Camarillo White Horses

A place for those who love the Camarillo White Horses to keep up to date on current events and to share photos and stories.

All Camarillo White Horses trace back to a single foundation sire, a white stallion named Sultan,born in 1912 that Camarillo would latter describe as a "Stallion of a dream." Camarillo found Sultan at the 1921 California State Fair in Sacramento being shown by the Miller & Lux cattle ranch. Camarillo purchased Sultan and the pair went on to win many championships throughout California.

Camarillo bred Sultan to Morgan mares at the Camarillo Ranch, developing a line of horses privately owned and bred by the Camarillo family for the next 65 years. Upon Mr. Camarillo’s death in 1958, Adolfo’s daughter Carmen took over the horse breeding operation. She continued to show the horses at parades and events for the enjoyment of the people of Ventura County until her death in 1987, when, according to her wishes, the horses were sold at public auction, ending the family tradition.

In 1989, five individuals decided to regroup the horses for public performances. By 1991, when only 11 horses remained, it became apparent the breed could die out, and the idea for an association began. In 1992, the Camarillo White Horse Association was formed. The Association was formed when it became apparent that the historic breed of horse so carefully bred and developed by Adolfo Camarillo was in danger of extinction. As these horses are almost exclusively found in Ventura County, CA, it was imperative to bring the owners together to encourage the continuation of these horses that came so very to only being a page in history.

Since the founding of the Association, almost 20 years ago the number of these horses has increased by 20. The Association encourages its members to breed their white horses to strengthen the traits of the Camarillo White Horses while maintaining the image of the original stallion Sultan, and to also develop and preserve a horse suitable for not only general riding, driving, etc. but which will step proudly down a parade route. The Association’s motto is, "Breed for conformation and pray for a white foal."