 |
| Photo courtesy of Beth Mendivil, President of the Spanish Barb Horse Association ACADIA RANCH MUSEUM ARIZONA HERITAGE HORSE PRESENTATION The Acadia Ranch Museum, 825 E. Mt. Lemmon Highway in Oracle, will be the site of a presentation on the Arizona Heritage Horse. The talk and presentation will be on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 2 to 4 pm. The event is free although donations are greatly appreciated. Space is limited; early arrival is recommended. In 2012, the state of Arizona made the Colonial Spanish Horse the official Arizona Heritage Horse as part of their Centennial Celebration. The Colonial Spanish horse also known as the “Spanish Barb” is America’s first horse brought to the Americas by the Spanish Conquistadors. In 1540, they were brought to Arizona by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado when he came searching for gold. These horses played an important part in Arizona’s history and culture. The Spanish Barb was used by the Spanish explorers, missionaries, vaqueros, Native Americans, ranchers and the American cowboys in the settling of the west. Esha Mork, owner and breeder of the Wilbur-Cruce strain of the Spanish Barb will be giving the presentation on the history of the horse, the Wilbur-Cruce line, and the Spanish Barb Association. Esha lives in Oracle and will also have one of her horses present for viewing. The Spanish Barb Association is dedicated to the perpetuation, preservation and restoration of the breed known as the Spanish Barb. Learn how the association is working to save these critically rare horses and how you can help to preserve this living history. |
