Category Archives: Information

Xel Ha and Michelle Parker take top prize in the Jumper Classic. Other members of the team pictured are: Salvador Alvarado (2nd from left), Armando Salazar (3rd from left in back), Albert Pinella (4th from left), and Tula Pinella (far right).

Xel Ha, the sensational young warmblood discovered and started in Mexico by Alejandro Alvarado of Rancho Las Tres Cruces when she was just a four-year-old, is coming into her own with a vengeance.  Alex brought her to the attention of California rider/trainer Michelle Parker who imported the mare for new owner Tula Pinella. Now just turning nine years of age, Xel Ha had an awesome year in 2012 competing in the FEI meter 50 division. She is fast, brave and careful and is now developing a competitive attitude as she learns her job.

At Michelle’s Cross Creek West facility in San Marcos, California, Salvador keeps Xel Ha in top form at home with his meticulous conditioning program. In addition he assists Michelle with expert coaching both at home and on the road.

Rancho Las Tres Cruces, Salvador and Alex all wish Michelle and Xel Ha continued success as the 2013 season gets underway!

Some of Xel Ha’s top prizes include:

April 7, 2012 – A double whammy at the Blenheim Spring Classic II.  First in Friday’s $10,000 1.35M Jumper Classic (speed) and first again on Saturday in the $40,000 Grand Prix.  Read about it on Blenheim’s website HERE.

August 31, 2012 – Xel Ha, winner of this event in 2011, defends her title by winning again the $32,000 Showpark Jumper Classic with an uncatchable time of 70.78 in the one-round speed class, beating the next horse (also ridden by Michelle) by nearly two seconds!  Read about it HERE and HERE.

September 13, 2012 – Xel Ha remains uncatchable as she dominates the $32,000 Blenheim Jumper Classic again, winning her second Jumper Classic in as many weeks!  Read about it HERE and HERE.

Reina with Michelle Parker in the saddle scored a hotly contested win the last week of the huge HITS Thermal circuit in California.  With 2700 horses on the showgrounds and international competitors at the peak of their game, Saturday’s featured class, the $15,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic, was studded with top riders aboard their best up-and-coming horses.  Five horse/rider combinations went clean in the first round and returned to go clean again in the jump off, but Reina’s smooth ride and fast time carried the day.

Reina is the foundation mare of Rancho Las Tres Cruces.  With time off for motherhood early in her career, she is already a grandmother but still competes successfully in top company.  Congratulations to Reina and Michelle!

Top 5 Placings

1. Reina – Michelle Parker (USA)
2. Premiere – Antonio Maurer (MEX)
3. Ace – Abigail Weese (USA)
4. Colande – Joie Gatlin (USA)
5. Careyes – Patricio Pasquel (MEX)

Congratulations go to Mario and Michele Forgione for purchasing two exceptional horses with ties to Rancho Las Tres Cruces. En route to their new home in Florida are the RLTC homebred mare Cameo as well as Lassila de Moyon, who was discovered in Mexico by Alejandro Alvarado and then exported to Michelle Parker and Salvador Alvarado. Cameo has a bright future ahead of her and we hope that this wonderful mare, who was started and trained by Las Tres Cruces’ own Alejandro, will develop into the top horse that we think she is with her new rider Steve DiCarlo of Naples, Florida. Steve will also be campaigning Lassila de Moyon who has already proven himself by winning a HITS Pfizer Million Dollar Grand Prix qualifier with Michelle Parker in the irons. We wish Steve the best of luck with both horses and great success in the future. In the meanwhile, before starting her show career, Cameo produced a future Las Tres Cruces superstar now growing up on the ranch.

Blenheim Equisports Press Release – 2010 Blenheim Red, White & Blue Classic

Congratulation to Michelle Parker and Socrates de Midos on their victory in the $25,000 Red White & Blue Festival Grand Prix at the Mission Viejo Riding Park in San Juan Capistrano. The Alvarado brothers, Alex & Sal, discovered the big grey gelding on a horse buying trip to Europe late in 2008 and are proud of his show ring prowess with Michelle. Since his arrival in the U.S. he has already garnered three grand prix wins and multiple placements.

Pictured above in addition to Michelle Parker aboard Socrates are the members of her team: Salvador Alvarado of Rancho Las Tres Cruces (left), Armando Salazar, Alejandro Alvarado (also of Las Tres Cruces), Albert Pinella and the awards presentation staff of the Red White & Blue Festival.

This week Alejandro was asked to step up from his usual role as trainer into the competitive riding position after Michelle Parker took a nasty fall on the very first day of the Blenheim Oaks June Classic show. With an entire week of showing ahead, Alejandro took over the reins of Xel Ha, Reina, and Tocayo (pictured here with Alejandro). Fortunately Alejandro has trained and and known these horses for quite awhile. He actually was present at Reina’s birth and was up for her first time under saddle. Now competing in the 1.3m division with a future in the Grand Prix arena, Reina is quite a success story for Rancho Las Tres Cruces. Alejandro also got to pick up the reins of the feisty 6 year old mare Xel Ha who was discovered by Alejandro and Salvador as a 4 year old in Mexico City. Xel Ha has an incredible future ahead of her as an international level jumper. Alejandro is shown here competing aboard the Mexican export Tocayo who was also discovered by the Alvarado brothers. He placed well in the Open Jumper class on this young superstar.