The Campolina breed was originated in Entre Rios de Minas-MG, at a farm named "Fazenda Tanque", owned by Cassiano Campolina (1836-1904). Mr. Campolina started his activities in 1857. However, the actual birth date of this breed is the year 1870, when he received a black mare named "Medéia" from a friend. This mare was native (Barb blood) and bred by a pure Andaluzian stallion, which belonged to Mariano Procópio, who had received it as a present from the emperor Dom Pedro II. At "Fazenda Tanque", "Medéia" gave birth to a beautiful dark gray colt, an authentic half blood Andaluzian, named "Monarca", considered the founder stallion of the Campolina breed. He served during 25 years in the herd of national mares at "Fazenda Tanque". From the beginning, Cassiano Campolina selected horses of great size, that were strong workers and had a smooth gait to travel long distances. Besides Monarca, several stallions of other breeds contributed to the genetic makeup of the Campolina breed: Menelike (Anglo-Normand breed), Golias (1/4 Clydesdale breed), Treffer (Hostein breed), Yankee Prince (American Saddle Bred), Rio Verde (Mangalarga Marchador).
In 1951 the Campolina breeders founded the Campolina National Breeders Association in Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais state, and also established the first Breed Standard.
The Campolina is a big size horse, with an average height of 16 hands. The four beat gait may be diagonal broken or lateral broken.
