La Estancia Alegre (LEA) was one of the top Peruvian breeding operations in the United States up until the death of owner Barbara Windom in 2018. The herd has been dispersed; we're thankful to all the people who stepped up to offer homes for her beloved horses. You can still find her bloodlines in various parts of the country, including Colorado, Idaho and California. Master Chalán Roberto Quijan
dría, who trained Windom's horses with patience and kindness for more than 20 years, now runs a training center out of Meadowbrook Farms in Castle Rock, Colorado. The ranch started breeding, training and showing Peruvian horses in 1995. Windom concentrated on breeding a horse that is strong and well-gaited. The horses were raised in pastures with ample grass; irrigation from the Rio Grande near Santa Fe was invaluable to keeping the horses healthy and sound. Soundness has been an extremely important factor of Windom's breeding program. She was very successful in developing horses with excellent conformation, gait and brio that hold up over the years and for countless miles under saddle. Windom took great pride in showing and sharing her horses whenever the occasion arose; several schools in her area brought the children to see, touch and sometimes ride the horses. Windom led exhibitions for local museums for more than 15 years, and she frequently hosted working clinics. La Estancia Alegre was the premier location in New Mexico for professional photographers who bring their workshop participants; they were always amazed at the friendliness and curiosity of the horses. La Estancia Alegre was always open to visitors; Windom enjoyed educating people about her magnificent breed. She was always proud to offer people their first ride on a Peruvian. She loved watching as that big smile appears on the face of the rider when the horse goes into paso llano.
