A “vision” came to life for trainer Daniel Pullium at the recent 21st Jingle Bell Show, produced by the Southern California Horsemans Council in Del Mar, CA on Dec 9-12, 2021! That vision was to present the largest group of Mangalarga Marchador horses together in a professional breed competition since the breed was first imported to the U.S. from Brazil in 1993 to Miami FL. For the past three decades, breeders and owners of these beautiful Brazilian gaited horses have been spread across the country with less than 500 purebred horses in America. (There are over 500,000 registered Mangalarga Marchador horses in Brazil, making it their National Horse.)
Daniel was newly introduced to this Iberian breed in March 2021 by West Coast founding breeder and importer Rancho Linda Marchadores. Since then, he has gained special recognition for his show vision, his ability to unify enough Marchador owners to participate in a very complex event and the way he executed the very professional breed barn presentation for everyone’s benefit. He worked with the SCHC show owners to add a number of extra OGB (other gaited breeds) classes in order to show the Mangalarga Marchador breed as much as possible. As he states, “the goal was to present Marchadors in a ‘Big Way’ so that no one could miss them!”
The event was a huge success in many ways! It brought breeders and owners together to get more acquainted and showcased the breed to the public. Having the MM breed participate in specific Marchador breed classes and as well as participating in OGB (Other Gaited Breed) classes made a significant impact for generating breed awareness. The show attendees watching the classes were truly intrigued and many came by the barn to see the horses. Show judge Tamme Conatser, from Nicholasville, KY expressed her warm welcome to the breed entries and the Mangalarga Marchadors were thanked as a class sponsor.
The Del Mar Fairgrounds was full of beautiful horses with each barn being decorated with the Holiday theme including those simultaneously competing in the English Jumper Show. The largest number ever of Mangalarga Marchador horses joined a variety of breeds which were represented in their respective classes; American Saddlebreds, Morgans, Friesians, Andalusians, Hackney Ponies, Trotters, and participated in Other Gaited Breeds classes that included an Icelandic Pony. All of the 18 Marchadors were amazing in classes held under the huge covered arena in a ring with giant Christmas décor, lights, noise, despite having little to no previous show experience! All were winners by participating! Between all of the wonderful attributes of this breed and skilled riders and handlers, each class was a success!
Over the four days, Marchadors were in a total of 21 classes which included two OGB Parade classes and the OGB Champagne class, which provided the perfect opportunity to showcase their unique gaits. The breed is known for having three natural gaits with either a natural diagonal gait (called Batida) or a lateral four beat gait (called Picada), with both gaits having a brief moment of triple hoof support although in a different sequence in lieu of a trot. Marchadors have a natural rhythmic walk, breed gait, smooth canter and can gallop.
Breeders present at the show were Rancho Linda Marchadores (CA), Rancho De Los Cielos (CA), High Country Marchadors (CO), Silver Stables Marchadors (AZ), Saint Horse Marchadores (SC) and C&C Bellandi Mangalarga Marchador (FL).
All of the Marchador owners were happy to have Claudia Bellandi ride her imported champion stallion Delmug Dos Bugres as a celebrity representative from Brazil and have him place first in 13 of the 14 classes. A true eye-catching highlight was the Parade Championship class that “wowed” the audience when “Santa Claus” (Claudia) arrived on her Marchador in full costume from head to tail!
Building on this momentum, the next big show in the SCHC circuit will be the Santa Barbara National Show in early July 2022. Plans are underway for Marchadors to be represented by Rancho De Los Cielos, Rancho Linda Marchadores, High Country Marchadors along with C&C Bellandi who will ship 3 stallions and hopes to sponsor an ABCCMM judge from Brazil to judge the Marchador breed classes. All MM owners are enthusiastically encouraged to participate in this show, particularly from California, Arizona and Montana. Please contact Daniel Pulliam dpulliam86@gmail.com or call 575.613.5148 for more show and breed information.
By Linda Holst