U.S. Mangalarga Marchador Association (USMMA)

Tag: Haras Vista da Serra

  • Cavalgada Tematica – Trout Creek Canyon

    AUGUST 9, 2025. Helena MT. Host HARAS VISTA DA SERRA.

    “It’s the most beautiful ride I have ever been on” said one visitor to our ranch.   

    The calvagada is 26 kilometers into a mountain wilderness area.  We often see bears, deer or elk along this trail.   The climb to the top of the mountain is 900 vertical meters.  We pass through high grass meadows until we reach Trout Creek Canyon with limestone cliffs soaring hundreds of meters above our heads.    Yes, there are trout in the creek!

    Don’t miss this ride!  But, also stay for the home-cooked buffet meal and music from a local band.    

    Haras Vista da Serra will introduce the Mangalarga Marchador breed and exhibit the best horses in their breeding program during the day.

    About the Ride

    We start the 26 kilometer ride heading down the dusty gravel road from the Vista da Serra ranch to the trailhead. Instantly, among the old growth conifers, a sense of peace settles in your heart. The stately old firs and pines patiently bear witness to our ride. We start to climb. Switchbacks! We gain almost 900 vertical meters in the first four or five kilometers. At the top, the horses rest, blowing the dust from their nostrils, knowing it’s all downhill from here. We start down, the horses quickening their pace in the cool mountain air. Down through the big switchbacks into the open, aspen-ringed meadows, chest deep or deeper in high-land timothy grass. The horses grab quick bites, not even having to drop their heads. The two track ambles on down to the top of Trout Creek Canyon. The stupendous, limestone cliffs soar hundreds of meters above our heads, a cathedral like sense pervades. The single track along the Canyon floor crisscrosses the thread of a creek. Nearly five kilometers of staggering mountain high beauty we ride through, quietly in awe of the natural splendor. Finally, we finish our road back on the dusty gravel road to the Vista da Serra ranch. 

    Get your Mangalarga Marchador ready to join the fun.   There are a few extra horses available for out of state riders.

    ABCCMM/USMMA OFFICIAL EVENT!

    Everyone is welcome, but space is limited, Sign up today!

    • USMMA membership required – weekend rate is $25.
    • Rider with own horse $50 – dinner included
    • Rider needing a horse $100 – dinner included
    • Dinner when not riding $25 (The food is great!)

    ABCCMM Official: Dr. George Vilar 

    Trail bosses:  Tia Nelson and Derek Brown, Dyllon Price

    Questions?   More information?   Please contact the event coordinators:

    UPDATE ON THIS DESTINATION EVENT

    Many participants are arriving a day or two ahead of the event, or staying longer. We have made more plans if you would like to join in!

    Thursday – provisional inspections for the 3 2025 foals: Joy, JuLeo a Journey. Perhaps measurements on the 3 year old horses in the afternoon. Four 2022 Marrchadors from Vista da Serra: Gem, Gisele, Grace and Gwenyvere
    Friday am. Definitive inspections on Five 2022 Marchadors. Devacao do Saint Horse is trailering in for the inspection. 
    Friday pm. Arena riding with various Marchadors. Tia Nelson and Derek Brown will introduce the horses and their breeding program. Riders will get to try both picada and batida gaits. An obstacle course will be set up for fun. 
    Friday evening – Dinner get together at the York Bar.
    Saturday am Saddle up for the Cavalgada! Light lunch or snacks on return
    Saturday evening. Silent Auction winner is announced Brazilian Pot Luck Dinner and Live Music
    Sunday – no plans, but to hang out and if you haven’t ridden enough, maybe more riding. Departures at various times if anyone needs rides to the airport.

    Didn’t make it this year? Mark your calendar for 2026 – Second weekend in August!

    Getting there!

    If flying, the airport is Helena Regional Airport, Helena, MT. Airlines include Alaska Airlines, Delta Airlines an United Airlines. The airport is about 40 minutes from Haras Vista da Serra. You will need to rent a car or share a car to reach the ranch. All groceries, water, or other shopping is best done in Helena before driving east toward York, MT.

    Driving is a great option if you live in a nearby city or state.

    Where to Stay

    Tia and Derek have some options at the ranch. Be sure to contact them early! There are also a few houses for rent if you search airbnb or verb. Here are 2 options I found.

    Staying in Helena is also an option and there are many options for hotels or Airbnbs. However, it will mean it’s 40 minutes to and from the ranch.

    What to See if you stay longer

    https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g45212-Activities-Helena_Montana.html

    Museums, Mining, Ghost towns, Architecture, but the main attraction is the wilderness and nature. Get a guide and go exploring!

    Photo Gallery

    Apoteose do Saint Horse and Daryl Lee. Daryl Lee. Photo Mark LaRowe. Owned by Derek Brown and Tia Nelson.
    Chico Buarque de Lazy T. Tia Nelson. Photo Tia Nelson
    Astucia Vista da Serra. Jean Allred. Photo Daryl Lee.
    Aries Vista da Serra ears. Mary Meyer. His dam Nazare-Pereira de Lazy T ahead with Tia Nelson riding.
    Aries Vista da Serra. Mary Meyer

  • ABCCMM (Brazilian Registry) Inspection Planning

    Dear USMMA Members:

    Tia Nelson, Haras Vista da Serra,   has requested an ABCCMM (Brazilian MM association) inspection in MONTANA during the last week of June.    We are sending out this notification to facilitate coordination with our members who may also need an ABCCMM inspection to double register their Marchador horses with that association.   Coordinating with this first inspection could save money in transportation fees for you if the timing works for you.   If June does not work, we also know that other USMMA/ABCCMM members in Arizona are planning another inspection trip later during the fall and we will keep you apprised of any inspection visit dates in order to make this process easier for you.
    We are fortunate to have an ABCCMM inspector Dr. George Vilar, here in the US, in Florida.   Any ABCCMM member can request an inspection visit from him at any time of their own convenience.  His email is dr.georgevilar@hotmail.com.
    The USMMA does not require inspection of Marchadors for registration.  However, we believe the ABCCMM inspection process is a valuable tool in evaluating and preserving the quality of the Marchador breed, especially for breeding animals.   And a number of North American breeders and owners carry both the USMMA registration and the ABCCMM registration on their horses, so we assist in this and in other cooperative efforts with the Brazilian association.
    The first document 2018 ABCCMM inspection memo describes the ABCCMM registration and inspection process.
    The second document lists the North American Marchador horses that might be ready for ABCCMM inspection as of this moment.   This list does not list all the MM horses that may be ABCCMM ELIGIBLE, so if you have horses or details to add, please let us know.
    Please reply before June 8th  if you would like to participate in this inspection visit, but the sooner, the better.    More details and scheduling will occur with the individual members who sign up.
    Randy Conilogue, USMMA Registrar
    Lynn Kelley, ABCCMM liaison