History of the PRE 

It has been suggested that  the history of  the Spanish Horse began its evolution in the Iberian Peninsula  prior to the most recent ice age. This is evidenced by palaeolithic cave drawings depicting two distinct types of horses, one in the north, with a concave profile, the other, in more southerly regions, horses with the distinct sub-convex profile we see in the breed in modern times.

 

Others suggest that the origins of the breed lie with the influences left by various peoples, both permanent and transient, who inhabited the Iberian Peninsula from ancient times, through to modern, including the Ginetes, the Romans, the Moors, the Bourbons and the Goths.

What is known and documented however, is that in the 16th century, the breed was formally established by King Phillip II who desired the creation of a horse, such as had been depicted by all forms of artistry for many centuries prior.

This horse was to be a creature of great beauty and stature, with an arched neck, elevated movement, a round croup and a long, silky mane and tail. Desired also, was a horse that no longer was merely a means of transport or beast of burden, but a living work of art who was both functional and beautiful, courageous yet docile and most importantly, worthy of being ridden by kings and into war.

 

As the breed continued to develop through the centuries, distinct lines started to emerge, many of which are still known and sought after today. Some of these include the Carthusian line, coveted and protected by the Carthusian monks of Jerez, known for their incredible beauty and extreme elevation, the Escalera line, consisting mostly of bay and black horses, that are known for their functionality and while they often have less elevation in their movement, they have more extension and impulsion and are thus sought after for the dressage arena in modern times. Other famous bloodlines include Yeguada Militar, or the Military Stud, owned and run by the Spanish government, and the Guardiola lines,  but famous for their flea-bitten as well as black coats and their notoriety of being bred in the salt marshes of the Guadalquivir River, in the south of Spain. There are many more lines of Spanish horses that have over the years developed their own unique type and style. 

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Over the past five centuries, Purebred Spanish Horse breeding has undergone a number of major moments, some of which were critical; landmark events include the French Invasion in the 19th Century, and the Industrial Revolution that stripped the horse of its agricultural purpose. Nevertheless, a milestone was reached by King Alphonse III, who created a register for the Spanish Horse. Spain’s Civil War translated into complicated years for the breed, but it has slowly re-established itself. A common European Market allowed Spain to become the third most popular tourist destination. 

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The modern Spanish Studbook (SSB), began in 1912, and although, officially under the control of the Spanish Ministry for Agriculture, it was managed and administered by the organisation FESCCR (Fondo de Explotacion de los Servicios de Cria Caballar y Remonta), often referred to by PRE owners and breeders as simply ‘Cria Caballar’, until 2007, when a change of government in Spain, ultimately led to a change of management for the Studbook, under a different organisation, known as ANCCE (Associacion Nacional de Criadores de Caballos de Pura Raza Española or in English, ‘National Association of Purebred Spanish Horse Breeders of Spain’), which is currently recognised by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, as being the official entity representing the PRE horse globally. 

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The outbreak of African Horse Sickness in 1991 forced Spanish breeders to seek alternatives to the isolation they were suffering. That was when SICAB (the International Purebred Spanish Horse Trade Fair) was launched. As the years have come and gone, SICAB has become not only a national reference, but also an international one, welcoming stud farms from more than sixty countries where PRE horses are bred, and to house the very best of the breed. 

The PRE has developed  in the modern ere to unsuspecting limits. Its extraordinary qualities have adapted to market demands, while at the same time preserving its essence. This, in turn, has allowed 
the breed to place its sights on top level competitions whilst maintaining the original vision of King Phillip II