U.S. Mangalarga Marchador Association (USMMA)

Tag: APEX

  • President’s letter – Clinic and Las Vegas Events

     

    Dear USMMA Members,

    We are fast approaching the fall season,  it is a welcomed time to enjoy the cooler weather and autumn colors.  The horses are starting to hair out as if they needed extra warmth in addition to the summer weight gain, but who am I to say anything.  I think I have also readied myself for winter.  

    I hope most of you were able to get in the saddle this summer to enjoy life and your wonderful horses.  There was a lot of difficult weather to contend with this summer, which probably canceled many horse riding plans, so maybe we can catch up with our equine events this fall.  There are many different equine events available throughout North America this fall.  As Mangalarga Marchador owners, I am asking all members that can take the time,to be visible and participate in these events whatever they may be.  First off, have fun and enjoy your horses, while educating and introducing our unique breed to others that are not familiar with the breed.

    More than likely, you have seen or heard about the Brazilian Saddle Horse Promotion supported by Apex (which is part of the Brazilian government that supports Brazilian products and  Brazilian businesses outside Brazil) and ABCCMM (the National Registry for Mangalarga Marchadors).  This project started last year when Apex and ABCCMM invited a Horse Illustrated journalist to visit Brazil and several Mangalarga Marchador farms.  The journalist had never traveled in South America and was not familiar with the horses.  The journalist’s article from her two week trip was published in Horse Illustrated May 2014 issue.  if you have not read this article let me know and I will send you a copy. 

    The next Brazilian Saddle Horse promotion segment was last week’s Jack Daniels PBR event in Nashville, TN.  Three  Mangalarga Marchadors  were presented outside the Bridgestone Arena on Friday afternoon, September 05.  Then later, two Marchadors inside the PBR arena that evening.   Saturday evening another two Mangalarga Marchadors were presented again inside the PBR arena.  The horses were “Erva-Doce de Tesouro” mare owned by Aline Greene “Saint Horse Marchadores”,  “Irana das Aguas JM” mare, and “Imperador das Aguas JM” owned by Claudia Ney Bellandi.   

    USMMA members, Bill and Ann Kambic, Jeff Bosley, Jim Funderburk & family, Karin and Tom Roberts, James Harvey, Hans Christensen, Aline Greene, and myself were there to assist Ricardo Xavier with passing out packets loaded with Horse Illustrated May issue, Mangalarga Marchador DVD’s, and pamphlets to interested persons.   We did not keep count, but it was very busy both days before the events, along with many interested people wanting to know more about the Mangalarga Marchador’s.

    The next scheduled event for the Brazilian Saddle Horse Promotion will be at the PBR National Finals in Las Vegas from October 22-26.  PBR are furnishing a large arena on the Las Vegas strip across from the Luxor hotel.  That will be available to present a larger number of horses during the day prior to the PBR half-time events at the Thomas & Mack Center.  The schedule of activities for these horses in the outdoor arena is under review.

    So let me get down to the main reason for this letter, besides trying to keep all members informed about USMMA & Mangalarga Marchador activities.  Our scheduled 2014 USMMA Clinic is to be held at the Horse Park, Las Vegas from October 20-22, the time is drawing near and I would like to encourage you as a USMMA member to participate if possible.  

    This will be a one time event that coincides with the Brazilian Saddle Horse Promotion overlapping one day with the PBR event.  Naturally all members will be welcome to assist at the outside arena featuring the Mangalarga Marchador Horses during the day.  

    I understand all the above may be a little over whelming, however Apex & ABCCMM have outlaid a large sum of money this year to make it happen. If we help them to make this year a success,  there is a good possibility  something similar will take place again next year.  It is a huge opportunity for all of us as Mangalarga Marchador owners to take advantage from this promotion.  It is not necessary monetary terms I am speaking about, but if you love this breed like most of us, what better chance is there to let other equine enthuses experience the Mangalarga Marchador breed also.

    Please feel free to email or call with questions or comments. Your input is much appreciated. 

    Showcasing the Mangalarga Marchador to the nation. Hoping to see you in Las Vegas. 

    Rick Schatz USMMA President

    Flying Oaks Ranch

    Home- 1-580-269-2967

    Cell-   1-580-761-5927

     

  • President’s Letter – Exciting Events in September and October!

    Dear USMMA Members.

     

    It has been an exciting time being on the front line as the USMMA representative, to the ABCCMM and APEX in their endeavors’ to increase the Mangalarga Marchador herd size in North America.

    Our small USMMA member group that attended this years 33rd Mangalarga Marchador  Nacional Expo 2014, was greeted by open arms by all in Brazil.  Magdi Shaat, President ABCCMM, was a gracious host taking time out from his busy Expo schedule to greet and recognize each and everyone of us.  He was not alone in his hospitality.  The other ABCCMM members, Fabio Vilela, Ricardo Xavier, Jose Leandro, Alexandre Junqueira, were there from day one to make our trip unforgettable.  The Brazilian hospitality continued in each and every person we met at the Expo.  The same at every farm we visited. Everyone was very gracious and kind to us, being very unselfish in letting members ride their prized horses, showing their pride towards the Mangalarga Marchador breed and their ancestry.

     APEX and ABCCMM has made a large investment with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) in North America and also in Brazil to promote the Mangalarga Marchador as the Brazil Saddle Horse.  The PBR will feature the Mangalarga Marchador at two events this year.  First one at Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 5-6 and the 2nd at the PBR finals in Las Vegas, NV. Oct. 22-26.  The program in Nashville will include a introduction during the Sept. 5 event with a Brazilian rider and one Mangalarga Marchador horse as the MC describes the Brazil Saddle Horse qualities.  Sept. 6 event we will have a demo arena at the Bridgestone arena containing two horses that are available to interested attendees to ride or just become familiar with the Mangalarga Marchador temperament.  The Sept. 6 event will also include a mid-matinee performance as the previous day. For the members that have volunteered their horses for either or both events, the horses have been identified to the members in Brazil for their choice of selection  and none have been officially selected at this time.  There are two Brazilian trainers to arrive Aug. 28 to Aline Greene’s farm, to start their horse evaluation for the Nashville event.  I will keep all members that have submitted their horses for Nashville informed as the trainers progress in their selection.

    On the same note, I would like to further extend an invitation to all members that might be interested in assisting at the events to help at the demo arena relaying to other interested persons why we love these horses.  APEX has given us a limited amount of tickets to the PBR events and these will be given out to the selected horses owners and remainder (first come first served) to members assisting with the demo booth.  I already have a few volunteers for the events but it would be nice to have a good showing from the USMMA members in support to APEX and ABCCMM Brazil Saddle Horse Promotion.

    More information will come later for the Las Vegas event including horse selection and logistics for the event.

    I have attached a video link to the 33rdExpo Nacional that has been aired on Brazil T That acknowledged the USMMA members from North America attending the event.

      

    Best Regards,

    Rick Schatz

    USMMA President

    Flying Oaks Ranch

    www.flyingoaksranch.com

    Home- 1-580-269-2967

    Cell-   1-580-761-5927