AMANDALUSIAN FARM was established in late 1990 when my parents, Joe and Nancy Latta, bought our first Andalusian -- an imported 2 year old filly, INDISCRETA, bred by Luis Arenas of Mexico. My mom looked into her big dark eyes and instantly knew INDISCRETA was to be apart of our family.

Our first year of showing came in 1991 after we met our trainer, Sandy Shields. INDISCRETA won four regional championships and three national championships in western and hunt seat during her show career.

At the 1994 California Regional Show, another pair of huge expressive eyes stole our hearts. They belonged to a beautiful 2 year old grey stallion named MAYORAL LA. Mayoral was under the tutelage of Warren Mather for Luis Arenas. MAYORAL became a member of Amandalusian Farm and since then has been my companion, best friend, guardian and teacher. He has taught me so many lessons of patients, tolerance, and how to become a better rider. We have a bond that cannot be broken.

MAYORAL has carried Sandy and me to FIFTEEN IALHA National Championships including High Point Saddle Seat Horse Award, and the 1997 Show Horse of the Year Award, as well as fifteen regional championships in Saddle Seat, Hunt Seat, Western, Country Pleasure, and Show Hack. At the 2002 IALHA National Show, Mayoral won the Open Western Pleasure class and the very competitive Open Show Hack class. I will never forget those moments!

While in Spain in early 2002, Sandy Shields discovered another pair of soul searching eyes that were destined to be apart of our lives. They belonged to a beautiful five year old black stallion named Fabuloso XLI.

At Fabuloso’s first show--the California Regionals--he thrilled us with his wonderful attitude and carried Sandy and me to champion and reserve champion in Country Pleasure Saddle Seat. At the 2002 Nationals, as a young competitor Fabuloso was Top 5 in the very competitive 5 & over Senior Stallion Class.

In 2004 we imported 2 beautiful stallions, Kripton SENI II, reserve champion junior stallion of Spain and Orgulloso XLIX, Reserve Champion Driving horse at SICAB. We have also imported 2 beautiful mares, the bay Afrodita M Suay who is already competing and winning best movement classes and a young black mare.

All of us at AMANDALUSIAN FARM are so grateful for our trainer, Sandy Shields, for sharing her talents as a horsewoman in the development of our horses. Without her patience, dedication, care, and support we would not be AMANDALUSIAN FARM.

Amanda Latta-Shields