U.S. Mangalarga Marchador Association (USMMA)

Blog

  • AERC Convention Feb 24-25

    Irene Howcroft, USMMA Secretary is attending this annual event and presenting the Marchador breed in a booth at the trade show.

    The AERC stands for American Endurance Ride Conference. Endurance is a wonderful sport for the Marchador breed with their stamina, temperament and comfortable, ground-covering gaits. We have several Marchador owners and horses competing in the 25 mile and 50 mile rides.

    The USMMA also sponsors a year-end breed award for the Marchadors in conjunction with the AERC who tracks the miles and the entries. Kari Graves was our 2022 winner with her horse. Flying Oaks Zephyrus.

    Here are the banners that Irene made for the MM booth. The USMMA provided Marchador flyers and the Breeder’s list for handouts at the booth.

    For more information about the AERC and their convention, go to their website https://aerc.org

    Big 8 foot banner as backdrop. Narrow banner at front of booth. Please request the pdf file (too big) if you would like a copy to use.

  • The horse’s hoof!

    Our first virtual challenge is one that is easy to do in winter! No riding, but lots of learning. Our VC creator, Dana Johnsen, has been a farrier and barefoot trimmer for many years. She has offered to give feedback and consultation on your horse’s feet based on the photos and information you submit. We also have a second consultant offering her assistance, our USMMA President, Dr. Tia Nelson, also a farrier as well as a vet. Thank you both for a wonderful challenge!

    Hoof form & function assessment

    This challenge is to take series of 5 images: 1 of your horse (side shot) and 4 of your horse’s front left hoof. Barefoot or shod – the challenge is for all!

    Taking good hoof photos is crucial to getting a good evaluation of your horse’s hooves. Studying good hoof photos will help you learn more about the health of your horse’s hooves and how to spot problems before they occur.

    We made the VC entries easier to complete using an online google document. In the instructions is also a link to showing you how to take the photos to send in.

    We are all winners in this challenge! First 5 entries will get a hoof pick!

    ENTER BY MARCH 17th!

    Click the link below to enter:

    https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSerR_J74yP7Yahk6DiCZVwg828agx15h-u2moscLgZmTbxocg/viewform?usp=sf_link

  • 2023 MM Flyer

    Marchador FAQs!

    Download and use this flyer – for your friends, family and at events! It looks best on glossy paper, printed double-sided.

    If you need a large quantity, contact us for help in printing.

    final flyer 2023 MM FaqsDownload

    Photo by Bonnie Cazier. USMMA has rights to use the photo from the artist.

  • 4Q Virtual Challenge

    Thanks to Dana Johnsen for creating this challenges for us! Marchador personalities – a photo and story submission of any or all the Marchador horses you own. Every submission will receive a small reward for entering. Entries in by December 31st!

    Dana’s tips:

    – Each entry sent separately via email to usmmarchador@gmail.com

    – Less tack is better

    – use lighting and angles to your best advantage

    Attached is a pdf document as well as a picture.

    USMMA VC 4 22 (1)Download

  • 3Q Virtual Competition

    Congratulations and thank you to the members who tried and submitted photos and videos. We have a new challenge for the 4th Quarter coming shortly.

    For conformation photos, the first 3 places went to:

    • Adrienne C. Scheck, photos of Gaia do Summerwind
    • D.j. Sims Klein, photos of Boneca da Lusonatica
    • Cathy Pierce, photos of Paris do Summerwind
    Conformation photos and comments about what’s good and what might be improved.

    For the ridden competition, you can view the entries on Youtube.

    Entries are:

    • Adrienne C. Scheck and Gaia do Summerwind
    • Carolina Biselli Peterson and Kharisma do Summerwind
    • Randy Gassett and Nobre do Summerwind
    • Dana Johnsen and Valentim Beijo Fazenda Zouga
    • Servando Garcia and Tigre do Summerwind
    • D.j. Sims Klein and Boneca da Lusonatica

  • Election Results Announcement

    Dear Members,

    We did undertake the task of finding an independent third party to validate the counts, as requested by some USMMA members. Part of our search process included contacting a non-profit law firm. They advised that there is nothing in the AZ statutes that requires this action to be taken and they also advised that hiring someone would likely be costly.  Therefore, the current USMMA Officers have decided not to delay, and to announce the election results. We don’t believe spending USMMA funds on hiring lawyers and accountants to review a computerized election process makes sense.

    This computerized platform is considered to be an impartial third party.  We would rather spend our time and resources supporting our members. The computer program tabulated the votes automatically. We trust the integrity of our current President and Registrar to fairly review the voting and determine the election results.

     It is time for all candidates to put aside their differences and focus on what brought us together in the first place, the Mangalarga Marchador. There is plenty of opportunity for anyone unhappy with the results to volunteer to make our association better. Let’s all look forward!

    Sincerely,

    Cathy Pierce USMMA President cpierce@stx.rr.com

    Election results: 100 members voted.

    PRESIDENT: Tia Nelson  72 votes – 72%        Ronald Knaack 28 votes – 28%

    VICE PRESIDENT: Cathy Pierce  100 votes – 100%

    TREASURER:     Lynn Kelley.   100 votes – 100%

    SECRETARY:     Irene Howcroft  58 votes – 58%    Linda Holst 42 votes – 42%

  • Candidate Answers to Questions

    Dear Members:

    We will be preparing for the USMMA election to begin in October, scheduled for Oct 15-31.  Please find attached all of the candidates answers to the questions we posed. Take some time to get to know more about them!

    The candidate slate is as follows:

    President – Tia Nelson, DVM and Ronald Knaack

    Vice President – Cathy Pierce

    Secretary – Linda Holst and Irene Howcroft

    Treasurer – Lynn Kelley 

    The answers are also posted on our website and if you are on FB, we have created a new FB 2022 election page, where these will be posted as well. Respond to this email if you have not gotten an invite to that FB page yet.

    Thank you all for your interest and we look forward to having you participate in the next election. Please vote in this important election.

    Sincerely, Cathy Pierce. USMMA President. cpierce@stx.rr.co 361-739-9988

    For the office of President, the bios can be found on this page as well as the job description for President. USMMA President 2022

    Presidential Candidate Answers to Questions below: Tia Nelson and Ronald Knaack

    USMMA Candidates answersDownload
    USMMA Questions – RonaldDownload

    For the office of Vice President, the bios can be found on this page as well as the job description for Vice President. USMMA Vice President 2022

    Vice Presidential Candidate Answers to Questions below: Cathy Pierce

    USMMA Questions – CathyDownload

    For the office of Secretary, the bios can be found on this page as well as the job description for Secretary.USMMA Secretary 2022

    Secretary Candidate Answers to Questions below: Irene Howcroft and Linda Holst

    USMMA Questions for Candidates 2022 IRENEDownload
    USMMA Questions for Candidates-Linda HolstDownload

    For the office of Treasurer, the bios can be found on this page as well as the job description for Treasurer USMMA Treasurer 2022

    Treasurer Candidate Answers to Questions below: Lynn Kelley

    USMMA Questions for Candidates 2 LynnDownload

  • Election Candidate Questions

    The following questions were asked of each candidate. We will post their responses once we receive their answers.

    1. What are your main priorities as (for your elected position) President/ Vice President/ Secretary / Treasurer?
    1. As a candidate for being elected to the USMMA board, what do you think the purpose and goals of USMMA should be moving forward?
    1. What can you personally contribute to achieve these goals?
    1. How can the USMMA become more active and promote the Mangalarga Marchador in North America to a wider audience?
    1. Do you value our affiliation with the ABCCMM?  If yes, how would you like to strengthen this connection?
    1. How are you going to support members who have different viewpoints, interests, and levels of experience? 

    Optional:

    1.  Where do you see the USMMA in 5 years?

    2.  What goals do you have for our organization?

  • Jeff Bosley Resigns

    We have been informed yesterday that our President of 7 years, Jeff Bosley has resigned his Presidency effective immediately.   It is sad and disappointing news. He has served us so well for so many years.   We thank him for his dedication and service to our organization.   

    Jeff felt ” I am unable to continue as President as I have come to believe my goals for the USMMA are no longer aligned with other BOD (Board of Directors) members or BOD candidates.”


    Cathy Pierce, our USMMA Vice President, assumes the position of President for the remainder of his term ending December 31, 2022.   Cathy will carry on with the election planning.  We will be posting the questions we have asked the candidates to answer.  She is dedicated to having a fair and valid election still planned right now for October.   


    Cathy is open to hear from you if you wish to contact her.   Here is her contact information.  

    mail: cpierce@stx.rr.com; cell phone number is: 361-739-9988; address 3230 Roscher Rd, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

  • August Newsletter

    Click on this link to see the newsletter online.

    https://issuu.com/usmma/docs/usmma_news_august_2022

    In this newsletter – USMMA news, events past and present! Please send in your news and photos for the next issue!