8 / Sport and Trail Magazine
A Montanan by birth, Tia has been a full-time professional farrier since 1980. In 1995 she made the decision to enhance her love of, and service to, animals by entering veterinary school.
A breed of Iberian descent, the Marchadors originated from the crossing of Lusitano stallions and Barb mares in Brazil during its colonization by the Portuguese. The National Horse of Brazil, the Marchadors are widely revered for their beauty, intelligence, calm disposition, silky smooth gait, endurance and versatility.
The MMHAA (Mangalarga Marchador Horse Association of America) was the first and original USA breed registry. Founded in 2000, it began importing foundation Mangalarga Marchadors between 2001-2004. The US Mangalarga Marchador association (USMMA), created in 2005, is now the official registry of Marchador horses foaled in North America, with about 250 Mangalarga Marchadors registered with the USMMA. Some of these have dual registration with the Brazilian ABCCMM (Associacao Brasileira dos Criadores do Cavalo Mangalarga Marchador) which was founded in 1948 to preserve, regulate and register the unique bloodlines of the Marchador breed.
The rigorous inspection and registration process consists of over 50 measurements and includes a ride by the inspector during which the gait characteristics are evaluated.