Category Archives: Events

SW Update – What is a MM Sela de Ouro???

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.

It was so much fun!  Brasil, anyone?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SW Update – St. Patrick’s Day – ACTHA Ride

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!


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

 

SW Update – More Good Stuff – February 2012

Want to meet a Marchador and Summerwind?  Here are the events where you can!  Will we see you there?

Events

  • March 17 ACTHA ride, McDowell Mountain Park, Fountain Hills, AZ
  • April 20-22 MM Clinic, Florida Horse Park, Ocala FL
  • June 30 to July 3 MM Sela de Ouro and CHIO horse show, Aachen, Germany

Contact us if you need more information on any of these events sent to you.

 

Photos

  • SW Future Foal horse photos and Katie and Megan’s visit in February.  Click on this link below:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150630775538330.414540.169822783329&type=3

We are dressing up in Irish Green for the ACTHA ride!  Be sure to watch for those pictures in March!

Green for the horses for the ACTHA ride

 

Videos

More videos of pure Mangalarga Marchadors from Agro Maripa were posted in February.   Experience the Maripa bloodline with your eyes!