USMMA Registry Rules

USMMA By-Laws Part VI Registry revised 12/2009

Bylaw 601 – Objectives

  • To preserve, maintain and promote the concepts of breed purity and genetic diversity of the Mangalarga Marchador in North America.
  • To ensure and warrant the genetic identification of horses born in North America.
  • To share genealogy records with the Brazilian association (ABCCMM) for our members interested in dual registry.

Bylaw 602 – Registration

Section 1 Eligibility

  1. All horses provisionally or permanently registered by the Brazilian association ABCCMM currently in North America or imported in the future.  Foals that are the proven product of two ABCCMM registered horses.
  2. Foals that are the product of two USMMA-registered Mangalarga Marchador parents.
  3. Foals that are the product of any two registered Mangalarga Marchador horses from different registries recognized by the USMMA.  For example a product from a USMMA-registered parent and an ABCCMM-registered parent.
  4. DNA verification will be required.

Section 2 Required Documentation for Registration

  1. Digital picture of the horse or Coggins certificate showing markings, color etc.
  2. DNA record (including parental verification for foals)*
  3. For imported horses, ABCCMM record of registry.
  4. Veterinary or owner report certifying no heritable defects. (see exhibit A)
  5. Requisite fee as defined in the USMMA Operating Rules.
  6. USMMA does not certify ownership. If the horse is being transferred, the owner returns their registration certificate with the transfer information filled out.  For a horse that has never been registered with the USMMA, the individual seeking registration to submit proof of ownership or statement certifying ownership. Foals born to USMMA registered mares will be registered to the registered owner of the mare unless the recorded owner indicates otherwise.

*Geldings that are registered with the ABCCMM do not need to submit DNA as they are not breeding animals.

All documents submitted to the USMMA during the registration process are considered the property of the USMMA.  While not required, it is recommended that all horses be micro-chipped for identification purposes.

The Board of Directors in its sole discretion can waive DNA requirements for parental verification based on the submission of the applicant seeking USMMA registration. Proof of parentage and supporting documentation is the responsibility of the requestor.

If a USMMA member is unable to submit all documentation required in Section 2 to the satisfaction of the USMMA Registrar, the member may submit a request in writing to the Board of Directors requesting that one or more Section 2 requirements be waived by the Board of Directors. Consideration of any waiver is at the sole discretion of the Board and the Board is under no obligation to approve any waiver.

Section 3 Stud Book

The Official Registry of the United States Mangalarga Marchador Association shall consist of four books: (1) Stallion Book, (2) Mare Book, (3) Geldings Book, and if approved by the Board of Directors (4) Half-Marchador Book. All registrations in the U.S. book are permanent. Unlike the ABCCMM, there are no provisional registrations.

Section 4 Certificate of Registration

The USMMA will provide the owner with a printed certificate of registration that is suitable for framing.  In addition, these records will also be kept permanently and may be available either online or in breeding resource books published by the USMMA.

Section 5 Recognition of Brazilian Certification

The USMMA encourages its members to maintain the high standards for march, conformation and disposition that the Brazilian certification process provides. The USMMA will educate members on how to become ABCCMM members, and provide ABCCMM registry rules and deadlines. It will also work with the ABCCMM to provide inspection opportunities in the U.S.

The USMMA will place an additional seal on the USMMA Certificate of Registration for horses that have been certified and permanently registered by the ABCCMM.

Section 6 Naming Convention

The USMMA will follow the Brazilian tradition of including the original breeding farm as part of the name of the foal.  Registered names remain with the horse for its lifetime. This is described as follows:

  • The entire name of the horse is 2 parts. One part is the horse name. The second part is the name of the breeding line chosen by the owner of the mare at the time of the foal’s birth.
  • The breeding line name can be letters or represent the farm name used by the breeder.
  • The breeding line name can be before the horse name or following the horse name. For example, Herdade Cadilac, where Herdade is the farm name and the breeding line name, or Festa A.J., where A.J. represents the children’s breeding line name of the farm ABAIBA.  Malibu da Santa Terezinha is another example of the name following the horse name.
  • If the breeding line name follows the horse name, typically it is preceded by da, do or de the Portuguese word for OF. This is the HORSE OF THIS FARM. The correct word is determined by if the farm name is feminine or masculine in Portuguese. If this is not known, it is proper to use de, which is neutral.
  • If a foal is purchased before birth, either in-utero, or as an embryo, then the breeding line name would be the owner of the foal at the time of birth.

Once registered with the USMMA, these names remain with the horse for its lifetime.

If registered first with the ABCCMM, the USMMA will adopt the ABCCMM name as the USMMA registered name. The naming convention is identical.

Bylaw 603 – Fees

Fees for registration transactions will be set by the Board of Directors.

Bylaw 604 – Communication

Section 1 Birth Registration

Registration following the birth of a live foal must be done within 180 days with the appropriate documentation and fees. Failure to register within 180 days may result in increased fees. Late registration is defined as any registration that has not been initiated by the owner within 6 months of foaling.

Section 2 Import Registration

Registration following the importation of a horse must be done within 180 days with the appropriate documentation and fees. Late registration is defined as any registration that has not been initiated within 6 months of importation.

Section 3 Changes

Owners and breeders are required to communicate the following changes to the USMMA within  90 days of the change: (1) death; (2) change in gender; (3) change in ownership. . All changes require a return of the original registration certificate.

Changes correcting inaccuracies in the registration certificate including color change with age may be made at any time.

Bylaw 605 – Breeding

Section 1 AI and ET

The USMMA requires DNA records on all registered horses. Because of this requirement, the USMMA recognizes and approves many reproductive methods including: (1) AI using cooled or frozen semen, (2) Embryo-transplants into donor mares that may or may not be Mangalarga Marchador horses. Frozen embryos are allowed.

Section 2 Documentation

Interim notices of breeding are not required due to DNA records required in Bylaw 402.

Bylaw 606 – Branding

The ABCCMM Brand

A place shall be held on the right front shoulder of a Mangalarga Marchador for the ABCCMM’s trademarked M horseshoe brand. This brand can only be applied by an ABCCMM inspector following inspection and approval of the horse according to the ABCCMM inspection and registration guidelines.

The USMMA Brand

The Horse Shoe S brand is the official brand of the USMMA. Its placement on horses designates that the horse is an officially registered Mangalarga Marchador by the USMMA. The brand, either hot brand or freeze brand, shall be placed on the right thigh of said horses. It is not a mandatory brand but is an option for those wanting to use it as a mark of distinction of USMMA registration.

Bylaw 607 – Non-liability

The USMMA, the Board of Directors, Association Members, Officers, Registry Board, Committee Members, employees, representatives and agents shall attempt to obtain true and complete information as applies to all registry and registration matters but accepts no liability for its accuracy when based upon information supplied by the applicants for registration, transfer of ownership, or any other Registry Transaction.