Intro
The Camarillo white horse has become famous over the years for their brilliant white coat and are well loved as dazzling parade animals.
Origins
This breed was developed early in the 20th century and began with a flagship stud named Sultan. The colt was of Spanish descent and bright white with brown eyes. At about 10 years of age he was admired and purchased by Adolfo Camarillo at the Sacramento State Fair.
Adolfo purchased Sultan for $500, took him to Ventura County and began a breeding program in the hopes of passing his white coat along. During that time in California Morgans were popular for ranch horses, so Adolfo began breeding with Morgan mares.
Sultan passed on his color genetics to his progeny and a family tradition developed along with the breed. Ownership of the breed nucleus was passed through the Camarillo family and when Adolfo died his daughter Carmen continued breeding and parading Camarillos.
When she died in 1987, her will maintained that the Camarillo white be auctioned off and they were sold at a public auction. Unfortunately, this almost sent the breed into extinction and in 1991 there were only 11 of them left. In response to this threat, the Camarillo White Horse Association was founded in 1992 to protect the remaining animals.
Today the future of the Camarillo White horses lies in the hands of personal breeders (still in Ventura County). These breeders take preservation of the breed seriously and still show them off in parades.
It should also be noted that in the 1930’s the American Albino breed was developed from one white stud who was also crossed with Morgan mares and able to pass on his creamy color.
While the coloring of the breed is homogeneous, they are not a color breed and they have specific physical characteristics as well.
Physique
Large expressive eyes
Good topline and compact body
Traditional Colors
Born white and remain so throughout their lives, they are a form of dominant white. This is due to the dominant gene (W). Breeding this white gene can be tricky, as if two parents carry it (WW) the resulting fetus will not see term. Because of this, the Camarillo White Association’s motto is “Breed for conformation and pray for a white foal.”
Temperament
Strong and true
Use
Parade horses
Riding Horses
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Camarillo White Horse
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