Today, there are over 350,000 registered Mangalarga Marchador horses in Brazil and a number found in several countries outside its Brazilian homeland. While there are less than forty-five foundation Marchador horses in the United States, they are catching the attention of the horse world. You may have seen them on Horse Talk TV, marching in the New Year’s 2002 Pasadena Rose Parade, at Fiesta of the Spanish Horse, Western States Horse Expo in Sacramento, Equine Affaire in Pomona, Southern National Exposition in Perry, Georgia or Equitana in Lexington, Kentucky.

Since their introduction to the U.S., the United States has approved and granted a trademark to the American Mangalarga Marchador Horse Association for the Mangalarga Marchador brand, logos and name just as other fine products. This trademark is protected under U.S. Customs laws and provides that only authorized registered Mangalarga Marchador horses can be imported. A Mangalarga Marchador is identified with the letter “M” inside a horseshoe on the right shoulder and is registered with the MMHAA, which is headquartered in Ocala, Florida. A Marchador horse without this identification or registration with the authorization of MMHAA, which is recognized by the American Horse Council and the Brazilian ABCCMM Association (Associacao Brasileira dos Criadores do Cavalo Mangalarga Marchador) as the official U.S. breed registration and association, is just a horse. Approved crosses will be registered as a Mangalarga Paulista, a recognized breed here and in Brazil.

Who are these Mangalarga Marchadores, the national gaited sport horse of Brazil? Once you get the rhythm, it’s easy to pronounce, “Manga-larga-Marcha-dor”. Sharing a history with other Iberian breeds, Portuguese King D. Joao founded the Alter Royal breeding farm in 1751, dedicated to improving the national horse breeds. Crossing Andalusian with Barbs, the breed gained notoriety during the remainder of the 18th century. In 1808, King D. Joao VI, fled with his court and finest stallions to Brazil when Napoleonic Armies threatened Portugal. Further breeding of these royal stallions with imported Barb mares produced a horse known for its rhythmic smooth gaits, gentle character, amazing stamina and characteristic regal bearing that is hardy and adaptable to all climates, feed and terrains.

With a long history behind them, the Marchadores stamina is literally legendary and documented in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest endurance ride on horseback. Three 60 year-old Brazilian men traveled nearly 9000 miles on their Marchador horses for over a year in altitudes ranging from sea level to 15,000 ft. and temperatures ranging from zero to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Owners of this magnificent breed believe that the Marchadores’ impact on the equestrian world will be fantastic. “The American public has been waiting for a horse this versatile. From endurance to dressage, jumping or polo, they are extremely intelligent and easily trained”. The Marchador comes in all colors including pinto.