The History of the Purebred Spanish Horse
The ancestry of the Spanish (Andalusian) horse originated in Paleolithic times. During this prehistoric era there were 3 distinct groups of horses, one of which was to become the Iberian horse from the area which we now know as the southern part of the Spanish/ Portuguese peninsula.


Above: Photo in poppy field, Kent - Permission of Phil Stewart

Although the landmass was significantly different and allowed for huge migrations of horses across the continents; scientific evidence shows a genetic route can be traced to animals which carried the characteristics we now see in the modern purebred Spanish horse, or Pura Raza Espanola (P.R.E.). This is the horse which is still bred in and around the delta of the Rio Guadalquivir and whose popularity has spread worldwide.

History bears testament to three important issues which have had a constant influence on Spanish horses. There has long been a correlation between the desire to guard the strongly well-maintained bloodlines and the reverence which was paid to Spanish horses by many members of the continental Royal families. Successive warring European nations became aware of the advantages during battle of being mounted upon a nimble, athletic but ultimately brave horse.

It is known that the Visigoths succeeded the Romans into Spain and that the routes of selective breeding began around 400 a.d. In the eighth century a.d., the greatest civilizing force took place with the Muslim invasion. With 800 years of influence, the Emirs, who brought the Arab and Barb horses with them, were eager to preserve their own breeds but the indigenous horse was also revered.

When the Christian armies arrived on their heavier horses they found to their cost that they were hugely disadvantaged. Nevertheless, it was only towards the end of the Crusades which saw the invaders realizing that the noble Andalusian was without equal.

Royalty
The legendary ability of these horses spread around Europe and in 1571 Philip the Second started the first royal stud at Cordoba. With Spain on a constant war footing, great inducements were given to breeders to breed sound stock and within a short period of time the Andalusian had become a popular status symbol. Royal interest and patronage assisted the development of studs and the breed progressed into the next century with these animals being eagerly sought by Kings from other countries.

The Carthusian InfluenceSimultaneously the Carthusian monks of Jerez devoted themselves to horse breeding from the end of the 15th century and created a program which eliminated any outside influence upon their stock. Their commitment and dedication saw their horses become highly esteemed due to the inherent purity of their animals.

All breed societies recognise the absolute necessity for a studbook as a record for essentially maintaining the purity of the breed; and which creates a standard for the future. Not all the Royals at this time employed the criteria which the Carthusian monks believed would keep the blood pure; and they therefore kept rigid control over the bloodlines of the horses that they bred. They received a gift of ten thousand acres of land in Jerez which allowed them control of their own stock without outside influence. The high standards have continued at this stud even after the authority of the Monks has ceased.

Recently...
Today, a ‘Carthusian’ horse is a reference to this continuing influence which exists due to EXPASA, Agricultura y Ganaderia, a company which comes under the auspices of Spain’s State Heritage department; and which is now the proprietor of what was and still is, one of the most influential Spanish horse breeding farms – La Yeguada de la Cartuja.

The overall control of the Spanish horse stud book was, for many years, the responsibility of the Jefatura de Cria Caballar (FESCCR), a cavalry branch of the Spanish Government’s military. The strict breeding control saw delegations traveling around the world, inspecting, grading and judging Spanish horses. Gradually, the breed was becoming much more than a working and ceremonial horse and the world became acutely aware of the breed’s competition status.

A.N.C.C.E. and SICAB
Today, the governing body responsible for the administration of the Stud Book for the Purebred Spanish Horse and which is the only one officially recognised by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, has passed into the hands of A.N.C.C.E. – the National Association of Purebred Spanish Horse Breeders of Spain. They are also responsible for organising the Qualified Breeding Stock events and the Young Horse Dressage competitions.

The most important event at which the overall Championships take place is SICAB in Seville, at the Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos de Seville. This is also a yearly showcase and trade fair held during November and organised by A.N.C.C.E. Over 125 stud farms bring something in the region of 1,200 horses to compete for such prestigious prizes as the Spanish National Confirmation Championships, the ANCCE Dressage Cup and the Doma Vaquera Cup. Spectacular equestrian performances take place every evening of this 6 day show and is a ‘must see’ for anyone with even a passing interest in the Spanish horse.

Disciplines
In Spain, the prowess of the Spanish Horse is still seen in the bullfighting arena and as a working horse who can carry a man to work among his cattle stock. He is usually trained to a degree of horsemanship which can be life-saving. From this place has derived the art of Doma Vaquera – a competition in which a series of complicated movements are carried out by horse and rider and judged accordingly, similar to some ways to our dressage but way beyond the elementary level and always ridden in vaquera tack and costume with the reins held only in the left hand.

His international success in the conventional dressage arena has placed him in the equestrian limelight where he has, for some time, been seen as a serious competition horse. In the U.K. there is a number of P.R.E.’s steadily working their way up to the highest levels of dressage.

The P.R.E. is many things to many people, a show horse, a dressage horse, a hack, a driving horse, a jumping horse and a cross-country horse. Endurance riding, Le Trec, working equitation and doma vaquera are other perhaps less well-known disciplines in the U.K at which he excels. However, he will always remain a breathtakingly beautiful horse for displays; as well as a talented and versatile member of the equine family.

The Purebred Spanish Horse has the ability to enhance and empower so many other breeds of horses when his blood is introduced, but that’s another story!

Anybody owning a P.R.E. will tell you that once you have opened the door into this world of equestrianism, it is one which you will rarely ever close.

The B.A.P.S.H (British Association for the Purebred Spanish Horse)
Here in the U.K. registered studs and ownership of the P.R.E. are increasing under the auspices of the British Association for the Purebred Spanish Horse (B.A.P.S.H.). They ensure that the highest standards with respect to the breed are maintained. This is only ever possible if breeding stock is selected and graded in line with the guiding principles set down by A.N.C.C.E. and which have been carefully endorsed and adhered to for hundreds of years.