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.