The Brazilian Saddle Horse, the Mangalarga Marchador, was featured and shown during the PBR Finals week in Las Vegas! Many of the top ten professional bull riders are Brazilian and the sport is so big there, there is a PBR, Brazil! Thanks to APEX, Brasil who also support the PBR, the Marchador event came to life in Vegas, baby! Special thanks to APEX/ABCCMM Coordinator Ricardo Xavier who always has a full plate at events around the world and with his own wedding coming up in November! Congratulations Ricardo!
The Marchador is Brazil’s National Horse and so it was shown with much pride at the PBR FAN ZONE during the day and in the half-time show at the Thomas and Mack arena at night. The USMMA and the ABCCMM supported the APEX Brasil in manning booths in both locations too!
Many, many fans were interested in the breed and signed up to learn more. We gave away several hundred packets of DVDs, brochures, business cards and magazines about the Marchador breed! Not only was their literature, but some of the fans were lucky enough to test drive a Marchador at the PBR Fan Zone.
The horses were the stars of the show and they came long distances to participate!
From Ocala FL, Bellandi Racing Stables owner Claudia Bellandi came and shipped her imported Marchadors to Las Vegas! Imperador das Aguas JM, a grey stallion and Irana das Aguas JM, a grey mare. From MT, 2 Marchador breeders shipped 4 horses to Las Vegas. Lori Silcher, 4 Seasons Marchadors came with 3 horses — her blue roan stallion, Baluarte Piry, imported from Brazil, 4 Seasons Ana Raio, a buckskin mare, and 4 Seasons Lealdade, a chestnut mare. Dr. Tresa Smith came and shipped her grey gelding Lo-Borges de Lazy T.
Owners, breeders and support came from the U.S. Canada and Brazil with both USMMA President Rick Schatz of Flying Oaks Ranch and ABCCMM President Magdi Shaat of Haras El Far there.
And of course, Future Foal was there in almost full force – with me, Lynn Kelley, NC breeder Jeff Bosley and AZ breeder Karen Livesay. I was lucky enough to do some of the commentary during the Fan Zone presentations. That was almost as much fun as riding!
Long days, tired feet, but a great event. We hope to be out there again!
If you are looking for a personal horse or an investment opportunity, now is the time to learn more about this magnificent breed that is just getting started here in North America.
Here is a video of the event from MMTV in Brazil who covered the event. Forward to minute 38!
