On the trail, Lynn Kelley on Esthique do Premier, Aline Greene's MM mare
The Sela de Ouro is Portuguese for “Saddle of Gold”, the WAY OF THE MARCHADOR. It is a multi-day event that the Brasilians use to test the Marchador horses and the Marchador riders.
In Brasil, throughout the year are qualifying rides for the final Sela de Ouro held at the time of the Mangalarga Marchador National Show in July. The European association has hosted a Sela de Ouro in Germany since 2009. Now in 2012, the USMMA and ABCCMM are helped Connie Claire host the first ever in the U.S. at the MM Clinic in Ocala, FL.
Riders from the US and Europe that finish the Sela de Ouro in their country can qualify to ride in the final Sela de Ouro in Brasil!
During the ride, the horses and riders are evaluated on the trail, on a track and in an obstacle course over several days.
Marchadors are evaluated on their marcha in these aspects:
Gesture
Comfort
Style
Length of stride
Regularity
In addition, a vet check tests them for endurance fitness and integrity.
The riders are evaluated on riding skills and also on the functional test.
Seat and leg contact
Center posture and balance
Use of the aids
Control and security
Naturalness
Functional test (like an obstacle course – see the video below)
Each competitor has to demonstrate minimal skills of a good rider and good knowledge of his horse on the trail. The tests and judging are conducted in environments and situations that simulate the roads, sports and travels of ancient knights in speed and distance variables. The trail has natural hazards in varied terrains of forests, rivers, valleys and mountains.
The circle of life is hardest to accept when it’s time for your dearest friend to pass on. Today, our beloved dog Mac died at age 13. People will say Lynn and I were lucky to have him with us for so many years, but there is never enough time.
Mac joined our world on St Patricks Day when Lynn surprised me with a border collie puppy. It was particularly sweet, since I had had only one other dog in my early years who also was a border collie called Spike. I lost that dog on the day my father died on my seventh birthday. Looking back I realized that Spike was more my father’s dog then mine, since he stood over my father and shortly there after disappeared. Getting Mac from Lynn was almost like finding Spike and closing a painful chapter in my early life – the circle of life.
Mac was unusually large for a border collie but a gentle intelligent soul that touched everyone that he met. He could outrun a Frisbee, run for hours, and herd anything. He was very protective of his younger brother Jamie. Once when coyotes lured Jamie into the brush at our ranch, Mac charged the pack and brought Jamie back safely.
Jamie and Mac on a hike up Troon Mountain in AZ.
On another occasion, we were at the car wash waiting for our car when a young mother with a baby in a carriage approached and asked if it was safe to pet the dogs. The baby pulled on Mac’s ears, poked him in the eyes, and laughed loudly. Mac sat quietly. A few minutes later a young man with a manly dog came by and the dog lunged at the baby, teeth showing. Mac raced over, placed his jaws over the face of the dog and drove him to the ground. I was fearful Mac might harm him but he just stood between the baby and the dog in that sideways look so common for border collies.
Mac was very smart. I often said he was smarter than most of the people I have met during my life. Back in New England one of his jobs was to get the morning paper. If there wasn’t one on our driveway, he would search the neighborhood until he found one. We always let him out through the garage and he came back in the side door. One winter morning I was out with him and told him it was time to go in the front door. He turned and looked at me oddly but trotted over to our actual front door which we never used. I looked at him and realized I had said the front door not the side door. When I corrected myself, he calmly trotted to the side door waiting for me to let him in.
The family photo
Mac could talk. He just used a different language. I don’t mean that he barked but rather he would make an endless variety of sounds that over time Lynn could understand. He would wake you in the morning, talk to you about how hungry he was, and constantly describe what he saw on his morning walk. It was my problem that I didn’t always understand.
As we grew older together, we became more and more alike. Protective of our routine and less tolerant of others, we enjoyed our time together.
I will miss Mac forever but will be forever grateful for how he explained the circle of life to me. I think I will be better prepared as life and death move on.
I love riding with my friends and with John! John signed up for the ride, but his main horse, Artemis do Summerwind was lame just days before the ride was scheduled. (Later, we found out it was an abcess)
So, it was up to us, the three amigas! Both Kristy and Adrienne had done this before, so I felt confident that the rookies, me and my MM horse. Caboclo, could do well with their helpful hints. It was on St. Patrick’s Day, so Kristy brought decorations, Adrienne brought paint and I wore green. There was a prize for the most green and NONE of us even came close! I wish I had a photo of the winner!
I’m official! Caboclo looks thrilled. Ready to ride!
Talking strategy – trying to figure out the obstacle instructions!
Checking into the competition. It’s judged, but not timed.
The three amigas! Caboclo’s ears are focused on the next test.
McDowell Mountain Park was where we rode
Kristy, always looking good, especially on a horse!
Adrienne out of the serpentine poles and into the backup box!
On the homestretch! Only 1 obstacle left!
Can you tell we had a great time? These ACTHA rides are held everywhere around the country. You can earn points and even prizes for you and your horse if you do well. Each obstacle on the trail is judged and the time is not important.
Most of the obstacles can be practiced beforehand, but that isn’t always the same as doing them on the trail! Some horses react to the plastic cones that mark the obstacles or sometimes the materials the obstacles are made of. The horses go through each obstacle individually, so patience is a virtue and some horses don’t like to wait. Nor do they like to be left behind, which is what it feels like for the horse going last.
It’s a pretty good way to meet people in your area too, if you are looking for people to ride with! So, if you haven’t tried it yet, go visit their website. http://www.actha.us
A year ago this month, we said goodbye to a favorite Marchador, Chanel de Miami. Her death was untimely, quick and without warning. She was a truly great mare.
A daughter of imported Foundation Marchadors, her lineage and history is told in the MM series, the Importers – MM Horse Farms. The Importers MM Horse Farms
Had she lived, she would have left quite a legacy in her offspring. Tragically, her sons she are gelded so only one daughter may continue her line. Destiny do Summerwind is owned by Gayle Hamilton in Texas. Gayle just won the USMMA Valentine’s story contest by writing about her MM valentine!
