The Mangalarga Marchador is the National Horse of Brasil. The Mangalarga Marchador with over 200,000 registries in Brazil and  is one of the most popular and widespread horse in South America. It was developed by Gabriel Francisco Junquiera who, in 1822, bred his stallion Sublime (an Alter Real Stallion) to native mares of Spanish Jennet and Barb blood many of which were fast and smooth amblers. The first off spring produced from this cross were called Sublime horses. 

Tabatinga Tóbero
Stallion
owned by
Paulo Bicalho
of
Rancho Haras Quitumb

The name Mangalarga comes from the Hacienda Mangalarga which acquired stock from Campo Alegre ( Gabriel Francisco' breeding farm) and awakened interest in the horse among local ranchers. The horses smooth, cadenced and rhythmic gait, the marcha, contributed to the second name the Mangalarga Marchador was created.  The first association for the Mangalarga Marchador horse was founded in 1949 to set standards in confirmation, disposition, and gait. From these early beginnings, the Mangalarga Marchadorhas been selectively bred for over 180 years and it is said that no other breed has been crossed in. Genetic studies of these lines show many species with very little or no outside influences. These lines proved to produce horses that were sure footed, graceful, comfortable and of excellent temperament. 
 

Quilha Tabatinga
Mare
owned by
Paulo Bicalho
of
Rancho Haras Quitumb

The Mangalarga Marchador is between 14.2 and 16 hands, weighing around 1,000 pounds.  Most colors are represented in the breed, with grays, bays, and chestnuts being predominant. Horses smaller than 14.2 hands are not being accepted for registration. The Mangalarga Marchador is intelligent, regal and docile with an undying stamina.   Rigorous tests including cross country, endurance, reining, and gait classed insure the breeding of excellent stock. Natural gaits are the walk, the marches, and the canter.  There are two different marcha types.  Which one is superior is subject to personal preference.

Of the two marchas, the marcha picada is a bit smoother. It is a broken pace and therefore creates little vertical movement, similar to the Paso Fino corto or Largo, and has also been compared to the Peruvian Paso Llano. The Marcha Batida is a diagonal four beat gait, similar to the Trocha in the Paso Fino breed.
 

Godiva Quitumba
7 year old mare owned by
Paulo Bicalho
of
Rancho Haras Quitumb

The Mangalarga Marchador breed has an alert and attentive attitude. The excellent disposition of the Mangalarga Marchador, as well as its docility and intelligence, makes it an easy animal to train. 

The breed can now be found in Germany, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Holland and many South American countries. Mangalargas finally arrived in the United States in 1991.