The P.R.E. - A Thousand Plus Years in the Making
Their beauty, presence and sheer athletic ability have captivated the hearts of men for thousands of years. In fact, man’s love affair with the Pura Raza Española (Pure Spanish Horse or P.R.E.) can be dated to prehistoric time. Cave paintings depicting Iberian horses and dating to 20,000 B.C. have been discovered in southern Spain.
Once unrivaled war horses and the darlings of European royalty, the P.R.E. was almost condemned to being nothing more than an historical footnote due to war and political strife across the continent in the 19th Century. Like its predecessors in the Renaissance, the P.R.E. horse re-emerged and redefined itself in the 20th Century.

Several P.R.E. horses gained international recognition in dressage in the mid-1990s. It started with Evento and Ignacio Rambla, who achieved worldwide fame by being the first P.R.E. to successfully represent Spain in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Then Invasor and Rafael Soto, head trainer of the Spanish Riding School, competed in three Olympics, showed at four European Championships and finished in the top 10 in both the World Equestrian Games in Jerez in 2002 and in the Athens Olympics in 2004. More recently, Kristina Harrison-Naness, who represented the United States for team gold at the 2003 Pan-American Games, rode P.R.E. stallion Rociero XV in the 2007 Dressage World Cup Grand Prix Invitational.
Rambla, Soto, Harrison-Naness and many others have all done their part to put the P.R.E. back on the dressage world’s radar. But with less than 4,000 registered P.R.E. horses in the U.S. today the P.R.E. is still a rare breed. However, groups like the Pura Raza Española Marketing Organization (P.R.E.M.O.) are striving to increase that number and to educate and promote the many uses of the Pure Spanish Horse.

Get out Your Maracas, It's Fiesta Time
“Everyone is passionate about their breed, but what we have found with the Spanish horse is that it’s the rare combination of their traits that makes them outstanding,” explains Barbara Currie, chairman of the board for the Foundation for the Pura Raza Española and member of P.R.E.M.O. “They are elegant, proud and athletic, yet gentle enough that a rank amateur can ride a stallion. There is no doubt P.R.E.s excel in dressage, but that is only part of what they can do.”
While the P.R.E.’s popularity as a dressage horse has skyrocketed in the last 20 years, Barbara says it’s not surprising they are emerging as the mount of choice for adult amateurs in other disciplines – carriage, eventing, western pleasure, jumping…the list goes on and on.
P.R.E.M.O. and the Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse plan to use their first show of the season in Southern California, Fiesta California in Temecula, April 24-26, to showcase the versatility of the P.R.E. This is only the show’s second year in Temecula, but over 90 horses showed up for the inaugural event in 2007, and Barbara expects it will be equally popular this year. Once again the show will be following the Spanish rules and D. Florencio Moreno will be flying in from Spain to officiate.
The best part of the show isn’t the colorful ribbons, impressive trophies or victory laps; instead many exhibitors consider the highlight of the Fiesta to be the grand exhibition held Friday evening. Following the traditions set forth by the Spanish Riding School and other classical schools of equitation in Europe, Friday’s exhibition will feature a number of acts celebrating the Pure Spanish Horse including Spanish riding disciplines, high school, long line and airs above the ground.
P.R.E.M.O. members Lanys and Graham Kaye-Eddie of Gremlan Farms, Glenn and Sharon Hittner of Blue Moon Ranch, Armando Miranda of Hacienda Miranda, Ellen and John Mooney of El Dorado P.R.E., Linda and Richard Nickerson of Snowy Peaks Ranch and of course, Barbara and Malcolm Currie of Oak Hill, will all be doing their part to make this year’s Fiesta California better than ever. Not only will they be showing their own P.R.E. horses, as all the members of P.R.E.M.O. are active breeders and exhibitors, they will also be out and about answering questions and possibly taking part in Friday’s presentation.

Coming To America
In a millennium, the role of the P.R.E. horse has changed numerous times and every generation has tweaked the breed to fit their purposes.
The father of modern horsemanship and celebrated Greek cavalry officer, Xenophon, praised the courage, agility and athletic ability of the Iberian horses. Once celebrated as the world’s greatest war horse, the ancestors of today’s Pura Raza Española horses carried many of history’s greatest warriors into battle.
King Felipe II of Spain is credited with the creation of the modern P.R.E. He ordered the refining of the breed, which at that time was used mainly for ranch work. King Filipe wanted to create the perfect horse, as defined in the classical text dating as far back as Xenophon’s writings. The horse was meant to meet the standards of beauty for the Baroque period, to be noble, proud and gentle – fit for a king to ride.
As the reputation of the modern P.R.E. grew, they became known as the “royal horse of Europe.” P.R.E. horses were presented to every royal court across Europe including Austria, France, Italy and Germany.
In honor of the 100 years the Spanish military managed the P.R.E. stud book, the Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse Association will be hosting the first of four revisions in 2008, after the Fiesta California, April 27-28.
The P.R.E. stud book is maintained by the Jefatura de Cria Caballar, a division of the Spanish Department of Defense. All P.R.E. horses born of registered P.R.E. parents are eligible to be inscribed in the genealogical records. They must have DNA verification of parentage, and an authorized veterinarian must micro-chip them and fill out the Certificado
de Cubricion.
However, a horse is not eligible to breed until it passes revisions. The process of revision involves the Cria Caballar determining whether or not mares and stallions meet the minimum size, quality, transmissible faults and breed fidelity standards. When a horse passes, the Cria will mark on the inscription papers Apto or Apta, signifying that he or she passed.
Apto is for stallions and Apta is
for mares.
“The quality of the horses in the United States has improved phenomenally because of the help of the military men and the rigorous nature of this exam,” says Barbara. “We have had their help since 1994 and they have helped eliminate many faults that were trendy in passed times, such as paddling and fallen crest. Now that we have knocked off the big faults, we’re starting to get very picky. Frankly, almost everyone will pass revisions now, because we have gotten into the second generation of horses to have been through the exam.”

Hosting revisions is just one of several ways the Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse, and their sister organizations like P.R.E.M.O., are working to promote the breed and help P.R.E. breeders flourish in today’s tough market. Another recent perk, the F.P.S.H. has launched the Book of Merits online. Now breeders, owners and general enthusiasts can check out how their stallion, mares and their get are doing on the Foundation’s website.
The P.R.E. has proven its competitive ability over and over again, wining admirers and capturing additional hearts across the nation. Perhaps the best quality of the Pure Spanish Horse is their willingness to work with his less than perfect human companion. “They love the show ring,” says Barbara. “But really it’s because they are people horses. They may be proud and regal, but are not high maintenance. They are perfectly content to be weekend only horses. They just love being with their people.”
Brief descriptions and contact information for all P.R.E.M.O. members follows below. Please visit the Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse online, www.prehorse.org, for more information on Fiesta California and revisions.

Glenn and Sharon Hittner
Blue Moon Ranch, Gavilan Hills, CA
951-789-6873 or 951-789-4464
sghittner@earthlink.net
www.bluemoonandalusians.com
Glenn and I fell in love with the Pura Raza Española Horse (the P.R.E.), one of the most ancient breeds in the world, at first sight. The qualities that attracted us to this most revered breed in equine history: their nobility, strength, natural forward movement, and most of all, their willingness to work. The P.R.E. horse has won our hearts just as they will win your heart. Come share in the magic; visitors are always welcome at the Blue Moon Ranch.
We are dedicated to promoting these horses and assisting in achieving a higher standard within our industry. We have maintained a committed effort in bringing expertise and guidance from top professionals in their fields to meet this end.
Blue Moon Ranch provides P.R.E. stallion breeding services to the dressage community with the highest degree of industry standards. Our stallions have been selected on the basis of character, athleticism, versatility and pedigree. We are proud to be able to participate in the newest registry for the P.R.E. Horse, “P.R.E. Mundial,” (see story page 38) an International Registry for P.R.E. horses.
In this upcoming show season, we will be showing both our stallion Feudal VIII and our mare Deseada XCVI on the Open circuit in dressage. We will look for you at dressage shows, or at the Foundation’s upcoming P.R.E. shows in Temecula and Las Vegas!

Lanys and Graham Kaye-Eddie
Gremlan Farms, Bakersfield, CA
661-204-1190
gremlan@pacbell.net
www.gremlanfarms.com
A memorable trip to Spain led to our first purchase and importation of a Spanish stallion, Regalado II, in 1979. Coming with that marvelous stallion were six special mares. With this imported band and their offspring, we found that the Spanish Horse excels not only in classical dressage, but in many disciplines, and at all levels. Our primary goal is to breed athletic and functional horses, true to Spanish type. While our great love is classical dressage, we are more concerned with a horse being able to reach its potential in whatever field might best fit, rather than forcing him into a mold in which he is not comfortable.
We have been at our present location since 1980. We stand outside stallions for our clients; we share information gained in our studies of conformation and breed type; and we are proud to protect the breed standard and develop recognition for this national treasure of Spain. We continue to import horses as well as breed from our own stock. Although these phenomenal horses are our treasures, we are owned as much by them and their noble and forgiving spirits, as they are owned by us.
We invite you to visit us on our website, or to make a trip to Bakersfield to meet these enchanted creatures.

Armando Miranda
Hacienda Miranda, Norco, CA
714-245-7500 or 714-920-4969
amiranda@cbelite.net
The passion for horses runs in my family and happily at Hacienda Miranda you will find three generations of the Miranda family working with and enjoying the P.R.E. We are proud of our breeding program which consistently produces champions, in the show ring as well as in parades, charreadas, and in the hearts of those who now own our stock. We have imported horses from Spain and Mexico to form the basis of our Hacienda – horses which fit both the classical mold of excellence while adding the “extra” of exciting colors.
Our horses are bred for temperament, breed correctness, beauty and, above all, are honored for their athletic abilities. We are proud to have served with The Foundation, offering our Hacienda as a site for clinics, seminars and meetings – all designed to increase the knowledge and awareness of our breed. We regularly outreach to all Southern California communities and all riding disciplines to show how the P.R.E. will be a good match for whatever riding style or lifestyle the new owner might have.
We invite you to visit us at the upcoming Foundation horse show in Temecula. We would be honored to share our passion for the horses and pleased to give you an opportunity to spend time with this magnificent breed – and the special treasures of Hacienda Miranda! See you in Temecula!

Ellen and John Mooney
El Dorado P.R.E., Camino, CA
530-644-3776
johnellenmooney@yahoo.com
www.eldoradoandalusians.com
El Dorado P.R.E., established in 2001 is located on 10 scenic, landscaped acres at Crystal Gardens in the historic town of Camino in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountain range in Northern California. We are committed to breeding Pure Spanish Horses of excellence and quality.
The goal of our breeding program, in addition to upholding the highest standards in breeding Pure Spanish Horses, is to create an equine athlete suitable for dressage. Our stunning mares and stallions consistently produce quality foals which are athletic, with supple and elastic movement.
Our main stallion is a genetically tested true black Sabio GF (Indiano XVIII x Salina JIM) and we are also proud to be a part of the Indiano XVIII Syndicate. Our primary mares are Santana, Kiera, Galera, Leyenda and Chada. All come from impeccable lineage and have been champions in the show ring. We have been gratified by the response of the Spanish judges to our horses, to our horses’ successes in the show ring, and by the quality of the offspring which these foundation mares and stallions have produced.
Call us, write us or visit us. We look forward to sharing our passion for the Pure Spanish Horse
with you!

Linda and Richard Nickerson
Snowy Peaks Ranch, Oakley, UT
801-694-1106
mail@snowypeaksranch.com
www.snowypeaksranch.com
Snowy Peaks Ranch, established by Richard and Linda Nickerson in 1996, is located in the town of Oakley, UT. Our goal is to produce P.R.E. horses of correct Spanish conformation with exceptional aptitude for Open dressage competition. We believe it is vitally important to verify the quality of our horses through participation in both conformation and USDF Open dressage competitions.
We are particularly proud to stand and compete our imported bay stallion Dominante XXIX. Dominante was the first stallion granted “Qualified Reproduced” status by the Cria Caballar (Spanish Stud Book) to be imported into the USA. At The Foundation’s Celebration 2005, Dominante won first place in 5-6 year old stallions in hand and best movement in that class. He also won in First Level Dressage. And, most importantly, he won the prestigious title of Campeon de la Raza, the overall Champion Stallion of the show. Dominante is in dressage training with Willy Arts at DG Bar Ranch, having produced impressive results showing in USDF Open dressage shows. Equally important, Dominante has sired a number of impressive foals which are now beginning to appear and win in the show ring themselves.
In addition to Dominante, Snowy Peaks Ranch is home to a herd of P.R.E. broodmares, many imported from Spain, and all selected for their superior conformation and athletic movement.

Barbara and Malcolm Currie
Oak Hill, Agoura, CA
818-889-2003
prehorse@pacbell.net
Adding our first P.R.E. horse to our family in 1979 was perhaps one of the greatest milestones in our life. It has led to the honor of friends around the world who share this same passion and the joy of seeing our horses every day just outside our door. Our foundation stock is imported from Spain and regularly refreshed. We work to continue the centuries-old heritage of Spain by breeding for both the conformation characteristics of form and movement, while also never forgetting the revered noble temperament. In trying to find the athletic discipline which suits each of our horse’s temperaments and abilities, we have competed in everything from dressage, Hunt Seat, Western Pleasure, Saddle Seat, parades, exhibitions and, yes, egg and spoon! The depth and breadth of talent in this breed is amazing – even more amazing is what it will do for the amateur owner. Ask us!
We are proud to be a part of The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse and strongly support its many projects in the USA including the first-ever registry in the USA for P.R.E. horses, the P.R.E. Mundial. We invite you to see our horses on our farm, in Open competition, in Foundation-sponsored events. To see one will open your heart to this magnificent breed. To ride one will change your life!