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Welcome to ORIGIN P.R.E.! Breeder of Pure Spanish Horses (P.R.E. - Pura Raza Espanola)
About the P.R.E.
Pure Spanish Mare Fantasia Del C (Photo: Paco Rey)
You have seen them in movies and probably didn't even know what they
were; just that they were the most beautiful horses you have ever
seen. They have long flowing manes and tails, come in all colors but
are mostly gray or white, and have been bred for centuries to bond
with, understand and relate to humans with timeless generosity and
nobility.
They were the horses that were reserved
for use by kings, queens, and elite government officials to make them
look impressive and important. When you ride one you immediately get
the sensation that you are royalty while their smooth regular gaits
remind you of sitting on your favorite couch. In fact they are so
special you should not look at them for very long without the
protection of sunglasses! They look like a dream, they ride like a
dream, they act like a dream and you will never want to wake up. Just
being near them is a thrill. (OK, now you understand how much we really
love these horses).
P.R.E. Horses can be registered
in the P.R.E. Mundial Registry (through The Foundation for the Pure
Spanish Horse) or in the Spanish Stud Book in Spain or
both. Each will provide a carta insuring the horses' lineage and
authenticity as documentation of the horse's registration. A P.R.E. horse has to pass a physical inspection and genetic testing when
it is a foal to receive its carta in either registry. This process is
called Inscription and is usually done when the foal is still nursing
from its dam. When the horse reaches adulthood, a minimum of three
years old, it is examined again for minimum size, quality,
transmissible faults and breed fidelity. When it passes this approval
it is said to be revised, or approved for breeding or reproduction
purposes.
The History of the Pure Spanish Horse
The heritage of the Pura Raza Española (P.R.E.) contains an abundance
of tradition and culture. Its time honored elegance and harmony have
demonstrated its competence and achievement.
The Pure Spanish Horse - Strong, Agile, Beautiful, Noble in appearance
and character yet docile, easily trained and ridden is the horse we
honor today, tomorrow and always.
Tradition and Culture
The Pura Raza Española (P.R.E.) has been linked
with the history and the culture of Andalusia since time immemorial.
There are cave drawings dating back to 5,000 BC found in the caves of
Altamira and Canforos de Penarubia in northeastern Spain depicting
native horses whose body types are remarkably like today's horse. These
drawings depict the predecessors of the Pure Spanish Horse. Originally
used in warfare, as a means of transport and for other work, the
industrial revolution changed his role to that of man's companion in
sport and leisure activities, in which he is one of the leaders in the
Andalusian region. The Pure Spanish Horse has been an integral part of
Spain from its beginnings and contributes much to our better knowledge
and understanding of its landscape, customs and people.
The Pure Spanish Horse was unified as a breed in the sixteenth century
(between 1567 and 1593) by the Spanish King Felipe II who formally
established the standards for the breed which we recognize today as the
Pure Spanish Horse. During these years King Felipe II decided to bring
to life the universally idealized horse which has been so long pictured
in history, in bronze, in paintings. He looked at the basic horse bred
in Spain, selected the best of those examples which came closest to the
idealized animal he desired, and directed that the idealized horse be
produced. Concurrent with his breeding program, the humanistic approach
was spreading through Spain and the teachings of the ancient Greek
Xenophon were put into practice for the treatment and training of these
carefully bred horses.
While the historical use of the Pure Spanish Horse in Spain was first
as a farm horse to work with the brave bulls destined for the bull
rings, it was also the horse which carried its lords into battle and
equally proudly carried them in their moments of triumph as a parade
horse. The Pure Spanish Horse is still used in Spain to fight in the
bull ring and still used to work stock on the farms, and of course, is
considered one of the national treasures of Spain, an inheritance
handed from father to son through generations. The horse is used in
dressage competitions, in competitive driving as single horse or
four-horse hitch, and in the discipline distinctly Spanish, the Doma
Vaquera - formalized as the show ring version of farm work, most
closely related to a reining pattern with combined dressage elements.
In the USA, we don't have bull fights, but the Pure Spanish Horse has
been found to be adept at all the disciplines one would expect:
dressage, hunt seat, saddle seat, western pleasure, parades, trail, and
certain of our horses even excel as open jumpers. Their conformation
hints at their capabilities: strong boned legs, good slope to the
shoulder, deep heart-girth, round powerful haunches. The classically
beautiful head of a Pure Spanish Horse is unique and an instant
identifier of its breed. One can read the history in their large oval
eyes inside a triangular-shaped orbital arch and can imagine strength
for extended efforts in the inverted comma-shaped nostrils which expand
downward to bring in large quantities of air. And of course there are
the unique racial characteristics in the shape and dexterity of the
upper lip, the sensitivity of the mouth and the point of the chin.
In Andalusia, where most of the Pure Spanish Horses are bred, the Pura
Raza Española horse predominates. It is the heir of the Cartujano
horse, which attracted the admiration of Kings and became the preferred
mount of Royalty and the Cavalry. This horse made its second official
appearance in the USA in the late 1960s (the first having been in the
cargo holds of the voyages of the Conquistadores beginning with second
voyage of Christopher Columbus). The process of importation was
difficult and costly; the population grew slowly, having only recently
reached the 5,000 mark of Pure Spanish Horses in the USA.
Elegance and Harmony
The Pura Raza Española (P.R.E) has a singular and
unquestionable beauty marked by large eyes that express a great
vivacity. The characteristic feature of its beauty, however, is its
thick mane which endows it with a unique elegance. The most outstanding
attribute of the Pure Spanish Horse is, without any doubt, its
temperament for even though it is certainly a very docile animal, and
easily handled, not only when it is in training but also in its rest
periods, at the same time it displays a vigorous and sedate character
with an excellent capacity for obedience. All this, together with its
beauty, makes it an ideal horse for riding, which is why it is in so
much demand as a "horse of pleasure".
Competence and Achievement
In 2002, the Pura Raza Española (P.R.E.) horse's potential in
competitive dressage was secured when the Spanish team, including two
(2) P.R.E. mounts, scored the silver medal. Success on this scale calls
for celebration. In between and since these milestones, the P.R.E..'s
popularity has escalated. Demand from the international and American
dressage communities is growing exponentially. There is equal zeal for
this breed from equestrians whose only ambition is to have a great
horse to ride and enjoy. Thanks to its athletic ability, even
temperament, sturdy yet refined conformation and remarkable beauty, the
Pura Raza Española fulfills many dreams.
This breed, which enjoys a great prestige already, each year, acquires
a greater number of admirers throughout the world in Spain and in
Europe in general: people who defend and support the growing
recognition of this beautiful and noble beast which is our Pura Raza
Española (P.R.E).
Perhaps the best quality of the Pure Spanish Horse is the willingness
to work with his less than perfect human companion - the nobility and
grace with which he participates joyfully in anything requested by his
rider. From the drawings in the caves where early man was shown leading
the prototype Spanish horse to today, the Pure Spanish Horse has been
known and respected for its submission to the aids and the assistance
he offers his weekend rider. The Pure Spanish Horse is truly a horse
which can offer its best qualities to his rider, even after days with
no exercise.
(From The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse www.prehorse.org)
Origin P.R.E.
Sarah C. Shechner
7442 Moorcroft Ave
Canoga Park, CA 91303
(Los Angeles Area)
(310) 909-9399 mobile
sarah@originpre.com
