Marchita (mini Marcha)

What is the Marchita?

Marchita is a 140km, 3-day ride for registered Criollo horses. The first two days

are at controlled speed, however faster than at the Marcha: 15 and 16km/h. On

the last day, you have two free speed loops: one 40km, then vet check and rest

one hour, then the last 20km. The Marchita has also a category for free weights,

and no wonder all the girls entered this one! Rules about clothing, saddling, and

feeding are the same that apply for the Marcha, for example: if you are born

outside of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, you are allowed to dress and saddle

like in your home country (but only gaucho saddles are provided by the

organisers), and the horses do the race only with grass and water, and,

depending on the grass conditions, hay. Plus, Marchita is everything that the

Marcha is, only concentrated: speed, distance, the barbecue, the parties, you

have it all! The only defect I can find in the new discipline is that...it is too short!

But, for visitors, it allows to see other parts of Brazil or Uruguay, visit some

estancias, ride more, whatever you want to do. We will partner with tourist

agencies that can provide to your desires. You can also be a part of it: we will

have three Marchitas next year (April, end of August and end of September),

ask me to more info!

Bolicheiro

He´s young, 7 years old, but you have to respect him because he is twice finalist of the Marcha (2022 with Adriana/Henrique and 2023 with Damyan Serovic from Guatemala), and also placed 2 nd among geldings in 2023. He was doing roping and was offered to us. He has the same good gaits as his mother, Boemia who we rode in 2021; good pulse and plus, is a very calm horse, steady on the trail, even though he’s only 7!
Almirante

Almirante is twice a Marcha finalist, he achieved 1 st place among the geldings in 2021 and 2 nd in 2022 with Sarah Cuthbertson from Canada of Ride Like an Athlete). In 2023 was ridden by Helen Davey from Australia. He has also smooth but powerful gaits, and is as tame as a pet! He is very experienced and lives up true to his name “Admiral”
Ferrari

Ever dreamed of being on board a Ferrari??? She has the speed, energy and comfort of the vehicle, add to this the sheer stamina and power, and off you go! Not forgetting to mention that this one has the spice, so if you like forward horses, this is your horse! She has also an impeccable bloodline of endurance champions: her mother won ten in a row 80km competitions. Ferrari completed in 2023 her first Marcha,.
Buena Sorte

Buena Sorte is 12 years old, and she is already a mature athlete: she was a finalist of the FICCC Marcha (International Federation of Criollo Breeders) in 2019, when she placed 9th. She was also Champion of the 2017 30km cycle. Plus, she´s qualified to FEI* 100km, and finished 2023 Marcha with Jamey Altman from USA, and he was in love with her. She is very calm, has the best gaits ever, and will for sure be an excellent choice.
Iguana

Iguana is your youngest: she is 6 years old, but we have already ridden distance rides with her. No placement, but our aim was just to accustom her to the competition atmosphere, loading, noise, music, etc. She will be competing in the Marchita (mini marcha) at the end of September. We have great hopes on her as she has endless energy and a comfortable gait.
Aguardente

Aguardente is on loan for us from Balula, the legend of the Marcha. We tried Aguardente because we wanted to partner with him, she is also half-sister to Almirante, but they have so different temperaments as the sun and moon. I nicknamed her “Taz”,. Although she did not finish Marcha 2023 (withdrawn at rider´s request), she had a good recovery after the race and we will give her another go.