October 28, 1864
On this day founder of the line of Camarillo White Horses, Adolpho Camarillo, was born. His rare and beautiful horses have been thrilling 
spectators at Tournament of Roses parades for more than half a century.
An agricultural innovator, Adolpho (left) began managing his family’s 10,00-acre ranch in southern California at just 16, following the death of his father, Juan. Himself a successful merchant in Ventura county, the elder Camarillo founded the family ranching interest in 1876, purchasing the Rancho Calleguas, one of the last remaining Spanish land grants in America.
It wasn’t until 1921 when the 57-year-old Adolpho began breeding horses after purchasing a nine-year-old Spanish Mustang stallion named Sulton at the California State Fair.
Morgan horse (left) and Spanish Mustang
Different from the American mustangs, the Spanish Mustangs were originally brought to the New World by Columbus on his second voyage. Ordered by the Spanish Crown to transport Spanish livestock to the New World, often members of the clergy established breeding farms across Mexico and much of the Caribbean.
Over the next few years, Camarillo crossed Sultan with Morgan mares. Morgans, a distinctly American breed, originated in New England, popular as carriage horses and used extensively by the cavalry during and after the Civil War.
But due to a quirk in equine genetics developing the pure white Camarillos was especially challenging, A fatal genetic colon abnormality known as the Lethal White Syndrome often results in the death of white foals within hours.
A true Camarillo
Distinguishing the breed from other white horses, is the Camarillo’s pink skin under the pure white coat. There were no other color options for Camarillos, they were white. In addition, they are distinguished by refined bodies with arched necks, expressive eyes and even temperaments.
The breed was privately owned by Camarillo’s ranch for 65 years, winning stock competitions across California for decades and appearing with their colorfully costumed riders in parades, rodeos and fiestas.
When Adolpho died in 1958 at 94, his daughter Carmen took over the breeding operation. She continued to show the famous Camarillo’s and appeared at special events. But when Carmen died in 1987, the famous Camarillo breed nearly came to an end, the remaing horses sold at public auction.
In 1992, with just 11 Camarillo’s left, a handful of owners formed the Camarillo White Horse Association. The registry requires at least one parent be from the original Sultan bloodline but relaxed requirements for bloodline of the second parent. It now includes the Spanish Andalusian and the American Standardbred, as well.
It’s unclear just how many Camarillo white horses there are today but recent social media posts indicate several foals were born in both 2017 and 2018.
The Camarillo Ranch House, 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Ventura County, California, was opened to the public in 2001. The 14-room Queen Ann style Victorian sits on a four and a half-acre site which includes a large barn, and gardens. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Used extensively as a special events venue, the ranch foundation also sponsors house tours 12 noon to , Saturday through Monday. A $5 donation is suggested and proceeds support the preservation of the ranch and grounds. Pets are allowed on the grounds but must remain on a leash and, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted inside the house. For more information go to camarilloranchfoundastion.org, e-mail info@camarilloranch.org or call (805) 389-8182.
© Text Only – 2018 – Headin’ West LLC – All photos – public domain or fair use.
*Head On West strives for historic accuracy and uses a number of sources considered reliable. When research differs on significant facts, the various points of view will be cited.