Who we are
Ignacio Perez: 15 de septiembre de 1950 y me inicié en las artes ecuestres tan pronto como pude caminar. Para los 9 años en la hacienda La Leticia que había comprado mi padre ya éramos diestros en todo menos en como cuidar a los caballos. A los 18 años cuandocomencé los estudios universitarios comencé a trabajar en los temas agrícolas yespecialmente ganaderos. Para los 20 años cuando ya estaba casado y con hijas operaba una hacienda lechera en el valle de Salinas que se llamaba Pigpigal, enhonor a una pequeña lechuza que existe en el sector. Desde esa fecha mi vida ha estado vinculada con el campo con los espacios lógicos de estudio, que en mi caso fueron tres para la maestría en los EEUU. Formé parte de los gremios ganaderos y agrícolas desde el año 1972, fui presidente de la camara de agricultura por dos años, representante del sector privado de la sierra a la Junta Monetaria por 2 años, Viceministro de agricultura por 4 años, autor intelectual y material de la eliminación de la ley de reforma agraria y promotor e impulsor de la ley existente de Desarrollo Agrario. Fui por 6 años productor y exportador de brócoli y ahora desde hace 6 años ganadero de leche, cultivador de caña de azúcar, productor de brócoli y cultivador de bosques de pino.
Gabriel Espinosa: Quito February 25, 1954. Dairy farmer, guide and owner of the Hacienda La Alegria. Learned how to ride horses as young boy. While growing up, lived and worked at his family Hacienda. A dedicated farmer, that during his life has cultivated many crops including: wheat, oats, corn, strawberry, peas, potatoes and others. He has served in many committees and has been involved with dairy organizations. Comes from a family of horseback riders. Jumper as a kid, later became a polo player as his dad. Passionate about nature, and horses that he has passed on to his family. He is the guide for Hacienda La Alegria horse riding tours and rides almost everyday. He is constantly searching for new riding trails and ways to promote Ecuador’s beauty by horse. Genuinely believes in Ecuador’s potential and the importance of protecting our natural resources.
Luis Landazuri: Quito December 2, 1950. High school diploma Bishop Gibbles High School in New York. Continue his studies for commercial pilot, business administration, and first Ecuadorian civil parachute. All his life involved with the dairy sector and interested with nature and now Manager for Agricola Land Work and dairy farmer. Always lived in farms and became horse enthusiast at early age. At age of seven he had his first 2 day ride, to the Pichincha crater from Lloa Haciendas. Growing up he did many short rides and at age of seventeen did a 3 day ride around the Great Lakes in the US. Since then, he has kept doing long rides around the south area of the Pichincha province. Every time he travels he tries to include a horseback ride in his travel plans. He had the opportunity to ride on an Arab horse around the Egyptian pyramids. Today he takes the challenge and great opportunity to ride for 32 days throughout the Ecuador highlands.
Carlos Larrea: Riobamba June 22, 1977. Ing. Zootecnista (Animal Production Engineer). Dairy farmer and horseback rider in many disciplines including: jumper, polo and rodeo. He has participated in several long distance rides in Ecuador, such as: Riobamba-Sangolqui, Machahci-Riobamba, Cuenca- Riobamba, Galgalan-Macas, Crusita-Tonsupa, and others. He has served in many committees related with agriculture and horsemanship in Ecuador. He is extremely interested and keeps ongoing research on Criollo horses.