps Chanel and now Enya, set off a chain of events where at least you sit down and reconsider what it is you are doing and what you want to be doing with your life and why life is worth living.  

I was never blessed with children, but I have been a mother.  The pain is unbearable.

Check out CowGirl Magazine!

Cowgirl Magazine has featured the Mangalarga Marchador as its first exotic horse breed.  A small write-up, great photos and a few ads are in this Western art and fashion magazine that also loves horses!

The Marcha gait - more from the Clinic

My notes from the clinic:

Ø  Perfect the 4 beat extended walk.  (How many times are we told to practice a good walk in other disciplines?)  It is ESSENTIAL for a good marcha as it is the take-off point and retreat point always.

Ø  Practice in straight lines before teaching in circles, lateral work or ANY other discipline.  Teach the horse to elongate his back, his stride, relax and stretch without speeding up.

Ø  Always start on the good side for the stretches, but do both sides.  Stretching from the good side will help the bad side to stretch easier.

Ø  To move into gait:  From the walk, apply more leg pressure and ask the horse to speed up without losing the smooth rhythm that was there in his walk.  Collect the reins (have contact) with the horse’s mouth to ask him to collect his body in a good frame.

Ø  Do NOT let your horse continue to gait if it is gaiting badly.  Go back to the walk and start again.  Ask for MORE SPEED from his legs while maintaining the collection.   You are trying to build MUSCLE MEMORY.  (This works really well!  I tried it on my horses after the clinic)

Ø  A marcha picada horse that paces is often still very smooth (I was surprised by this).  You can tell because your hips will go side to side instead of forward and back.  Try to put your leg on for more leg speed, but if that doesn’t work, return to the walk and start over.

Ø  In marcha picada, you can help the horse learn the right rhythm by adding weight to the front feet (could be shoes) or the opposite in marcha batida.

Ø  As you can see from the diagram on May 1's post, some horses will need help because of poorer conformation or breeding, but some horses need correction because someone interfered with their natural gait during training.  The Marchador is a willing partner.  If you ask it to change its natural footfall, it will learn to do what you want.

Ø  You can use dressage to supple the horse and build muscle, but not too soon (remember straight lines).  Once you can do the circles, you can move to a higher-level figure.  The Marchador can do lateral work and the higher moves IN GAIT!  (Another surprise for me!)

Good breeding ensures a great gait naturally.  This
is Fidalgo do Summerwind, marcha de centro.

Dressage will help to supple the horse, stretch and build the
muscles so it also helps get a smoother and better gait.

About the MARCHA gait - more from the clinic

Elba Cruzalta (Bella) gaiting at liberty

The Mangalarga Marchador is named for its comfortable and showy way of moving, the MARCHA.  In all the marchas, there are moments of triple hoof support, which is why it feels so smooth to the rider.

During the Brazilian inspection at age 3, gait is one of the most important dimensions of the test. Horse will be disqualified from permanent breeding registration if they are too lateral (show a pace) or too diagonal (show a trot). Gait counts for 100 points of the 200-point test.

In simple terms, when the greater proportion of time spent with the diagonal legs providing support, the marcha is BATIDA (ba chee da) When the greater proportion of time spent with the lateral legs providing support, the marcha is PICADA (pi ca dah).  A few animals have equivalent time spent between diagonal and lateral supports. They are considered to be in the center, sometimes called marcha de CENTRO.  

To visualize the spectrum, here is a diagram:

Pace--------picada-----centro-----batida --------Trot

(true lateral)                                                     (true diagonal)

Within the gaits, there is a grading system for how comfortable the gait is.  L1 to L4 for picada; D1 to D4 for batida.  On the diagram, it would look like this:

Pace --–L4-L3-L2-L1-—C—D1-D2-D3-D4----Trot

(true lateral)                                                         (true diagonal)

The clinic’s objective was to teach us all how to set the gait correctly (for an untrained horse) and also how to improve the gait.  With training, the horse can move 2 steps like from D4 to D2 or L3 to L1.

Artemis do Summerwind showing triple leg support
and the C shape of the front leg

Many Marchadors can gait as fast as other horses canter.  The front legs have a natural lift, forming a C during the step. The Marchador, being naturally balanced, is very sure-footed, using all 4 legs for propulsion. 

When the horses are bred close to the center, they may have the ability to perform both gaits –  picada and batida. The naturalness of the gait is such that newborn foals will gait rather than walk or run.

SW Newsletter

Check out our Newsletter for even more pictures and news that don't make it to the blog!

April SW News

Artemis do Summerwind and dad, Seamus da Boa Fe

We're back in Colorado!

We came back a little early - it turned cold and actually snowed!  Beautiful, but not what we or the horses are used to!  Coming from AZ, they were already slick.

The horses stayed in that day

View from our porch - mountains, what mountains?

 It's not like I don't know snow.  I grew up in New England, and yes, I had horses back there as well.  So, I know what it's like to care for animals with bad weather.  The temperatures are one thing, but the second thing that happens after the snow, is the MUD.

So, it's all about keeping the horses happy.  We have 2 dry lots and 2 small paddocks that we gave up to be trashed and we'll reseed in May.

There are the Rockies in the distance!

And to think, we thought perhaps we would be seeing hummingbirds soon!

Koyote Libertas enjoying the snow the day after

Where are we?   We live in beautiful Pagosa Springs, Colorado.  You may know the name of the town because it's where Pat Parelli's Natural Horsemanship have their summer college and campus.  It's near Durango, Colorado (1 hour west) and Santa Fe NM (3 hours south).  The weather here is usually close to perfect with warm days and cool nights.   The temperatures don't need to be that high because the sun is so strong in this altitude.   We just love it.

If you would like to come and meet a Mangalarga Marchador, we enjoy visitors!

Success! First Importation of MM Frozen Semen Arrives!

Summerwind SW FUTURE FOAL PRESS RELEASE

Oma de Maripa, one of the frozen semen donors

The first shipment of Mangalarga Marchador frozen semen from Brazil arrived in the US April 12, 2011!   The achievement is the result of a 4 year effort by Lynn and John Kelley, Summerwind Marchadors.   It also took the dedication and drive of Mr. Marcelo Baptista de Oliveira of Haras Maripa in Brazil, to navigate the red tape, paperwork and offer 3 of his stallions to be the first to ship to make history.

John and Lynn Kelley meeting the FEDEX truck at
Scottsdale Equine Reproductive Center.

While shipping frozen semen is commonplace these days, in Brazil, the Ministry of Agriculture regulates exportation by horse breed.  Up until recently, they did not allow collection and freezing of semen from Marchador stallions.  The ABCCMM worked with the Ministry of Agriculture and changed their registry rules as well.

Ximoio de Maripa, a semen donor.  Pure Abaiba bloodline.

Summerwind believes that importing frozen semen and embryos provides access to the better horses and proven producers in Brazil.  The Managalarga Marchador is the National Horse of Brazil.  It numbers over 350,000 there.

Haras Maripa breeds Mangalarga Marchador horses as performance and sport horses and have for over 30 years.   Their breeding program combines Abaiba blood mainly, with Bela Cruz and Herdade.   Haras Maripa genetically produces horses which are comfortable to ride, have a rhythmic, smooth movement - a sporting horse, which is sound, robust, has a good conformation, is extremely beautiful, with a good temperament and sweet.  One of their breeding products is in the US, Azenha de Maripa, imported by Summerwind in 2004.   Go see more of their horses!  http://harasmaripa.com.br/

Tiziu de Maripa (3rd semen donor) with owner and breeder,
Mr. Marcelo Baptista at Agro Maripa, SP, Brasil.

In 2003, Zane Davis, MT, wrote about Haras Maripa in his article for Western Horsemen  magazine.  In 2004, Maripa horses were used to ride the historic GOLD TRAIL in Brazil, a journey of about 9,000 miles from Sao Paulo to Golas City.    Now today’s Anhanguera Highway, 300 years ago, it was the main road where all of the wealth of the time traveled (gold, diamonds, slaves, livestock, salt, iron, etc.)        

“The importation of frozen semen and embryos from Brazil is critical to the improvement, diversity and numbers in the Mangalarga Marchador breed in North America.   With only 200 individuals here, you quickly run the risk of in-breeding or breeding horses of lower quality.  We owe Mr. Marcelo a lot.  We don’t know how to repay him for his effort.  This is a dream come true for us.”

Oma de Maripa, (also the top photo) is one of 2 stallions whose semen was frozen and exported.  The son of 2 ELITE book champion horses, himself a champion and a great producer.

The Mangalarga Marchador is one of the most outstanding breeds in the world.  Summerwind is dedicated to promoting and establishing the breed here.  

Summerwind would like to build a frozen sperm bank of champion horses and diverse bloodlines for any Marchador breeder to use.  "Perhaps in this first generation, it is not necessary, but in the next generation and beyond it will be.  That's the advantage of  frozen semen, it will be there forever."    In 2011, John and Lynn will travel to Brazil again to see more stallions and import again.   They will breed some of their mares to Maripa stallions this winter in Scottsdale AZ with their breeding vet, Dr. Jerry Longworth, of Scottsdale Equine Reproductive Center. 

For more information about the Mangalarga Marchador breed, visit Summerwind Marchadors at http://www.summerwindmarchadors.com and http://www.futurefoal.com or the MM association website at http://usmarchador.com. www.namarchador.org

Laio de Maripa, a main herd stallion of Haras Maripa, now in his 20s.  He is the sire of Oma de Maripa (and Azenha de Maripa here in the US).

Quinteto do Pau d'Alho, another great producer at Haras Maripa. Quinteto is the sire of the second stallion who was collected and frozen for exportation to the US, Tiziu de Maripa.

Marchador Clinic in TX

Kate Bar on Andante de Miami

I went to the Mangalarga Marchador gait clinic hosted by Legacy Marchadors last weekend.  It was a fabulous blend of information and riding taught by gifted instructor, Kate Barcelos (Kate Bar).    Kate's credentials fill a page, but a few of them are: 

• She was the #2 dressage rider in all of South America
• She is a vet.
• She is the 1st woman inspector for the ABCCMM (Brasilian Marchador Association)
• She runs an educational program for the ABCCMM 
• She trains and consults with many of the top Marchador farms in Brasil

So, we were in great hands.  Kate was not comfortable speaking in English and none of us knew Portuguese, so USMMA member Aline Oliveira Greene translated the whole time for us and did an excellent job.  Horse TV was there filming and taking photos.  Hopefully, there will be a video to follow.

Brooke Litte, Majestic Marchadors on Flying Oaks Windsmoke
Windy is marcha picada and for sale from Flying Oaks Ranch.

I am going to write up notes from the class, but for now, you can enjoy some of the photos!

Karin Roberts on her Marchador, Aja Bajoni do Premier

Most of us didn't bring horses, so thanks to those who did!
Sue Parris Current on Andante and Connie Claire on Aja Bajoni

Kate riding Ritmo A.J. palomino Marchador stallion owned
by Haras Lucero, TN

Kate with Aline Greene.  Kate's hat is the international
symbol of the Mangalarga Marchador - the horseshoe M brand.

Fidalgo do Summerwind Baby Book (video)

A great marcha de centro - so fast!

Remember the beautiful baby books that kept the treasures and memories?  Well, we tried to re-create that feeling in this video of Fidalgo for his off-site future owners, Lynn and Becca Boone.   The video is on the long side, but if you like watching foals, then the time will go by quickly.

Fidalgo is a Mangalarga Marchador stud colt who may stay a stallion!  That's great for the breed here, because he is all attitude, style and class!  The perfect son of Brasilia do Summerwind and La Paz Jivago, we are perfectly pleased with the result!

Have fun!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQX8b65mvwY

Bella has her foal!

Imported Mangalarga Marchador mare Elba Cruzalta (Bella) gave birth late tonight to a wonderfully marked dun colt, her first. Bella has impeccable bloodlines, somewhat unique in the US. The sire is La Paz Jivago, a proven producer in many countries.

It's early, but he looks to have a wonderful gait already! This one is truly something special! 

The mare and foal are owned by Keith and Alice Mosing, Houston, TX. Congratulations on a beautiful boy!

Look at the striping on his legs!

Chanel de Miami - we will miss you

Chanel de Miami, pure Herdade blood, exquisite beauty and gait.

Lynn with Chanel

Chanel pregnant with her last foal Enya do Summerwind

In memory of our special Chanel: 1996-2011. She didn't have enough time on earth, but we were happy to have shared it with her. Pure Herdade bloodlines, super beautiful, sweet and smooth. We will miss you until we die.


Chanel was a FOUNDATION Mangalarga Marchador mare, probably with the best picada gait we have ever ridden. The daughter of a champion Calciolandia mare, Verbena owned by the Guerra family. Other Verbena offspring were Folha da Calciolandia, MT, Batuque de Miami, CA and Feitico de Miami, FL. All were wonderfully smooth gaited horses.


Chanel passed on her beauty and smooth gait to all her foals. Two remain with us now: John's riding horse, Artemis do Summerwind and Enya do Summerwind, her orphan foal who we will keep. Caesar do Summerwind is in CA with Marli Wood and Destiny do Summerwind is in TX with Gayle Hamilton.

It is a great loss to us and also for the US Marchadors to lose such a good breeding mare. Her 2 daughters will carry on the Herdade genes.

New Video on the Mangalarga Marchador

Mangalarga Marchador - the horse from Brazil! A great view of great horses and beautiful countryside vistas!

Summerwind Newsletter

For more great photos and news about Marchadors from around the country, download our SW Newsletter!  In this issue:

• Visit to Brazil - excerpts from an article by TWH expert Eldon Eadie
• Lynn's corner
• News from Family and Friends
• SW News

http://www.summerwindmarchadors.com/qlNews_detail.aspx?CI=5068

Video of Bella

Bella is a beautiful Mangalarga Marchador mare that we have had the pleasure of knowing and loving. Wonderfully smooth, incredibly intelligent and willing to connect on many levels, she has overcome many physical ailments while in our care. She is expecting her first foal in March 2011 and then will return to her owners in Texas. It will be a happy reunion for them, but a sad day for us when we leave her behind.

For more information on this fabulous breed, please contact us: Summerwind Marchadors http://www.summerwindmarchadors.com or http://www.futurefoal.com

The Importer Series - Summerwind

The IMPORTERS is a series of articles about the history of the Marchador breed coming to the U.S. and the breeders who brought them in.  This is the third installment of the series — Summerwind Marchadors.  The bloodlines highlighted in this article are Favacho and J.B.

Go to our website to read the full article by downloading the pdf file.

http://www.summerwindmarchadors.com/qlNews_detail.aspx?CI=5046

Fidalgo do Summerwind - born 1/11/11!

Brasilia do Summerwind's first foal and he did not disappoint!  Unbelievably confident and not afraid of anything new, he is just like his mom and dad.  Great looks and gait, Fidalgo was reserved before birth by Lynn Boone-Mayberry and her daughter Becca.

His birthday is a sign - he will be a great horse, maturing around 15 hands, probably mahogany bay and a fabulous, flashy marcha batida.