TUCSON — Governor Jan Brewer has signed a proclamation naming the Colonial Spanish Horse as the Arizona’s Heritage Horse!  The Colonial Spanish Horse is one of Father Kino’s enduring gifts to Southern Arizona  Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, ”The Padre on Horseback”, built 22 missions from Northern Mexico to Arizona and credited much of his success to the stamina of the Colonial Spanish Horse.  Father Kino established a breeding program for the Colonial Spanish Horses and many of these horses were brought to Arizona for use by the ranchers, farmers, and Native Americans.   For more details see their website at www.arizonahorseproject.com

On March 10, 2011, Maureen Kirk-Detberner, Project Manager, Arizona Colonial Spanish Horse Project and member of the Arizona Horse Council came before the monthly board meeting asking for the Arizona Horse Council to give a letter of support for the Colonial Horse Project. Ms. Kirk-Detberner presented to the board the original proclamation signed by Governor Brewer as proof of the project and their efforts. The board agreed to support the efforts of the Arizona Colonial Horse Project with the Spanish Colonial Horse as the offical Heritage Horse of Arizona.