Category Archives: SW Future Foals

SW Update – Future Foal @ Lumber Bridge

Elba Cruzalta (Bella) with her foal, Tigre do Summerwind

SW Future foal expands east to North Carolina!  WIth the addition of Elba Cruzalta, Jeff and Michelle Bosley now own 2 foundation MM broodmares.   Between the two mares,  they cover the spectrum of the Marchador breed characteristics.   Reserving a SW Future Foal from one of these mares could be the horse of your dreams — and now,  closer than ever if you live on the east coast.

Jeff and Michelle and their 2 children, Luke and Rachel keep their horses at home with them and are ideally located in North Carolina’s horse country with access to miles of trails.

 

 

 

Bacara do Summerwind with Michelle in Lumber Bridge, NC

About the mares:

Elba Cruzalta – imported grey Mangalarga Marchador mare with impeccable Abaiba/Bela Cruz bloodlines.  Nicknamed Bella, she is a marcha picada mare with a champagne gait – so smooth, you won’t spill a drop.  She passes along her beautiful eyes, look and smooth gait to her foals.   She is 14.3, but because her conformation is so perfect, she looks much larger, like a Lusitano mare.   Double registered with the USMMA and with the ABCCMM, her foals are also eligible for dual registration.

Bacara do Summerwind – Bred by Summerwind here in the U.S., Bacara is a mix of Herdade and J.B. bloodlines.  Both Herdade and J.B. are known for their marching gait in Brasil.  Unlike many other MM bloodlines, bay and black are prevalent.   A classic marcha batida gait, Bacara is so athletic and powerful, she is a candidate for almost any riding discipline.   Yet unbred, we hope that Bacara will pass along her great Iberian hair, her confident personality and athleticism to her foals.

Meet Jeff and Michelle:

Jeff Bosley in AZ riding Koyote Libertas, a MM gelding

Jeff Bosley – I have spent 20 years in the USAF; 7 years enlisted and 13 years as a commissioned Officer (Major).  I have a BAS and Masters in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS).

I grew up on a farm and remember how as a child I was given the opportunity to take care of problem horses for several months at a time on two separate occasions. Most of what I have learned came through research and a love of horses. More recently, I have been fortunate to have been mentored by John and Lynn Kelley and still have much to learn.

I am first and foremost passionate about the Mangalarga Marchador.  When I first came across the breed 10 years ago I was just looking for a good endurance horse. After becoming involved with the MM first through research and later after owning my first mare,  I have become a huge fan of their unique blend of characteristics.  I have realized you don’t have to sacrifice a gentle disposition or a willing temperament for spirit, energy, and athleticism. I knew my goal was to become a breeder by the time I retired from the USAF.  I enjoy working with them because of their willing spirit, intelligence, and gentle disposition.

My goal is to be an ambassador of the Marchador breed. I hope to accomplish this by first promoting them in every venue possible, either personally  as a facilitator or secondly, through a strategic responsible breeding program.

Michelle (left) riding Bossa Nova de Miami, Bacara's dam. Lynn on Koyote and Jeff on Artemis in AZ.

Michelle Bosley – Jeff and I bought our first Mangalarga Marchador in 2007.  Bacara do Summerwind was only eighteen months when she came with us to Lumber Bridge, NC.  At that time, I really didn’t know that much about Mangalarga Marchadors.  My Mom owned and bred Peruvian Paso’s while I attended college, and I would ride them when I went home to visit.  So, the Marchador was new to me.

After marrying Jeff and seeing his passion for horses, I began to enjoy them more also.  I’ve always loved being around horses, but never really worked with them much before I met Jeff.  Now that we have had Bacara for four years, I have been able to see what a difference a horse can make in one’s life.  My horsemanship has improved dramatically based on the relationship I share with Bacara.  We recently purchased two more Marchadors and are excited that they will be here this April.

We are just beginning to breed the Mangalarga Marchador, and our dream is to continue bringing this great breed to the United States.

Tigre do Summerwind! He's moving too! He'll be Jeff's riding horse when he is old enough.

 

 

 


SW Update – Vigor for the MM Breed

by Lynn Kelley

We met the precious cargo at Scottsdale Equine Reproductive Center!

In 2011, we were unbelievably excited to receive the first shipment of frozen semen exported from Brasil.  Ho-hum, you say.  It happens all the time.  NOT!   We had worked for over four years to see this happen.  There were two main issues.

In Brasil, each breed is regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture.  For this to work, the ABCCMM had to modify its registration regulations, which had previously not allowed the use of frozen semen.  Then the Ministry of Agriculture had to create the rules for exportation for the MM and approve veterinarian clinics for collection and exportation.   To our knowledge, there are only 2 clinics in Brasil that have been approved so far.

 

Ximoio de Maripa semen arrived in 2011 from Agro Maripa! He is pure blood Abaiba of very old genetics.

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The second is that there is not much demand for frozen semen in Brasil.  With so many horses and land, often the preferred method of breeding is still live cover.  For us to get Brasilian Marchador semen, the breeder needed to want to do this for us — for the good of the Marchador breed around the world.

Enter Mr. Marcelo Baptista, owner of Agro Maripa who fulfilled our dream.   Agro Maripa collected and shipped 3 Maripa stallions of excellent quality and impeccable lineage to us in March 2011.

 

Frozen semen (and later frozen embryos) is very important for the future of the Marchador breed here in the U.S.  Imported frozen semen adds many things:

  • Talisma Kafe, from Haras Elfar, is a stallion whose semen has been collected and we are working through the importation process for 2012

    Diversity — new bloodlines, new individuals to the North American gene pool.

  • Quality — these stallions are first-rate individuals, champions in their own right and proven producers.  Often not for sale, frozen semen offers a way to bring their blood here.
  • Excitement — it is exciting to be able to have a larger catalogue of beautiful Marchador stallions to choose from.

 

 

 

Connie Claire with La Paz Jivago foal DaVinci do Summerwind. DaVinci was the first MM foal born using frozen semen in the U.S. We are expecting a 2012 foal from Oma de Maripa using his frozen semen!

 

For us the diversity and quality were the key items.  The excitement is just an added bonus!  We could have an immediate boost in quality in one generation.  For diversity, one could argue that we are okay there for now.  Because we  are fortunate to have many breeding stallions here in the U.S., enough to breed the mares and cross-breed the resulting next generation.  But what about the third, fourth and fifth generation?

We may not be alive to see those MM foals born, but we are doing this for them.  Continued importation is the key for maintaining and improving the quality of the Mangalarga Marchador breed here.  We plan to import more semen, from different bloodlines and make it available  – a semen bank for eternity.

 

 

SW Update – Marchadors on RFD TV!

Rick and Diane did a SUPERB job of creating a great overview of the Marchador breed.

For anyone who wants to see a Mangalarga Marchador and know – its roots and heritage, the gaits, the breed, here is a great video to watch.

 

About 20 minutes of pure enjoyment! Sit back, kick your boots off and join them on location in BRASIL!

 

SW Update – Beethoven do Summerwind – 2011 SW Awards Winner

Beethoven winning Reserve Grand Champion

The SW Award Program recognizes your efforts to promote the awesome Marchador breed using a SW Marchador (bred, sold or imported).   Getting our Marchadors in the spotlight – out into national or local all-breed events is not only fun, it helps others to see the quality, versatility and performance of the breed.   Any horse purchased from Summerwind, their foals or the product of a breeding from or to a Summerwind horse is eligible.

We couldn’t be happier that this year’s big winner was Laurie Klassen and Beethoven do Summerwind.  Read their story below and you will agree!

Congratulations, Laurie and Beethoven!  (cheers and tears of joy!)

Laurie’s Story

Beethoven winning the 2011 Summerwind Awards,is a “rags to riches” story in my eyes.

Beethoven learning to relax and trust again in Laurie's care.

Beethoven arrived at my farm 20 months ago, starved and extremely aggressive.  He had endured some hardship since he left Summerwind. I knew there were problems when I bought him,but as I purchased him sight unseen the magnitude of what I faced left me floundering.  2.5 on the Henneke body condition scale and a horse fighting for his life.

My endurance plans went up in smoke, I dug deep and settled in for the long road of rehabilitation.

Laurie and Beethoven at the All Breed Gaited Show

 

 

Fast forward 1 year, it’s May 2011. Ready to rock and roll and show my world what a Marchador is.  At each event Beethoven gained confidence, each new experience pushed me to try the next one.  My goal was to find out what Beethoven loved and along the way we had amazing experiences and won a few awards.  Our season culminated with Beethoven winning reserve grand champion in versatility at Western Canada’s largest all breed gaited show.

I am still struggling with some of the remaining starvation issues, who knew there were such long lasting effects? But I have hope that with time and consistency his mind and body will heal.

I really hope Beethoven approves of where his award money will be spent, towards a saddle purchased just for him.

  • Iberian Breed Demo.  June 11
  • Dressage/jumping camp. June 27- July 1
  • Inner city kids and horses day. (EAL )  July 13
  • Competitive Trail Challenge.   June 25 and July 23
  • Gaited clinic  Aug 12-14
  • Heritage Days Parade.  Aug 20
  • All Breed Gaited Show Sept 2-4

Beethoven taking a young rider on a wonderful Fall ride.

The above contains the formal planned part of our riding season.  We also participated in many trail rides,horse camping, ground and water training. (I believe he will need the services of a phycologist to totally rise above his water phobia 🙂 )  And we logged many miles endurance training,( btw Beethoven has a strong opinion about endurance…boring! ) and lastly, started him on cattle before winter came.

I also marvel that in late fall I was able to trust Beethoven to carry two teenaged, inexperienced riders on lovely fall rides.  They were thrilled with how sensible he was and, of course, how smooth.

The end

Laurie Klassen, SK, Canada, Owner of Beethoven do Summerwind

More about Beethoven:

Beethoven riding for his ABCCMM inspection at SW

Beethoven do Summerwind is the product of 2 of our finest imported Marchador horses: Azenha de Maripa and La Paz Jivago.  He was always a favorite around the barn with a Dennis the Menace kind of mischievous look to his eyes.   He left us at age three as a dream horse purchase.   And so it appeared to be, as we heard stories and got pictures of Beethoven happily being ridden in camp, playing soccer and bareback.   So, we were shocked when the new owner called and said she wanted to sell him.

Laurie Klassen had seen Beethoven in Scottsdale as a 2 year old and so when he became available for sale,  she took the plunge and bought her Marchador.   We were prepared to buy him back as well.

Beethoven - he always made me laugh!As a passionate MM breeder and a horse lover, I was shaken to the core the night that Laurie got Beethoven.  Expecting to hear happy news, I heard instead the dire news.  “I have just rescued a horse”, Laurie said.  “He might have been dead by spring.”  The pictures she sent made everyone who knew him cry.  After the initial shock, anger, frustration and the terrible realization that this happens to horses every day.    I just never wanted it to happen to SW horses – that is why the offer to buy them back is in my contracts and we make other efforts to try to ensure that our MMs will stay safe.

Laurie, is and always will be a hero in my book for taking on the problems that no one knew about, educating herself on how to solve them and nurturing a very good horse back to health.  She gave him a second chance, a new life and a wonderful family.  I am forever grateful and in her debt.

We are working on making Beethoven’s story into a children’s book.

Lynn Kelley, SW Future Foal @ Summerwind Marchadors

 

 

SW Update – The Brazilian semen arrives!

Four years of effort – numerous trips to Brazil!

You may think in these days of AI and technology breeding, even cloning of animals, that this would have been easier.

However, in Brazil, each breed has its own rules, regulations and approvals required by the breed association and the Ministry of Agriculture.  For the Mangalarga Marchador, the Association did not allow breedings using frozen semen.   Their rules had to be changed.  Then the Ministry of Agriculture and the ABCCMM needed to work together to set up the guidelines for semen and embryo exportation.

Finally, the rules were changed in 2009.  In 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture approved a few equine reproduction centers as export centers for the Mangalarga Marchador.  When we met with breeders, the response for exportation was lukewarm.  They did not need to collect or freeze semen for their own use – it was an inconvenience.  The North American market was tiny, with only 200 horses, perhaps 80 breedable mares.   (The Brazilians do not believe in crossing out to other breeds – their passion is the Mangalarga Marchador!)

The Maripa Stallions

Then, over the internet, we meet Sophia and Marcelo Oliveira Baptista, from Agro Maripa.  We imported one of their mares, Azenha de Maripa in 2004.  Mr. Marcelo graciously agrees to be the PIONEER – to collect and ship frozen semen to us.

In 2010, the shipment is ready and sent to the U.S.  We were so excited, but that first effort fell short.  A paperwork error caused the USDA in Tennessee to deny entry to the U.S.  The semen tank had to be returned to Brazil.  With time clocks ticking, the liquid nitrogen charge did not last and the shipment was destroyed at the airport.

Miracles do happen!  Mr. Marcelo wanted to collect and ship again!  At 12 noon on April 12th, we met the FEDEX truck at Scottsdale Equine Reproductive Center!   And our new dream became reality!

John and Lynn Kelley meet the FedEx truck for the precious cargo!

Three stallions were exported in this historic package:   Oma de Maripa, Tiziu de Maripa and Ximoio de Maripa.  They are shown in our stallion pages.  Great representatives of the Mangalarga Marchador breed and reproducers in Brazil and now here in the U.S!