Supporters

Update: November 2009 - Arizona State Senator Jonathan Paton from State Senate District 30, has agreed to sponsor the State Bill to have the Colonial Spanish Horse named as the State Horse of Arizona. If you would like to be included in as a supporter or want updates on this bill please email us at horses@arizonahorseproject.com.

November 25, 2009 - American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) offers a letter in support of this project. In her letter Barbara Linke, AQHA Director of Public Policy states "the American Quarter Horse is a descendant of the Colonial Spanish Barb horses brought to the North American continent in the 1600s....Best of luck with your project."

December 3, 2009 - The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (ALBC) sends a letter of support to the project. The ALBC Mission is Ensuring the future of agriculture through genetic conservation and the promotion of endangered breeds of livestock and poultry. Charles R. Bassett, ALBC Executive Director, states " The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is pleased to support the work of the Arizona Colonial Spanish Horse Project Committee and welcomes the opportunity to endorse the designation of the Colonial Spanish Horse as the official Arizona State Horse."

December 12, 2009 - D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, PhD sent a wonderful letter of support to the project.  Dr. Sponenberg has been instrumental in documenting the various strains of the Colonial Spanish Horse throughout the United States.  Dr. Sponenberg states "Designation as the state horse would improve its prospects for a secure future, which is a future that is richly deserves following its essential contributions to the state over the centuries."

December  2009 - We have received a lovely support statement from Cathleen Prudhomme of the Equine Resource Guide of Arizona.  "Considerable research and thought has gone into designating the Colonial Spanish Horse as our Arizona State Horse.  This recognition preserves the breed's history and role as Mission Horses, along with it's place in the lineage of modern breeds of American horses.  It also pays tribute to the unique near-pure descendants, the Wilbur-Cruce Mission Horses, preserved in Arizona by Dr. Wilbur's granddaughter, Eva Antonia Wilbur-Cruce.  The importance of this horse in the development of Arizona's history emphasizes the importance of ALL horses in modern Arizona." 

December 17, 2009 - The Spanish Barb Breeders Association (SBBA) sends a letter of support for the project. The President of SBBA, Steve Dobrott says "This horse is historically and genetically unique and figures strongly in the ancestors of most American breeds. Their traits including a winning temperament and keen intelligence coupled with the hardiness developed by the selective hand of nature make this breed the logical horse to represent Arizona."

February 1, 2010 - Fran Lynghaug the author of, The Official Horse Breeds Standards Guide; the complete guide to the standards of all North American equine breed associations, in her letter of support states " I am in full support of the Colonial Spanish horse becoming the official State Horse of Arizona because, as the main workforce in the early development of Arizona, it gave completely of its heart and soul to the people struggling in that endeavor. Its history is integrally tied to the state as the horse that carried missionaries, native people, and settlers to the area and worked side by side with them. It became associated with Native American and Mexican cultures and was highly treasured for its quickness, surefootedness, intelligence and courage."  Thanks Fran for a beautiful eloquent statement of support!   

February 13, 2010 - Donald T. Garate, Chief of Interpretation/Historian for Tumacacori National Historical Park states in his letter of support "There is little doubt that the pedigree of these horses date back to that original Spanish contact, which took place when Padre Kino first visited Tumacacori In January 1691, some 221 years before Arizona became a state.  This means that this horse has been present in what is today the State of Arizona for, at least, 319 years on today's date. 

February 14, 2010 - Clay Harper of Clay Harper Horsemanship sends a message of support "I wholeheartedly believe this is the right horse for Arizona! I am willing to help in any way I can, in making your dream a reality."  Thanks Clay!

February 15, 2010 - County Line Riders of Catalina (CLRC), Catalina Arizona states "Horses have been a way of life in the Arizona Territory since the introduction of Colonial Spanish Horses from the early explorers to our area.  Thousands of people in Arizona own horses and contribute millions of dollars into the economy each year.  There is no better representative of this designation than the historic Colonial Spanish Horse" in their letter of support.

February 22, 2010 - The Santa Cruz Valley Heritage Alliance sends a letter of support for the project.  The letter states "Because of the Colonial Spanish Horse's historical significance in the Santa Cruz Valley, it is discussed in the feasibility study to designate a Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area.  As such, we strongly support the selection of the rare breed to represent and commemorate the Arizona Centennial Celebration."

February 22. 2010 - Rex Allen Jr. becomes the celebrity spokesperson for the project.  Rex's letter of support embodies the essence of the impact of the horse on Arizona life. For a complete Bio on Rex Allen Jr. please go here.