Literally the pure race of Spain. Early horses were  thought to have crossed a pre glacial land bridge which linked Spain with north Africa later separating into two distinct hot blooded types, the Barb and the Spanish Horse– both characterised by their strength, agility and intelligence coupled with courage and trainability Sought after throughout history as the quintessential war horse,  the mighty Roman army drew over a third of their remounts from the province of Hispania and in later centuries El Cid is immortalised in powerful statues mounted on his stallion Banieca at the time of the Reconquest (from invading Moors) in the 11th century.

Brought to Britain in the form of the Norman “destrier” epitomised by the black Spanish stallion ridden by Duke William at Hastings they became popular as “Palfreys” in the later middle ages. A visit to the National portrait gallery will show them to be the “Mount of choice” for monarchs thought the ages

Records show that the Spanish horse was sort after throughout Europe to upgrade breeds – notable the Lipizzaner in 1598. For us today, the most significant use was in the 18th century when the foundation mare line from the Royal mares provided the base for the creation of the modern Thoroughbred.

From his role in the cavalry in times of warfare, the Spanish horse found his way to the Classical riding school of Europe where his ability to perform the Piaffe, Passage and Airs above the ground is unsurpassed. Today the Spanish horse is enjoying renaissance with his amiable trainable nature once more taking him into the dressage arena to compete on modern terms. Most notable when the Spanish Dressage team won the team bronze medal (with only one member of the team riding a warm blood) and Rafael Soto Andrade riding Invasor was placed 6th overall in the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez.