New Mexico lost one of its finest citizens this week when Barbara Windom passed away while at a Peruvian Horse Show in Oklahoma City. She was 82 and doing what she loved – showing Peruvian Horses. Information about her horse ranch, La Estancia Alegre, can be found at http://www.laestanciaalegre.com/about/
She received national acclaim for raising the finest Peruvians and employs two exemplary trainers: Roberto and Roeliff on her 100+acre pastures and working ranch along the banks of the Rio Grande in Alcalde, just north of Espanola.
She grew up in Los Angeles in a movie business family riding with Elizabeth Taylor, among other famous people. Her passion for horses never diminished. The Peruvian became her mount of choice later in life due to their extremely smooth gaits which was easy on her very bad back.
Frequently she would join the Valles Caldera open trail rides, and organized many trail rides from her own ranch. She was also well-known for hosting some of the best clinics in New Mexico featuring Mark Bolender for whom she built a 3 acre extreme trail course with a trestle bridge, running streams, ponds, and an assortment of unusual obstacles. People came from outside New Mexico to attend.
She was highly intelligent, warm, gracious and a close friend to many. The family’s obituary can be found on Facebook. You can also view tribute video and other memorials of Barbara on NAPHA Facebook. A loss for everyone that knew her, she will be remembered for a wonderful family, and her contribution to the Peruvian horse breed in the USA.
Happy Trails Barbara
She was a first class lady and a very professional business woman. I had the fortunate opportunity to work with her back in the 90’s on her home in Malibu, as well as worked together on many projects in Beverly Hills and Malibu.
Will miss her dearly and may she rest in peace.
Gregory A. Behr