Andalusianworld magazine april 2014 by HRCS

ANDALUSIANMWa gORLD a z i ne FOALING SEASON

April 2014 Issue 2

Tips for Selling Horses The Spiral of Training Caring for Long Manes Dale Chavez Interview The Hispano Arabe Historical Sires Hoof Care Color 101 and more...

The Ultimate Source for the Iberian Horse! 1

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World Cup Vegas Update Youth Spotlight Working Equitation: Building Partnership Inside the Seminar on Working Equitation Star of the Clinic Dale Chavez: Man behind the Saddle Travel & Destination A Brief History of Horse Shoes Hoof Cracks The Hispano Arabe Andalusian Adventure Part 2 Historical Sires Amateur Spotlight Preparing for Disaster DISASTER PREPARATION CHECKLIST Reasons to Sell Your Horse This Spring Tips for Selling Horses In Spring & Summer Breed Show Classes MARKETING 101 Does your Horse need to see a Specialist? Headstalls A Night in Golega Iberian Horse Colors 101 Events Tournament of Kings: Part 2 The Spiral of Training Stallion Showcase Caring for Long Manes Sales Horse Spotlight Collection

AndalusianWorld.com is a website dedicated to the Iberian Breeds worldwide; providing news, information, and live broadcasting of events. AndalusianWorld is not affiliated with any one association or organization, but strives to provide up-to-date breed information and news.

On the Cover: Obelisco MAC & Destiny 4

AndalusianWorld

(805) 467-7325 P.O. Box 56708 Riverside, CA 92517 Publisher/Editor Amber Lentz Asst. Editor Katherine Edwards Design/Photographer Kevin Kidder Advertising Sales Contribute a Story Add Event Have a comment or suggestion? (We would love to hear it)

Contributors Julie Alonzo Bonnie Walker Steve Kutie Antonio Topete Diaz Julia Erickson Lori Jespersen Sean Lorenzana Anne Nanej Barbara Price

Highlights

YOUTH SPOTLIGHT

KEEGAN O’BRIEN

A trip to IALHA Nationals

It is just about that time again! The snow drifts are melting, foals are hitting the ground, and horses are shedding. That can only mean one thing: Show season is right around the corner. en t th

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All Iberian horses (pure and partbred) with papers are welcome to compete in the Andalusian World Cup. Be sure to follow our facebook page and online news feed for the latest information.

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The Inaugural Andalusian World Cup show in Las Vegas (Sept 25-27), is shaping up nicely to become the LARGEST Iberian show in US history. The combination of the ANCCE sanctioned Feria del Caballo, the Andalusian World Cup, and Working Equitation classes have drawn international interest with breeders coming from as far as Spain and Mexico.

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This year’s show circuit has some new and exciting adventures in store!

SPIRAL OF TRAINING

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For most of us, this is what we live for: The bond between horse and rider, the show “family”, and all that goes with it (except perhaps the living on chips and soda part).

BONNIE WALKER

Creating a solid foundation in your training program

SADDLE MAN

DALE CHAVEZ

The man behind the world’s favorite show saddle

SPOTLIGHT

STALLIONS AT STUD AndalusianWorld Stallions

IBERIAN HORSE

COAT COLORS 101 It’s not all Black & White

The economy has been tough on us all, but the dedication and persistence has brought with it an up turn in sales, new participants, and the return of some great ranches. This is our year to shine, so dust off those saddle pads and lets go have some fun!

~Kevin

World Cup Vegas Update UPDATE For those of you who haven’t heard, AndalusianWorld is co–hosting the Feria del Caballo Español National Show & Andalusian World Cup Show, September 25-27 2014. It is already being hailed as the largest Iberian horse show outside of Spain or Portugal. We have some exciting news for our exhibitors – we welcome Dale Chavez as a title sponsor! Not only will the winners of Championship Classes win a custom belt buckle, the Supreme Champion Western Pleasure will be receiving a Dale Chavez western show saddle! In our Working Equitation division (open to all breeds of horses), the highest scoring horse & rider team will walk away with a new saddle, courtesy of Iberian Connection. All Supreme Championship classes (10 entries or more) will be eligible to win $500.00 prize money for first place – this is in addition to a championship ribbon and trophy. In true Vegas style, all entries in the Championship Classes will qualify for a draw to win prizes from Cowboy Magic, Platinum Performance or prize from one of our many other wonderful sponsors! Championship classes offer prize money, championship ribbons, and random draw prizes, so come try your luck in Vegas! Classes offered include: A full slate of ANCCE Morphology Classes (Feria del Caballo Español), Andalusian World Cup Halter and Performance Classes with Purebred, Lusitano and Half Iberian Classes and Working Equitation (open to all breeds). This show offers something for every level of competitor with classes for amateurs, professionals and youth. Although for the Feria del Caballo Español classes, horses must be registered with ANCCE, the Working Equitation is open to all breeds and Andalusian World Cup classes are open to horses registered with any recognized Iberian registry. It doesn’t matter if your horse is registered with ANCCE, PRE Mundial (Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse), IALHA, Azteca, PSL...you are welcome to join us!

Sept 25-27, 2014

Sponsorship information is now available; we have put together very attractive packages, some of which include vendor space and live broadcast commercial ads as part of the sponsorship. Take this opportunity to give your ranch or business the exposure afforded by this new and exciting show! So far, we have competitors who have committed to attending from all over the US, Mexico and Spain, making this the “don’t miss” show of the season. The prize list for the show will be available by mid – May, please check the AndalusianWorld website and Facebook page regularly for updates!

We would like to thank our Sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities are limited, so please get your sponsorship in early to avoid dissapointment! Click HERE for more information!

Youth Spotlight

Keegan O’Brien Keegan O’Brien is a seventeen year old from East Troy, Wisconsin who has been riding since she was five years old. She competed at the 2013 IALHA National Show with Dulcineya and Diva G. Her favorite discipline is dressage and we look forward to seeing her show for years to come!

Q: Was this your first time attending the IALHA National Show? If not, how many times have you attended? A: Yes this was the first time I was able to attend the IALHA National Horse Show!

Q: What was your favorite moment of this year’s National Show?

A: My favorite moment definitely would have been when I rode in the exhibition on Saturday night. I was so nervous, I didn’t really know what the crowd would be expecting but when the music started and we entered the ring that’s all I could do was smile, it was so much fun and the crowd helped me so much to get over my fear and enjoy the moment!

Q: Who is your favorite horse? Why? A: My favorite horse is without a doubt Dulcineya. She is such a hard worker and she tries so hard. Once she realized that she could trust me I truly felt that she would have done anything I would have asked her to. She helped me so much to get over some of my show ring fears, and it was so fun to help her to be her very best!

Q: Is it hard for you to find a balance between riding and school? How often do you get to ride during the school year? A: I have been so lucky normal days work out

with school, my parents have allowed me to be Home-schooled for high school, so my pretty well. I meet with my tutor in the morning, and I’m typically in the saddle right

after lunch. I ride and work in the barn all afternoon and sometimes have to pick up my school again at night depending on the day. Normal “homework” kinds of things.

Q: What has been your most embarrassing/silliest moment at a show? A: Well I think my most embarrassing/silliest moments are actually two very different moments in time. My most embarrassing moment was a couple years ago at a huge National Championships my horse decided that the show should have ended the day before and he refused to go down centerline for my dressage test. It was so sad to have worked so hard to prepare for that moment only to be DQ’d. But, it reminded me that the horses are athletes too, with their own minds and concerns, and we have to work within their comfort levels also, not just our own :) My silliest moment was definitely when 3 of my friends and I competed in a dressage show for teams and we won the gold medal. When we did our victory lap, we wore Hawaiian lei’s around our necks and the horses had huge lei’s too, because our team was called the Tikki Trotters so our decorations all weekend had been Hawaiian themed. It was a super fun show!!

Q: Is there anything that horse shows can do to make your show experience better? A: I think that the best thing a horse show can do for all exhibitors is to have a great announcer, and a great ring steward. I can’t believe what a huge difference it makes when you can hear what the announcer is saying and also when the ring steward is giving you lots of time updates so you always know exactly where things are at.

Q: Do you have any advice for other youth riders? A: The one thing I would love to tell other youth riders is if you have a goal or a dream, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t achieve it. If you really truly want to accomplish something, no matter how bad the odds seem stacked against you, just hang on, believe in yourself because you can persevere and overcome the odds. The horse world definitely teaches us what we’re made of. And above all else, try to remember to have fun!!

Q: How do you feel the level of competition was this year in the youth classes? A: I guess I don’t really feel like I can compare the level of competition since I’ve never been to this show before, however, I thought there were many very good riders in my youth classes.

Q: Did you win any titles this year? If so, which ones? A: Yes, I did win a few titles at the National Show. Besides the National Championship Titles we won, I was also awarded the High Point Youth English Trophy and the High Point Youth Trophy and the High Point Amateur Trophy. Dulcineya was super amazing this year!!

Q: What are your plans for the future? A: In the future I plan to continue my dressage training working towards riding the Grand Prix in the next two years. My long term goals include becoming a dressage trainer and someday riding in the Olympics. “Thank you so much for letting me share my IALHA Nationals experiences with you. I really enjoyed all the people that I met in Texas, everyone was so welcoming and supportive. I had so much fun at Nationals and I never would have had the opportunity to go without the support and encouragement of Kim and Ken David, the owners of Dulcineya!!!” 11

by Julie Alonzo

As a former gymkhana, NATRC (competitive trail), and endurance racing competitor as well as a lifelong horseperson, I have to admit that I was intrigued by Working Equitation the first time I heard about it, almost a decade ago now. At the time, I was serving on the Andalusian/Lusitano committee for the United States Equestrian Federation, and we were tasked with drafting rules to bring the sport to this country. The process of helping to draft, edit, revise, and re-draft rules for working equitation was not always fun, but it was consistently rewarding. Many, many people have contributed to the effort to introduce the sport to the United States, and, it’s great to see all the hard work paying off now, as Working Equitation continues to increase in popularity all across the US, as well as internationally. With its foundation firmly centered in the classical horsemanship approaches so prevalent in the equestrian com-munities in the four Southern European nations where the sport was invented (Portugal, Italy, France, and Spain) and an eye on making the sport enjoyable for horses, human competitors, and spectators alike, Working Equitation offers something for just about anyone. And, unlike most equestrian sports in the United States, Working Equitation welcomes a variety of tack and attire. So long as the horse’s tack and the rider’s attire are from a single tradition, they can be working western, dressage, hunt seat, traditional Portuguese or Spanish, Australian stock horse, Charro, etc. Competitors show in the same tack/attire in all phases of the competition.

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Competitions begin with a Dressage trial (called Functionality in the USEF AL rules), where horse and rider are judged on the quality with which they complete a series of specified movements, including riding straight lines and circles at all three gaits, halting squarely, and reining back without resistance, and (in levels beyond the most basic) performing lateral movements such as leg yields and half passes, as well as flying lead changes and canter pirouettes. The second phase, Ease of Handling, requires horse and rider to maneuver around and through a variety of obstacles, demonstrating the quality of their gaits, transitions, symmetry, and balance. In particular, the horse should demonstrate collection, impulsion, and a willingness to move forward while maintaining calmness and responding to the rider’s cues without resistance. Obstacles are also used in the third phase: Speed. The key difference between the Ease of Handling and the Speed phase is what is judged. Whereas style and way of going are of paramount importance in Ease of Handling, the Speed phase is a timed event, with the fastest time placing highest. In team competitions, a fourth phase, the Cow Trial, is added. In this phase, teams of three to four move cattle, one at a time, from a holding area, across the arena, and into a secondary pen. Like the Speed phase, the Cow Trial is a timed event. The growing popularity of the sport, of course, comes with some challenges. One of the biggest challenges someone new to the sport faces is keeping track of the slight variations that exist in the rules used by the different groups offering working differ equitation competitions. In time, it is likely that we will see more unification across the different groups (as we saw earlier this year when WE-USA announced the decision to merge with WEIAUSA, with WEIAUSA agreeing to honor the legacy of WE-USA membership and carry com on the Florida-based group’s good work in promoting the sport). For now, however, competitors should be sure to ask what rules a given competition is being run under, and they should study those rules to be sure they are familiar with the nuances. Although the basics behind each set of rules are largely the same, some obstacles allowed under the USEF AL and USFWE rules (such as lasso a target, drag an object, and move dif a sack) are not used in either the WEIAUSA or WAWE rules. There are also some differences in the terms used for the different levels of competition and in the specific patterns used for the dressage/ functionality phase. Again, these are more surface-level differences, really. As you read through the different sets of rules, you will find that there are much more similarities than there are differences. 14

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For people who want to learn more about the sport, WEIAUSA offers a variety of educational opportunities, including demonstrations, introductory clinics, more advanced ridersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; seminars, in-depth judge training and licensing, schooling shows, and recognized competitions. Membership in WEIAUSA is open to all people interested in the sport, and all breeds are welcome at WEIAUSA comcom petitions. You can learn more about Working Equitation at www.WEIAUSA.com

About the author Vice Chair of Working Equitation International Association of the United States of America (WEIAUSA) and co-founder of Working Equitation Oregon, LLC, a state affiliate of WEIAUSA, Julie Alonzo has competed in Working Equitation events in both the United States and Canada. She has shared her passion for the event in introductory clinics in California, Oregon, Washington, and Texas and co-wrote Working Equitation: An Introduction with Bruce W. Menke, foundfound er of Working Equitation Texas, LLC. With her colleagues at WEIWEI AUSA and beyond, Julie regularly helps to organize more advanced clinics with international experts in Working Equitation here in the United States.

More on Working Equitation WAWE, or World Association for Working Equitation, is the inter international governing body for working equitation on a global scale. There are 12 different countries on both sides of the Atlantic recognized by WAWE, and the list is growing. WAWE held and organized the first ever World Championship in Working Equitation in 2002, and continues to hold a World Championship each year. For more information, please visit: http://www.wawe-official.com/ 15

Inside the Seminar on Working Equitation Judging Techniques by Barbara Price

A varied group of working equitation enthusiasts convened at Haras dos Cavaleiros in A varied group of working equitation enthusiasts convened at Haras dos Cavaleiros in Magnolia, Texas March 12-16 for an intensive seminar on judging Working Equitation sponsored by Working Equitation International Association of the USA (WEIAUSA). Judges, trainers, riders and breeders came from across the country for the opportunity to learn from one of the sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top international judges, Dr. Claudia Elsner Matos. Ms. Matos, the responsible judge designated by WAWE (World Association for Working Equitation) for the training of international Working Equitation judges, traveled from Portugal to conduct the seminar. The judging techniques seminar was an intensive, full five days of academic and practical working equitation instruction. Topics covered ranged from the origin and organizations behind the sport, judging responsibilities, elements of competitions, and comprehensive coverage of the four phases of Working Equitation: Dressage Trial, Ease of Handling Trial, Speed Trial and Cow Trial. The initial days included many hours of video examples, followed by on-the-spot evaluations by Ms. Matos and participants. The final two days of the seminar were focused on developing an eye for actual judging of the sport, culminating with participants judging live trials (Dressage, Ease of Handling & Speed), and taking an inclusive written test. It was a challenging course, requiring participants to not only be well versed on the rules and best-practice techniques of Working Equitation, but also to demonstrate their ability to quickly and accurately judge the trials and articulate their conclusions to the group. After successful completion of the clinic, three participants were awarded U.S. Judge licenses, and four others were award Learner Judge licenses. The U.S. Judges are licensed to officiate at WEIAUSA Recognized and Schooling competitions within the United States (except Championship level), and Learner judges are licensed to judge WEIAUSA Schooling competitions within the United States. U.S. Judge Licenses: Doreen Atkinson (Texas), Wayne Hipsley (Kentucky), Michael Vermaas (Texas). Learner Judge Licenses: Leslie Cummings (Texas), Jill Glasspool Malone (Georgia), Barbara Price (California), Terri Watts (Texas).

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Dr. Claudia Elsner Matos, WAWE international judge and trainer from Portugal, combined many hours of classroom instruction with Working Equitation videos from a variety of European competitions.

Star of the Charlotte’s British accent rang out clearly across the vast expanse in the Equidome at LAEC; “That was terrible... do it again”, “What are you doing with the whip up there? Do you need the whip? No? Then why do you have it?”, “Sit on your bum” “You are fibbing when you say he isn’t stiff to the left because I can see it”. And while a rider was cantering , “You’re doing rising trot”! Riders were treated to honest help on March 8-9 at a Symposium held at LAEC with Charlotte Dujardin. This marks Charlotte’s first symposium in the U.S, and judging by the enthusiastic response from the riders and auditors, was surely not to be her last.

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accomplished riders was stellar, and they were both able to give good insight in to how to bring the best out of each horse and rider in participation. The riders were challenged to raise the bar by a demanding, but fair instructor. At times, her sense of humor had the audience of several hundred in stitches as she recounted tales of forgetting tests, riding “cheeky” horses, and joking with the riders. Although lighthearted at times, her message was clear: do not compromise.

There were several talented riders who participated in Charlotte was a double gold medalist in the 2012 London the symposium, including Hilda Gurney, Kristina Harrison-Antell, Jaye Cherry and Mette Rosencrantz, among Olympic Games aboard Valegro, and holds three world records in dressage. Quite an accomplishment for this 27 others. However, Leslie Reid and her 8 year old PRE Andalusian, Kobal CEN where undeniably the stars of this year old, who started her dressage career as a groom at Carl Hester’s in 2007. Just 5 short years later, she was an symposium. Olympic star and world record breaker. Kobal was one of only two horses Charlotte chose to ride in the symposium, and she rode him on the Joining in was Judy Harvey, an accomplished first day, after seeing him go on Friday. Charlotte rider and judge, who was Charlotte’s remarked how easy and comfortable he was to former coach. The combination of these two ride, and that she would like to take him home in her suitcase after riding him. She had very nice things to say about Leslie as well, remarking, “It is a tribute to Leslie’s training that a strange rider can get on and do the changes, I can just sit and swing, and off he goes. His trainability is fantastic” Leslie remarked that she felt honored that Charlotte chose to ride him.

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The second day of the clinic saw Leslie on Kobal, working to perfect the piaffe and passage. Charlotte remarked “normally, a horse his age would be considered rather young to be doing this kind of work, but he just handles everything so well and has the strength to do it. He has also had correct training, which makes it easier for him”. Near the conclusion of the symposium (Leslie was the last rider), Charlotte said tongue-in-cheek “Well... right then... his plane leaves at 10:10 tonight”. Although it was not the first time Charlotte has ridden an Andalusian, we do believe we have a new fan of the breed!

Leslie and Kobal CEN Leslie Reid, a three time Olympian, representing Canada and certified level III coach, began her quest for a PRE horse after an introduction to the breed with Mystique’s Manolete (By Sandokan), with whom she competed through Can3rd level. She is based out of Langley, British Columbia, Can ada at Top Fox Equestrian Center. Her search for the perfect PRE Andalusian eventually took her to Spain, where she found Kobal, a then 3 year old. He had barely been started under saddle, but Leslie saw in him the qualities she knew she wanted in her quest for an upper level partner. She and Kobal are currently competing at Intermediate II, and their path to Grand Prix stardom is already apparent. We hope to see them represent both Canada and the Andalusian breed at the Olympic level in the future.

The Man behind the Saddle If you are watching a Western Pleasure class in any given A rated or “Main Ring” horse show, whether you’re watching Andalusians, Morgans, Arabians, Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, Paints, and more, chances are there are several entries completely decked out in a sparkling Dale Chavez tack ensemble. “Dale Chavez” is practically a household name among equestrians. Certainly he is a household name among the show horse enthusiasts and unapologetic lovers of unique and wellmade tack. If you haven’t heard of him until now, you are in for a treat. Dale Chavez is of course the world-renown Western show saddle maker, noted time and again for the quality and decadence of his tack, as well as his keen ability to innovate and try new things. As a result, Dale has been in business about 40 years, and his business expands every year to include new breeds and products. The classic All-American self made man, Dale’s shop is located in Temecula, California, an area well know for its rich Californio history, fine horseflesh and vineyards. Despite his love for horses as a teenager, Dale attended university, earning a degree in biological sciences and Chemistry, with the intention of becoming a dentist. Fate, howev however, had other plans, and that irresistible siren song of the horse industry called him back almost immediately. After graduating, Dale accepted a position in Temecula, managing an eques equestrian facility in the then- isolated California countryside. Dale was eventu eventually able to purchase a portion of the ranch, which now serves as the base for his saddle making shop. Surrounded on all sides by gently rolling hills of golden grass and white sage, the ranch is dotted with contented horses and crisscrossed by eucalyptus lined lanes. The ranch is still quintquint essential old California. His career as a tack maker began when he started making girth straps and halters for the cowboys at the ranch. As time went on he was able to find braiders and artisans to work on the strap leather, and the rest is history. Dale was able to expand into full service custom saddlery work. He also creates a veritable dragon’s lair of silver award buckles, conchos, trophies, romel reins, and other treasures precious enough to inspire hundreds of competitors to pour their heart and soul into their horse show performances, eager for a chance to earn some of that silver for their trophy cases.

Dale’s tale of silver and success is practically an American Dream story

book. Certainly anyone nostalgic for days past, where things of beauty and practicalpractical ity are not necessarily mutually exclusive will naturally be drawn to his work and enterprising spirit. Every last aspect of the fine saddles, buckles, and bridles are crafted by hand within 30 miles of the Temecula ranch, exactingly created to Dale’s high standards. It takes a talented craftsman eight full years of experience before many of the techniques are perfected. ex Eight years, however, is a walk in the park compared to the experience level of Dale’s oldest employees. “When I made my first halter 38 years ago, I met many different craftsman who mentored me, and today, their children are working for me, so there are two generations in this business. I learned it from their father and now his children are working for me, and they have been with me for 30 years.” He goes on to explain the level of skill required to master the finest aspects of the art: “You have to be born into a family that does this, like a tooler or a braider. When you’re born into the family, you’re with your parents for so long, you just pick it up. Some of this work is so intricate. es It takes time, hard work, and you’ve got to love what you’re doing, especially the braiders. So, when we make our bosals, we do all of the hand braided work, and all of this takes time to learn.” Now, Dale’s gaze has turned to the growing Andalusian community. His saddle an trees allow plenty of room for the breed’s wide and powerful shoulders. Many andalusian owners complain that it is difficult to fit their horses, but they will have no problems with a Chavez saddle. To accommodate short backs, Dale makes the saddle skirts shorter. In addition to silver, and even “blinged-out” saddles, Dale also has a line of extremely well made, but more modest looking “cowboy dressage” saddles, which are the perfect answer to the growing clamor for a western Eq saddle with a balanced seat and Iberian-appropriate tree for US Working Equitation. For the discriminating lady, Dale even offers side saddles. pres At the end of the day, Dale’s roots as a California cowboy are always present. When he is otherwise unoccupied by travel or work, Dale is still team roping (off his own saddles) and appreciating the tranquil beauty of his Temecula ranch. Amid the hustle and bustle of the freeways and busy horse show circuit, California’s old ways are alive and well, if you only know where to look. www.dalechavezsaddles.com

Hacienda Dos Olivos Travel & Destination

Have you ever imagined what it might be like to steal away across the Atlantic with your compass pointing toward the sun-drenched rural roads of Andalucia? If you have, you certainly would not be the first. Spain, specifically Andalucia, has long been known as one of the brightest jewels in Europe's crown in terms of vacationing locales. Lovers of horses will be especially delighted to find that rural life and reverence for the region's world class equines is alive and well. However, many travelers are unsure where to begin their journey into Spain's most famous shoreline and countryside. Look no further than Hacienda Dos Olivos. Tucked away in the idyllic countryside southwest of Sevilla, Hacienda Dos Olivos will sweep you off your feet and introduce you to a timeless and relaxing retreat into the heart of Andalucia. Offering not only trail and beach rides on hardy Spanish ranch horses, Dos Olivos also offers lessons in centered riding, classical equitation, and natural horsemanship with a stable full of magnificent Iberian horses; PRE Andalusians, Spanish-Portuguese Andalusians, and a Lusitano. Dos Olivos is in actuality a working organic Olive farm, specializing in Manzanilla table olives. The bed and breakfast and the horses are only part of the larger picture. It is common for vineyards, brandy makers, olive growers, cork growers, and every other type of farmer in between to take pride in their very own stable of fine Iberian horses, and Dos Olios is no exception. In this instance, however, you are invited to come along for the ride. Located on a hill above the nearby town of Aznalcรกzar, the farm's quintessential Spanish hacienda is nestled in 34 acres of ancient olive trees. Because the farm is organic, it invites a great deal of native wildlife, which are welcomed by the proprietors. The birds and flowers only bolster the farm's distinctive character. In keeping with the overall attitude of respect and reverence for the earth, the farm is named in

memory of the two large olive trees which had to come down in order to build the farm house. The small, but airy and cool hacienda is a typical Spanish design, with stone and adobe walls, a cobbled courtyard, gardens, and swimming pool. Only a few guests may be accommodated at any given time to ensure that everyone is well looked after. One of the benefits of staying on a working farm while traveling is the opportunity to sample some fresh, seasonal, and endemic food products of the area. Traditional Andalucian fare with locally grown products are served by the farm's own chef, with the farm's trademark Manzanilla olives available year round. Just thirty minutes from Sevilla and adjacent to â&#x20AC;&#x153;can't missâ&#x20AC;? stops for Equestrian travelers, such as the town of Jerez with its Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, Dos Olivos offers all the convenience, charm, culture, and tranquility and traveler could hope for. The Andalusian horses make it magical. See you in Spain?

Hacienda Dos Olivos, Apartado de Correos 25 41480 Pilas (Sevilla), Spain

www.dosolivosecuestre.com info@dosolivosecuestre.com

A Brief History of In modern developed countries, horses are rarely considered necessities or a primary mode of transportation. They are our companions, our prize show animals, and our pets. However, as our readers know well, this was not always the case. Evidence suggests that the horse as we know it has been domesticated by man for approximately 5,000 years. How much in horse husbandry has changed since then? What kind of tack was used? What man-gathered forage were they fed? What kind of shoes did they wear, if any? The latter is the topic we will examine today; the origin of horse shoes.

eet The Horse Modern horses evolved in cold, dry, steppe and grassland habitats. Traveling miles each day to graze, their hooves were adapted for a precise rate of growth and wearing; a growth rate which matched their natural activities and substrate. The horse as we know it is known as Equus ferus in scientific nomenclature. Several subspecies, including the domestic horse (Equus ferus caballus), have coexisted with man over the ages. Only two of the completely wild, never-domesticated subspecies of horse persisted into the modern era; the extinct Tarpan (Equus ferus ferus, which was driven to extinction in the 19th century) and the extant but highly endangered Przewalskiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s horse (Equus ferus przewalskii), which inhabits the Eurasian Steppes. It is generally agreed upon that the domesticated horse descends from both the Tarpan, and at least one other unknown, and undescribed subspecies of Equus ferus. Efforts to reconstruct the outward appearance, or phenotype of the Tarpan have resulted in several horse breeds with primitive dun coloration, but these are in fact domesticated horses. Feral populations of horses such as Mustangs and Brumbies are also domesticated animals.

ooves Before Shoes The average lifespan of the typical wild or feral horse is approximately 10 years; roughly half or even a third of the lifespan of a well-cared for domesticated horse. While domestication blesses horses with a longer lifespan and greater level of care than mother nature tends to afford them, it still removes them and their hooves from the natural cycles of growth and wear. Marshy, muddy, damp, or very hard ground changes the way a hoof grows and wears down, as does the type of native stone in an area. Dirt containing mostly granite particles, for instance, wears hooves faster than soil with limestone particles. Pavement and hard packed dirt roads also understandably wear a hoof faster than padded grassland, as well as contribute to joint and bone degeneration. Additionally, great physical demands are placed on domesticated horses, and therefore, their hooves. Introducing foreign footing, burdens, and variable levels of wear and tear eventually required the invention of hoof protection, for both therapeutic purposes, and simple protection from a greater rate of wear vs. growth. For thousands of years, horse shoes did not exist and domesticated horses often did not live very long as a result, as they were work animals and not pets. Finally, a catalyst appeared.

he Roman Roads In the history of civilization, one single feat of engineering spurred some of the greatest changes and growth in every conceivable aspect of human life that the world has ever, and will ever see. Indeed, it was also one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient Rome; the Roman Roads. Their construction began around 500 BCE, and lasted until 27

BCE. Stretching from Egypt to Great Britain (then the Roman province of Brittania), this network of artfully laid drainage layers and cobblestones persists in many places to this very day. Such was its durability. Suddenly, travel throughout Europe became vastly more feasible. This meant exchanges in culture, warfare, goods, and language, and all the travel that went along with this exchange of people and ideas. More people began to travel greater distances in shorter spans of time on a more regular basis, and this meant that horses in general had new demands placed upon them. As horses were the primary means of travel at the time, they not only had to cover greater distances, but were compelled to do so on hard cobblestones, rather than turf or dirt bridleways. At their peak, the Roman Road system included more than 250,000 miles of road, 50,000 miles of which were stone paved. To give you some perspective, the Great Wall of China was 13,000 miles long, and the American Discovery Trail’s most direct route from coast to coast is just over 5,000 miles.

he First Nail-On Shoes While the exact date and location of the metal nail-on shoe’s invention remains a mystery, it is generally agreed upon that horse shoes were invented by a Celtic tribe known as the Gauls. Very little evidence of early horse shoes remains, and historians have varying opinions on the earliest shoes. Since iron was a much sought after commodity, spent shoes were melted down, and thus lost as artifacts. Some of the earliest examples of nail-on shoes date to about a century after the Roman Roads began construction. Metal shoes with nail holes found in an Etruscan tomb have been dated to around 400 BCE. (To give you an idea of what was going on in the world at this time, King Leonidas of Spartan-hero fame, died in 480 BCE. ) The Etruscan shoes were bronze, and due to bronze’s unsuitability as a shoe-material and the context of their discovery, are likely to have been ceremonial in nature. The definitive and datable discovery of nail-on metal horse shoes has greater impli implications than the metal with which they were made for a burial; they show us that shoes had in fact been invented and were being used concurrently with the creation of the Roman Roads. There is also evidence of leather pads being nailed onto early shoes, between the hoof and the shoe, just as we use leather or synthetic pads today. Since leather rots away and some historians don’t believe that horse shoes were invented until after the Common Era, much debate exists on this topic. There are no clear written references that specifically indicate that nail-on horse shoes (vs strap-on hipposandals) existed before 500 AD. Over the ages translations become murky, and the Etruscan shoes are clearly shoes. However, the debate among historians rages on. We do know for certain that since ancient times, the overall design and concept of the nail-on horse shoe has lasted through the ages, much like the Roman Roads.

ipposandals: The First Hoof Boots Nail on shoes are not the only modern form of hoof protection in existence with ancient origins. Hoof boots are often thought to be about as old as nail-on shoes, and were also strongly associated with the creation of Roman Roads. The earliest form of hoof boots were known as Hipposandals, latin for “horse shoes”, and were fashioned out of a metal plate with leather straps, which fixed the “shoe” to the bottom of the horse’s foot. They were likely not intended for great distances or speed. However, they were widely used during Roman times, and Xenophon himself wrote about them during his lifetime(430 – 354 BCE). As with nail on shoes, their remains were valuable as scrap metal and very few examples remain today, but a number of them have been found in ditches alongside Roman Roads, exactly where you might expect to find a lost boot today!

odern Innovations in Shoes and Boots Traditional nail-on horse shoes have persisted into the modern era, and a form of hipposandals have re-emerged as hoof boots. Innovative modern shoes utilizing aluminum, plastic, rubber, and even borium spikes have changed the way we use horse shoes, as well as expanded our equestrian horizons. Today, there are even glue-on shoes! However, like so many aspects of Roman-Era culture, from architecture, language, to social order, 2500 years later we still turn to the essentials of this ancient invention to solve an age old problem: how to best protect our horses and improve their usefulness without compromising their comfort.

As the old saying goes; “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Photos courtesy of James M Burton and Christina Landreth 31

Understanding and their Treatment

If you own a horse you will eventually run into some type of crack either from injury, changes in environment, changes in usage, aging or as we have experienced in California a long period of time without rain and some feet becoming dry and experiencing superficial cracks in the hoof wall. Understanding the origin, and what type of crack your horse has is the 1st step in treating and prevention. The 3 most common cracks that you will come across are: • Quarter cracks: Vertical separations in the hoof wall and most commonly affect the sensitive structures of the hoof capsule and cause lameness. • Clefts: Horizontal cracks that do not usually affect sensitive laminae • Sand Cracks: Hairline cracks, usually superficial and are considered a blemish.

A quarter crack as depicted above is usually the most dramatic crack. A quarter crack is the result of a weakened hoof capsule from injury, improper hoof balance, improper shoe fit or conformation. In this particular case the horse was retired as a result of a chronic QC. Through proper balance and the application of a screw and “Superfast” the horse was back in training. In one 5 week shoeing interval the crack had already started growing out.

Hoof Cracks 34

Clefts are cracks that run horizontal to the horn tubules. Clefts are caused by injury to the hair either from contusion or abscess. Clefts do not normally cause lameness and are considered a blemish but occasionally if they happen closer to the bulbs of the hoof they may cause heel separation. In the most common cases there are no special shoeing or trimming requirements. The cleft will grow down and when it reaches the basal surface of the hoof capsule it will break free from the hoof wall leaving what looks like to be a large chip in the hoof. In the occasion where bulbs are affected and heel attachments have been compromised, it may be necessary to apply a bar shoe and or a rigid pad to help stabilize the hoof capsule until the heel is reconnected.

Sand cracks can originate from the basal surface, hair line or the center of the capsule. Sand cracks do not affect the sensitive laminae and do not cause lameness as they are considered superficial and a blemish. Left untreated, they can affect the quality of the hoof wall resulting in excessive chipping that can result in lameness or diminished use. Sand cracks can be caused by the environment, shoeing, poor nail placement or irregular shoeing and trimming. Treatment starts with identifying the cause, increasing shoeing or trimming intervals, shoeing the unshod hoof, topical hoof dressings, supplementation, reduced bathing or improved bedding.

Sean Lorenzana has been a professional farrier for 18 years. His practice covers southern California,central california and southern Nevada. His bulk Cliental are show horses including hunter/Jumper dressage with a diverse list of breeds including TB, warmbloods, Andalusians,Friesians,lipazoners,and paso finos. Sean was worked closely with the western states farriers association on their annual conference. His responsibilities included the organization of the trade show, competition and sponsorship. Sean was recognized two times By the W.S.F.A for promoting continued education in the farrier industry. Sean also has a certification from the American Farriers association since 1997 and currently works with the AFA on their marketing committee.

The Hispano Arabe While it is well known that iconic Andalusian horse is the native Horse of Spain, it may surprise some North Americans to learn that there is another ancient breed of horse filling up the Iberian Peninsula’s most posh stables and show rings; The Hispano Arabe. This singular hybrid of two unique and ancient breeds has been in existence for well over 1000 years, and in Spain its tremendous following is growing daily.

History of the Hybrid

Arabian horses are sometimes viewed by Spanish horse aficionados with contempt or suspicion, largely due to the fact that the Spanish Military was extensively crossbreeding to Arabians and Thoroughbreds during the first half of the 20th century, forever influencing the most famous of Military PRE bloodlines, for good or for ill. Additionally, the Arabian horse’s presence in Spain was due to centuries of invasions and bitter warfare. Spain endured waves of invasions by North African Muslims, beginning in 711 AD and ending with the last battle of the Reconquista; The Fall of Granada in 1491. The Arabian horse is widely considered to be one of the oldest horse breeds in existence today. While all domesticated horses (Equus ferus caballus ) are considered by the scientific community as a single domesticated subspecies of the original, but now extinct wild horse, Equus ferus, Arabian horses enjoyed a special level of genetic seclusion on the Arabian Peninsula and are one of the most unadulterated ancient bloodlines of horses today. They even have a different number of ribs in comparison to conspecifics from other breeds, highlighting their uniqueness. Andalusian horses, on the other hand, have a slightly more complex genetic history. These animals are descended from both European Equus ferus and an additional species of wild horse endemic to the Iberian peninsula, the extinct Tarpan , Equus ferus ferus (which should not be confused with a modern domesticated breed also called tarpans, which were selected to superficially resemble the extinct species’ phenotype). For many thousands of years, Iberian horses also enjoyed genetic seclusion. However, when North Africans began invading Spain, they brought Arabian horses with them, and took Spanish horses back to Africa and created the Barb. It is sometimes thought that the Barb is older than the Iberian horse, but it has been determined that the Barb is in fact derived from both Iberian horses and Arabian horses. (Source: “This is The Spanish Horse”. Sr. Juan Llamas). The point of all of this being, both Arabian and Iberian horses had and still have very pure and isolated genotypes, and the resulting crossbreeding during the Muslim invasions of Spain produced vigorous, thrifty, and beautiful anan imals with desirable characteristics from both breeds. The tradition of crossing these proud animals to create an exceptional hybrid remains to this day, and it’s starting to take hold in North America!

The Hispano Arabe Today

Hispano Arabes have a tremendous and ever-grow ever-grow-ing following in Spain, where they are prized as athath letic sport horses. The oldest official breeding records for Hispano Arabes date back to 1789. They are used for everything from Doma Vaquera to Bullfighting. Like the PRE, there is an association and studbook which maintains a registry for Hispano Arabe, and they have their own National Championship show. During the 1980ies, interest in the breed dwindled and shifted to the Hispano-Arabe’s counterpart, the Tres Raices, or three36

blood horse, which is a sport horse combination of Thoroughbred, Iberian, and Arabian blood. Spaniards recognized the hybrid breed was something worth preserving and maintaining, and the official modern Hispano Arabe Studbook was formed in 1986. In 1990, seeing that this sub-type of Iberian horse and a living reminder of Spain’s history was losing ground, the Cria Caballar took it upon themselves to increase numbers of the dwindling breed and once again began actively crosscross ing Iberian horses to Arabian horses. As typical for the Cria Caballar, meticulous breeding methods were utilized to revitalize the breed. Stallions would stand for approximately 5 years, and every two years their performance as sires was reevaluated. Offspring were carefully graded. Now, several generations down the line, a new breed has emerged, though F1 (first generation) offspring are still considered Hispano Arabes. Intended to be a versatile working horse, the grading process will continue to evolve, and in the future it is suggested that there will be a process very much like Revisions to further hone the breed’s integrity. The Cria Caballar has transferred the studbook to the Spanish Union of Cattle Dealers and of Pura Raza Hispano-Arabe. The Hispano-Arabe is now designated as Spain’s Sports Horse with AN ANCADES. At the government level, MAPA, the Spanish department for Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, is running a huge publicity campaign to heighten awareness of the breed, and to demonstrate that Spain’s own people must work with the government to maintain and promote the breed. It has been suggested that in the future the book will eventually close, and become an entirely new Spanish-Influenced breed, not unlike the Lipizzaner breed.

Hispano Arabes in North America

In North America, in the absence of representatives from the official studbook, Hispano Arabes are only informally recognized, and are duel-registered as Half Arabians, and Half Andalusians with each respective registry. However, this does not limit neither the horses nor their enthusiasts in North America, instead, this duel-breed desigdesig nation serves as a springboard to double showing opportunities.

Able to compete in two separate varieties of breed shows as well as a variety of open events, including distance riding and dressage, Hispano Arabes are poised to become one of the most versatile horses in North America if the trends in Spain have any influence. For potential shoppers: Quality Hispano Arabes typically sell for the price of a purebred Andalusian of equal quality. A word of caution for potential breeders; Breeding for Hispano Arabes, as explained by the Cria Caballar, is not simply a matter of random hybridization. In the absence

of direct guidance from the studbook in the US, prospective parents must be carefully evaluated for type, temperament and conformation. Spanish (yes, Spain has its own strain of purebred Arabians!) Crabbet, Russian,and Polish Arabians are recommended, rather than Egyptians, and old-type Carthusian horses are best suited for the Spanish side of the cross, rather than the warmblood type PRE’s popular in the competitive dressage arena today. Ultimately, whether or not the Hispano Arabe is destined to enjoy the same level of popularity in North America as it does in Spain, it is certainly an ancient, beautiful, and worthy specialty specimen more than worthy of coverage by Andalusian World!

The Hispano Arabe - An Owner’s Perspective By Lori Jespersen I read somewhere that the Andalusian is a thing of royalty, not celebrity.... Having been around Spanish horses much of my life, this simply made sense. With an Old World beauty as a starting point, they bring a confidence --sometimes bordering on arrogance -- to their presence. They are romantic -- and they know it. Blend that with the refinement, agility and artistry that is the Arabian, and you have the Hispano Arabe. About 4 years ago, I went on a mission to find the aforementioned qualities, in black (yes, I am one of those “color” people.) That being said, color was not to trump quality and such were my instructions to the Universe. A few months and a series of dreams later, I saw a black weanling Hispano Arabe filly on an internet site. Her stature, before hitting the funny growth phases, foretold her conformation as a grown-up and I corresponded for several weeks with the breeder. After a series of cell phone videos and a vet check, she was headed to the ranch. I called her Lyra -- after the character in The Golden Compass, who also came from a time of magic, myth & mystery. Lyra has been incredibly easy to teach -- this being both a good and bad quality, as many horse owners will attest to. Living on a ranch of Arabians, who, I have learned, are notoriously “in your pocket” I can say that the Andalusian possesses a certain aloofness distinct from her Bedouin other half. Willing, but not reliant. She entered the show ring on the Arabian circuit, and from a small class A show, left her first class Reserve Champion Sport Horse In-Hand. In her most recent Scottsdale debut, she was awarded 2nd place in both the amateur and open Sport Horse In-hand classes. We hope to show her under saddle in the coming season. She will not be alone, either, as a small handful of Hispano Arabes were spotted around the Scottsdale arenas. Rare -- but remarkable, even at a distance. Their unique engagement from their hindquarters, easily covering the ground beneath them is a clue -- then their smooth gaits and baroque bodies give them away. We hope to join the small, but beautiful contingent of this growing breed in the shows to come. Special thanks to her breeder, Shannon Olson of Promise farm Andalusians, for producing such beautiful and talented creatures, and to the team here at Buona Vista Arabians for nurturing her growth. See you in the arena!

Andalusian Adventure:

likely to want my riding mare, was more to stop and contemplate her options, seeking Part 2 a way around rather than through. I quickly learned to trust her judgment, and she just as quickly figured out Beginning on Day 2, however, as we left the BLM and how to rate her speed in working her way through the private land behind, we encountered increasingly chalblow downs so that the two pack horses could also negolenging trail conditions. There were sections of trail tiate the obstacles. where the tread was about 18 inches across, while on either side treacherous lava flows and sharp-edged jum- For their part, both Ansia and Sola proved to be rebled rocks threatened to slice horse legs. High-mountain markably intelligent and willing pack horses. Neither one refused to follow wherever Odalisca led them, and passes where the horses had to pick their way through both seemed to grasp the importance of waiting for help loose rock and a mis-step would have meant toppling rather than panicking when their packs got hung up on down a 500-foot cliff-edge with little hope of recovery. the jagged branches that seemed determined to halt our progress so much of the time. By Julie Alonzo

The horses soon learned to judge which fallen logs were low enough that high-stepping Andalusians could successfully scramble over them and which required finding an alternate route. I found that about three feet was the top height that they seemed comfortable attempting, and when the trail included multiple fallen trees close together in a jumbled tangle, Odalisca,

drink from the rare but much appreciated sources of water we came to along the trail. The trip lived up to my expectations in so many ways. We were rewarded with beautiful scenery: high mountain rocky crags, snow-covered peaks, pristine lakes, and wild flowers in abundance. We were fortunate in terms of weather for the majority of our journey: days were clear and temperate, nights cool and dry. The final day, however, as we descended from the snow-covered peaks of the Three Sisters Wilderness Area, we were enveloped by a tremendous storm, with thunder shaking the ground underfoot, and lightning striking the peaks all 40

By the end of the second day, the three mares were working so well together and were so attuned to what I was asking them that I decided to switch to riding with a halter rather than the bridle with which I’d started the trip, a conscious attempt to reduce the pieces of tack that could potentially get hung up in the fallen trees. This choice had the added benefit of making it easier for Odalisca to

around us. After a couple of hours, the heavy rain turned to hail, and before I knew it, we were dodging marble-sized ice balls pelting down from above, as we scurried through the black lava rock and finally emerged on Highway 242 where a friend with a horse trailer and dry truck awaited our arrival. The storm was a fitting end to the 12-day adventure, giving the horses yet another opportunity to demonstrate their sound minds and willing spirits. I must say, though, that I think they were just as happy to spot their trailer in the distance as I was to catch sight of my friend who was there

to pick us up.

The Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail differed

from other trails I’ve ridden in several key ways. First and foremost, it was the most heavily-forested trail I have ever ridden. The vast majority of the 280 miles we crossed on our 2013 adventure were covered in trees, with only brief glimpses of anything resembling a horizon. There were days when everywhere I looked all I could see were tree trunks ~ so densely packed together in sections that I could see no further than about ten feet into the forest, and only a thin sliver of sky was even visible directly overhead. The PCT winds through several amazing old-growth forests, with more variety and size of evergreens than I have ever encountered anywhere else. These sections were memorable, too, for the Spanish moss hanging from the branches, the huge silent owls that swept down the trail in front of the horses on several occasions, and the absolute solitude they seemed to exude.

water could be found. The lack of water presented several challenges, not the least of which was ensuring that the stock remained healthy throughout the trip.

Sadly, the Oregon PCT was memorable, too, for how poorly maintained it was. Of the 280 miles we covered, only 50 or so had any evidence of maintenance within the past year. These 50 miles, where the trail crossed through one USFS district’s boundaries, were delightful. There were no blow downs to fight our way through, no hazardous branches to spear the horses’ packs on their way down the trail. The rest of the trail was, frankly, impassable for horses in many sections. That my three mares made it through with only a few minor scrapes is testament to their intelligence, athleticism, and courage. If my hiking companions hadn’t been ahead of me already, and dependent on me getting through with their tents, gear, and food, I would likely have turned around more than once. As it was, I think It was also the driest network of developed trail each time we miraculously made it through I’ve ever ridden. There were several days where yet another impossible obstacle unscathed, I the horses were able to drink before we left gained greater respect for the horses and camp in the morning, but then had to travel more confidence in a divine being looking over 26 miles before we reached the tiny spring out for the well-being of fools and their equine companions. or trickling creek where the next source of

Pt 2 Author’s Note: For years, I’ve talked about the versatility of the Andalusian. When people ask me what I mean, I think they expect me to talk about how my riding horse might also do well in a halter class. For me, versatility is all that, and more. CDC Ansia’s summer adventures make a great illustration. This five-year-old Andalusian mare went on her first five-day pack trip with my sister, niece, nephew, and me in early July. My sister alternated between riding her and another horse, switching back and forth to give each of them experience both carrying a pack and a rider on the trail. Two days after we returned to civilization, we hauled Ansia up to the 2013 Canadian National Show, where she won in halter, English, and Western classes. We drove home on the Sunday after the show. The next day, Monday, she started the 12-day pack adventure up the PCT. One week after we ended that journey, she was back at a show, competing at the Oregon State Fair in halter, best movement, hunt seat, dressage suitability, western pleasure, and working equitation. In the space of a six weeks, this fiveyear-old mare proved her worth as a trail riding horse with two different riders; a pack horse navigating some incredibly rugged trails; and a show horse with wins in every discipline offered at the show.

Versatile? You bet!

Taking a look at...

Historical Sires Historical Sires

Every now and then, an unusually gifted equine will emerge within a breed community, and redefine what it means to be a show horse. This phenomenon exists widely across various breeds and disciplines. Several such magnificent creatures have graced the US Andalusian show rings, but one in particular redefined the meaning of a National title, and Andalusian versatility. This issue’s featured Historical Stallion is 24-time National Champion Spanish Andalusian, Mayoral LA, owned by Amandalusian Farm in Burbank, California. Amandalusian Farm is operated by the Latta family; Nancy, Joe, and Amanda, and is also home to Breyer Horse model Kripton SENI II. Nancy, Amanda, and trainer Sandy Shields have been a force to be reckoned with in the competitive California show circuit as well as the National shows since the beginning of their partnership in 1991. Mayoral came into the picture several years later in 1994, when as a dashing two year old colt, he stole Nancy’s heart with his liquid eyes. “I fell in love with his eyes. Perhaps it was the kindness I saw in them.” admits Nancy. Nancy’s simultaneously astute and soulful observation led her team down the path of a lifetime. Mayoral turned out to be far more than a pretty pair of eyes. He would end up revolutionizing the Andalusian breed culture in the US by excelling in a wide spectrum of disciplines in large and competitive classes, with Sandy at the helm cheerfully guiding Mayoral’s growgrow ing talent wherever it led him. Ultimately, it led the Amandalusian team to 24 national titles, in everything from Hunt Seat, Western Pleasure, Saddle Seat, Show Hack, Country Pleasure, and more, with Amanda riding during competition. Amanda describes Mayoral as a soulmate, and Nancy and Sandy agree that their connecconnec tion is profound and powerful. After all these years of cheerful, but hard work, Mayoral is still alive and well (and showing) at 22 years of age. If you were to guess that the marvelous stallion must be royalty among mortal equines, you would be correct; he is part of a dynasty of superior Cartujano horses, a veritable who’s who of Andalusian horses. The Latta family acquired Mayoral from the legendary Rancho Esmeralda, headed by Luis Arenas Garcia in Mexico, a maestro among horse breeders. Luis Arenas was well known for producing Carthusian-type Andalusian horses of utmost quality. It should then come as no surprise that he meticulously selected and imported the best possible stock from highly esteemed Spanish breeders for his program. Mayoral’s parents were legendary in their own right. His pure Lovera sire Genio III was imported in 1986 in-utero, and went on to become one of the most prolific sires in North American history, and certainly the most famous black horse of the time. genera Following his importation to the US, he stood for many years at Jdon Farm. Today, several generations of Genio’s get still dominate the show pen, and Mayoral’s success has transcended many gengen erations.

Mayoral’s dam, though naturally less prolific than a stallion, certainly left her mark on the breed as well. Habana VIII was bred by Miguel Angel de Cardenas Llavaneras, and was Haimported by Luis Arenas in-utero in 1986, like Genio. Ha bana’s first foal was Mayoral. She quickly became well-known as a super power of a producer. Along with Genio and MayMay oral LA, she was eventually imported to the US. In addition to Mayoral, three of her offspring are left in the United States: Sandokan IV, Escamillo, and Deceada MA, all sporting her large and kind eyes. Habana’s three sons dominated the Region Regional and National show pens for many years, with Mayoral amass amassing the most titles, by far. Mayoral raised the bar on the Iberian Show horse, and defined the ideal Cartujano in both body and spirit to hundreds. He is regarded as a family member by the Lattas. He redefined verver satility, elegance, and work ethic, and his positive influence will not likely be soon forgotten. To this day, even in his later years, Mayoral’s proud heritage shines brightly. Tall and poised, with an elegant head and neck and floating movements, Mayoral looks every bit the chamcham pion he is. He now sports a gleaming white coat and the long silky mane that defines the Cartujano, and it is difficult to imagine that he is in fact 22 years old. Mayoral has long been a beautiful fixture in the heart of the Andalusian horse industry, amassing two decades of shows and performances; a long and illustrious career for any breed! There are few involved with the finbreed who have not seen this distinguished gentleman at his fin est.

It is with great enthusiasm that Andalusian World honors Mayoral LA as a living historical sire!

Dieter Probson

Amateur Spotlight

Born and raised in Germany, my family has been in the meat business for 200 years. When I met Christa (Probson), I moved to the U.S, and in 1999, and we bought the current “Rancho Andalucia”. Rancho Andalucia was founded several years prior to this by my wife. I have worked in my current position as General Manager since I moved to the U.S. We have been breeding and raising P.R.E. horses since then together very successfully. Q: How long have you been involved in the breed and how did you become involved? A: I have been involved in the breed for 18 years now. When I met my wife Christa, she had been involved in the breed and breeding for 12 years. I was actually visiting the U.S. to buy a Quarter Horse I was living in Germany at the time. She and the breed quickly convinced me to convert from the Quarter Horse to the Spanish Horse. We spent some time in Germany together, getting to know many breeders in Germany and Spain at the time, and then imported our Foundation stock upon returning to the U.S, where we bought our Ranch, Rancho Andalucia in Pilot Point, Tx. Q: When did you start showing and what has been the highlight of your show career so far? A: I have been showing horses on and off, but never really seriously, as I simply didn’t have time. There was always a fence that needed to be built, or a barn. Being the General Manager of a busy meat market, restaurant, German import store and deer processing plant, there wasn’t much time to spend on enjoying the horses, we mainly just enjoyed breeding them and working on the ranch. The highlight of my show career was definitely last year, when we won 5 National Championships and 2 Reserve National Championships. 3 of the Championship titles were under saddle with me riding our breeding stallion, Jalisco Dominante. Other highlights include being awarded Horseman of the Year by PREBA, the United States PRE breeders association (of which my wife is a Founding Director) and our stallion being named USEF Reserve Champion Halter Horse of the year. 2013 was an amazing year for me! Q: What is your opinion on what can be done to encourage more people to show in the breed shows? A: More advertising for the breed shows to the General Public and try to encourage our youth to participate more, they are our future. I encourage people to not be afraid to lose, just get out there and enjoy your horse. Q: How do you find Andalusians compared to other breeds you have ridden? A: There is no comparison. The willingness to work and trying to please their rider, their lightness of movement, their natural collectability, their easy temperaments, and natural beauty all make them a joy to be around and feel safe. You never have to worry about riding your stallion around mares. Our breeding stallion acts better than the geldings and mares in the predominately warm blood barn he is at and he is the only stallion. He is also the only Spanish horse at the barn of about 100 horses and can be safely ridden with children and novices in the arena. Q: What is your ultimate goal with your horse? A: My dream is to learn to ride at Grand Prix. I am currently at a level 2, training at 3, and my stallion is a little ahead of me in his training. Q: Besides showing, what other types of things do you do with your horse? A: He is our breeding stallion, which does not affect his temperament or riding him, and we love to trail ride him. I take lessons on him at least twice a week, and ride him about 3 to 4 times a week. He gets ridden daily, twice a day, by his trainer, Kai Handt, who is also the U.S. para – Olympics coach.

Are you and your horses ready for a

or other disaster? By Julia Erickson, owner Freedom Song Ranch

if any, their plan is for your horse if there is a disaster. Even if you think the facility is pretty much fire Disasters happen. There’s no avoiding them. The proof, if it is surrounded by fire, your horse will be only way we can have them be a little less disastrous affected by the air quality. Have a plan for what you is to plan for them. I live with my horses in sunny will do if a fire or flood threatens your boarding faSouthern California. Where, it seems, if you want to cility. No body is going to worry and care about your live next to a tree, you’d better be prepared for a fire! horse’s welfare as much as you will! My horses and I have been through 4 fires. They say with experience, comes wisdom. I don’t know how You may not have a truck and trailer to move your wise I’ve become, but would like to share with you horse. Know the phone number(s)of the animal some insights. If you have not picked a location for rescue, and friends, acquaintances or neighbors who you and your horse to live, use some of this informa- will loan you their truck & trailer or help you move tion to help you make a selection. If you have yet to your horse. Program that number(s) into your cell build a barn, this information may also be helpful. phone NOW so you can automatically dial it if you The rest is information all can use. ever need to. Or you can call a friend or relative anywhere and assign them the job of calling the number MAKE A PLAN. First part of your evacuation plan to give the rescue people your address and direcis to grab your horses registrations! So have them tions about how to get to and evacuate your horses. handy and together in something that you can grab During the second fire, my son in Las Vegas called as easy as your purse! Can you imagine the nightthe rescue number every half hour for 36 hours unmare of trying to get them replaced especially if they til he heard our horses had been rescued. It is good are from other countries. Or better yet, only keep to plan ahead that you will be in touch with one or copies at home and originals in a safe deposit box. two people outside your area. Say, Minnesota where it doesn’t burn! Seriously, cell towers burn and cell Evaluate your location and all possible escape routes phones go out in the area of a fire. So your family from that location. You will need to know all your will want a number to call to check on how you are. options depending on which direction the fire or So the person you call will be the one to disseminate flood is coming. Know where Equine evacuation information between you and others. You might sites are in your county. Make arrangements with want to leave their number on your cell phone’s out other horse owners in your county to help each other going message before your phone goes out. If you with housing if there is a fire/flood in your particular are able to get to an area where your cell phone is area and not theirs. Otherwise you will need to be still working, one way to know if the fire has burned well acquainted with the evacuation centers in your your home is to call your answering machine. If it area and how to get to them. You may be presented doesn’t answer, the fire has gotten, at the very least, with a situation where you are ordered to evacuate close enough to take out the electricity if not the before you can move your horses. whole house. You are not exempt if you board. You are even more likely to not be with, or able to get to your horse in this case. Check with your facility and find out what, 52

Releasing horses during a fire would be a very last resort or choice to make after you’ve exhausted other options. They may be able to out run a fire but the

chances for catastrophic injury during the process is even greater than the fire threat. During the ”03” fire, I was able to evacuate the horses 3 days before the fire got to our home. However, during those three days the wind changed directions and I had to move all the horses 4 times! The last time, the authorities would not let us come back to make a second trip and I did not have enough room for all of the horses in my two trailers. At that point, it was up to me to decide who was coming with me and who would be left behind to possibly parish in the fire. This was the most heart wrenching decision I’ve had to make in my life! I finally decided to do it by age. And as I kissed each of the oldest horses good bye, I told each one that I loved them and had given them the best life I possibly could and said I hoped they understood my decision.

non-horseman) neighbor asked if he could help us. I gave him a lunge whip and said, “stand here, I’m going to turn all the mares loose. Make sure they all go in the arena and not past you!” God bless him! He did exactly that! and all the mares stayed in the arena until the next morning when the fire was out.

Fire fighters were using our property to access the fire. Yes, it was that close! They ordered us to evacuate. We said “No, we are not leaving our horses or our property!” We had no time to hook up a trailer or lead horses anywhere. The fire fighters remembered our property had been destroyed in 07. One of them put his hands on my shoulders and said, “Lady, we’re not going to let anything happen to you or your horses.” He made a call on his walkie talkie ...and moments later a plane came and dropped the red stuff on our property line and my husband, who was holding a hose there! They took a stand at our I and a volunteer, who drove my other truck and property line and did, in fact, not let the wall of fire trailer, then took the horses to the other side of the go past it. Fortunately, the fire did not come near the mountain towards the desert. We found locations stallions paddocks. But we also keep them cleared for them in the next valley that seemed pretty safe of flammable material because we know that we, or because it had burned the year before. One of my anyone helping us, would have hands full trying to mares, her 5 month old colt and two year old daugh- evacuate the mares and stallions together. Chances ter were turned loose in a vineyard! Thank God for are stallions might have to be left behind. Rememthe Andalusian brain! They were there for two weeks ber, once you leave and they have you evacuated, Fire and never got tangled in all the wire strung every fighters and other authorities will not let you come where for the grapes! Once the horses were settled, back for a second load. You must have that Animal I drove to the closest Sheriff station to listen to the Rescue number for back up! You must warn them calls coming across the radio. The next morning we that the horses are stallions, because they travel heard a call saying that the sheriff was rescuing a around loading up horses that need rescuing. They horse only a (country) block from where my remain- don’t take time to check what gender they are. ing horses were. We coerced the woman on duty They all go in to a trailer as quickly as possible. to break in and tell them the location of my horses. And they were rescued. Now, I do not keep more horses than I have trucks and trailers to evacuate. At the time of the second fire in “07”, that burned our second home in another location, the fire worked it’s way through a corridor which created a sort of wind tunnel and brought it roaring to our property and up the hillsides to consume our home. The fire stopped at the edge of our arena. Who knew that an arena which neighbors complained about while going in, would later keep a fire from taking out the entire neighborhood up the hill from us! During the 4th fire, I remembered that the arena hadn’t burned before and that the fire stopped when it got to the arena. So when a (75 year old 53

have a water tank in your trailer and buckets. Don’t wait until there is a fire to prepare water and food, Part of your plan should have to do with “who will you won’t have time. One of the first things fire dedo what” when the time comes. If you live alone, partments do is shut of water so they will have more this would be steps, 1, 2, 3,. if there is more than one pressure for their hoses! They also will turn off elecof you...someone should be hooking up the trailer tricity, or the fire will. In which case, if you are dewhile other is collecting horses. pendent on water from a well, your well won’t pump! If you are planning on staying in place and fighting All horses should have a good working halter and the fire, make sure you have enough water stored for lead next to their door/gate at all times! If someone each horse to have 4 gallons a day minimum. If you comes in to evacuate your horses, they will want to have a pool, purchase a pump so you will have your grab what ever halter is closest as they are taking the own source of water. Purchase a reliable generator. horse out. They will not want to be hunting around We have one at home and one in the trailer. in the smoke to find where halters may be stored. Oh, and you are dreaming if you think whomever Is your barn fire safe? Is there a sprinkler system ends up with your horses will scan their microchip! for your barn? At the very least are there sprinklers They don’t! So you will want to be sure that your on top of your barn that you can turn on in case of horse(s) have their name, and your phone number fire? You will want to run it until the fire department on their halter! Getting ID tags at a pet store or on turns off the water. line is pretty easy and very inexpensive. Or you can write it with a Sharpie if you are using a nylon halter. Following our first fire, which completely destroyed our home (that took us 23 years to build!...), you There was a previous article about preparing halters can be sure, we were very concerned with structures with no throat latch, because they can go on fastbeing fire resistant. So when we moved to the new er. During one fire, my horses were taken to a place property, I shopped craigslist and was able to find a where they were tied to a chain link fence for a week steel barn someone was selling, purchased it and had before I found them. This type of halter would never it erected on our new property. No, it is not as pretty have worked for this purpose. And had their halters as some barns...but following the second fire that debeen removed because they were no longer useful, stroyed the new home in the new location, the steel the horses would no longer have their phone numbarn was the only structure still standing when we bers with them. returned to our property. Even the bedding hadn’t burned! We have since painted it. So it doesn’t look Horses get more spooky in a fire than a flood. Beso “steel” and it doesn’t look too bad. But certaincause they can see and smell the flames. If you need ly feels safe. If you already have a barn and it has to move them near flames you will want to cover not been fire proofed, there is a company called, their eyes or risk their total lack of cooperation. So NO BURN. You can spray this product on think about handkerchiefs or hand towels. If you and in your barn, or hire them to are evacuating a flood, remember, horses can swim. do it, and on any and all of your But they will also think of you as the “safe” space or structures that are porous and it the herd boss who will save them. They will likely try will penetrate and render the mato climb up on you if the water is rising. So if you are terial fire resistant, in some cases, trying to move a horse in deep water, your chancfire proof, depending on the matees of both of your survival are greater with you on rial and the amount of saturation. the horse than trying to lead it. The “hundred year Some insurance companies will flood“ plain runs right through our property. So we add coverage to your policy to come have made evacuation plans for that eventuality as in with a helicopter and foam your well. structures during a fire. It is worth the additional premium! Following No matter where you go, you will need water and a fire, you will incur a lot of expense food. We keep bags of pellets or cubes in our trailfor board if you do not have a place ers at all times for this purpose. It is also good to to bring your horses home to. Not to 54

mention the time and trouble to build a new home! And just a side note here. If you are bringing horses home to a burned area, you will want to remove as much ash as possible. It will effect the horses respiratory system. A little about the 3rd fire. Last Summer I went camping with my riding club up in Cuyamaca State Park for a week. On the last afternoon of camp, there were only 20 of us and our horses that had stayed that last Sunday night. But that afternoon a 20 year old guy had spent the afternoon on a hill opposite our camp watching us and our horses. As the sun was setting, he decided to start a forest fire, specifically to trap us and our horses in the camp. When I first saw the glow, I thought that perhaps it was the glow of sunset. But then quickly realized that it was glow from a fire! We called 911 and soon the fire fighters were responding. But in order to get close enough to fight the fire, they had to bring their vehicles in and block the narrow road let the fire reach that was the only exit we had to get out. They promised us that they wouldn’t us at the same time they were telling us that we were not going to be allowed to leave until the next morning. All the time I was thinking, “How can you make promises about a forest wild fire?” We all stood there on the asphalt parking lot holding our horses lead ropes through the dark of the night, watching the fire fighters silhouettes against the wall of flames only a football field length away from us. That time, if it had come any closer, I would have turned the horses loose in the forest to run the other direction. No chance they would be hit by a car. What did I learn from this one? Once again, to not put myself and horses in a situation where there is no or only one route of escape! Call me paranoid, I won’t be camping there again! My stories, sans a lot of gory details, only scratch the surface of of the kind of situations that may arise during a fire or disaster. We have pretty much resigned ourselves to thinking, “This is what we do when a fire comes.” “This is where we will go when the flood comes through.” Not “if ”. And if either never comes again, it will be a pleasant surprise. If either situation occurs, we want to be ready. How about you?

On July 9, 2009 dressage horse Amiritta (AKA Suki) was badly burned in a barn fire. Her survival was questionable, but through the amazing care that she received in ICU at New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, PA, and her owner Fran, she not only survived, but thrived! Suki has become part of the burn survivor community and has found a new mission in sharing her experience with human burn survivors. To read more about Suki, and her experiences/recovery visit:

http://sukithehorseburnsurvivor.blogspot.com

DISASTER PREPARATION CHECKLIST Checklist 1. Horse Registration Papers (see Prevention & Prep below) 2. Locate local Equestrian Evacuation Centers 3. Create a Safety Network for trailering, boarding, help 4. Delegate responsibilities for efficiency 5. ALWAYS keep halters at stall entrance (with name & phone) 6. Keep a storage of emergency pellets or cubes in your horse trailer 7. Keep trailer water tanks full (but replace regularly) 8. Barn Fire Sprinklers? 9. Emergency Halters at each stall 10. First Aid kit & Medications 11. 3 Day supply of food & water 12. Flashlights and maps

Prevention & Preparation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Maintain fire extinguishers at all barn entrances Keep breezeways clear of flammable materials Maintain area around horse housing areas (brush & debris) Store hay bales in area separate from living areas Storage: Keep grain and water in covered storage to prevent contamination Evacuation Plan: Map out all routes of escape • Locate local evacuation centers/emergency boarding locations • Keep your trailer at the ready • Keep a copy of all horse papers securely in your truck/trailer 1. Registration 2. Coggins 3. Microchip ID 4. Identifying pictures 5. Contact Info for self and vet 6. Proof of ownership 7. Emergency Halters with name/contact info 8. Using separate colors for mares and stallions will help for quick ID for rescuers 9. Put your “plan” in writing and give a copy to friends/family/neighbors 10.Maintain barn fire sprinklers

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Reasons to Sell Your Horse In The Spring Spring has sprung, and so has the season for buying and selling horses. Spring is the best possible time for a seller to showcase their stock and tempt buyers to take the plunge and write a check! Here are AndalusianWorld’s top 5 reasons to sell your horse in the spring! 1.

Buyers are feeling impulsive.

Your horse looks great

Babies are hitting the ground

Opportunities to advertise abound

You can get people talking about your sale horse

Show season has either arrived, or is coming like a freight train. If a buyer has been in the market for a new show horse during the winter and just wasn’t able to find the perfect match, they are getting anxious to get the show on the road, as it were. They are surrounded by their friends (and rival’s!) shiny show horses, and if they have been wanting to buy all winter, they are probably tired of waiting. In the span of probably just a few weeks, without any help from industrial strength clippers, your horse has likely gone from looking like a musk ox to a shiny derby winner. Making a first impression is important in any business, so whether you are showing your horse to a potential buyer in person, or taking some new photographs for advertising, chances are, he looks like shiny and muscular! If he doesn’t, start currying every day, and he will get there. It is no secret that in the Iberian industry, the best horses are usually snatched up before they are ever weaned, even in a sluggish economy. This is not a hard and fast rule, and there are more quality yearlings and older horses on the US market than there ever have been. However, savvy buyers know that their next superstar will likely be purchased as a youngster, and they may have held off on winter deals so that they have a chance to claim a fantastic foal. Showcase your best foals as soon as they hit the ground for the best chance to find the foal a great home early in the season. Show season is HORSE season. Whether or not you show, people are reading magazines and looking at horse-related materials more in the spring and summer. They are excited about showing and trail riding with their friends in the nice weather. Use this time wisely to advertise your animals while people are really looking! You can also take a sale horse to a show. Showing a sales horse is a wonderful way to get your horse out in front of the public eye while it is at its very best! Buyers will see that you have a gorgeous winner who has what it takes to be in the ribbons. Even if you don’t show the horse, bring it along with your show string so that visitors in your aisle have a chance to see the horse in person, or even test ride it. The horse world is a small one, and news travels as quickly as gossip. People like to help their friends horse shop. As horse friends convene at shows, if someone is looking for something in particular, they are likely to tell their friends, who may know about your sale horse. Take advantage of the rumor mill and make sure your horse is seen by as many people as possible.

for Selling Horses In Spring & Summer 1. Make sure your horse is well groomed. Keep his muzzle and bridle path clipped, and in the case of a mare, make sure her mane is shaped and tail is neatly shaved. Never present a horse to a seller with more than a week’s worth of hair growth on the muzzle, tail, or bridle path. A sale horse should always look like it is ready to hit the show ring. When a potential buyer comes to see the horse, bathe and groom the horse as though you were sending it to a show, because that may be exactly where the horse is headed once it leaves your property. Show the world that you are a professional. 2. Make sure your horse is fit. A weak looking topline is unattractive on the best of days. It shows a lack of care and/or knowledge on the part of the seller. Having an obese, skinny, or merely unfit horse is certainly not the way to show or sell horses. Make sure your horse is in a regular work schedule and on a great feed program to bring out its best and convince buyers they have found their next champion. 3. Know your market. Staying on top of the current trends is an important part of selling horses. Know what is selling well, and for what kind of price. A horse that is overpriced won’t fool anyone, and will not attract many potential buyers. Underpricing a horse can be equally detrimental. While you may see a generously low price on a great horse as a ticket to a quick sale, buyers may assume there is something seriously wrong with the horse, and they may not bother with an inquiry. Price your horse fairly and buyers will come. If you are willing to part with the horse for a lower price for various reasons, you might want to make mention of this in your ad by stating that you are open to negotiation or special pricing for a particular type of home. 4.

Make sure the horse is up to date on his teeth, vaccinations, coggins, and feet. This is self explanatory.

5. Add some incentives. If you really want to make a quick sale, sweeten the deal. If the horse is a mare, offer her for sale with an option for free breeding at the buyer’s discretion. Additionally, you can sell a mare already in foal for a 2-in-1, but this may be equally limiting if you mare is best marketed as a riding horse, or simply isn’t the best quality for breeding. Offering free delivery within a certain number of miles can be a friendly way to stand out in the crowd. Including tack, blankets, or other useful items can make your horse stand out and entice buyers. Even including a nice halter on the horse when he leaves your property can be an unexpected and welcome final touch that will leave your buyer feeling like they dealt with a quality seller. 6. Take good photographs! Now that most people have some type of camera available to them, there are more amateur photographers taking their own sales photos, and many of them are horrible. Do not underestimate the power of a hired photographer where sales photos are concerned. Show proofs also make great sales photos. If you are taking your own photos, make sure they are sharp , well lit, and that the background is either attractive, or neutral. Good videos demonstrating the horse’s movement are equally important. 7. Be professional. Be on time for appointments, and return phone calls and emails. You may lose a sale if you annoy someone or miss a narrow window of opportunity. 8. And finally, if the idea of selling a horse overwhelms you or discourages you, consider consigning your horse with a knowledgeable breed or discipline-specific trainer. They are not only well-connected, but they can do all the thinking and leg-work for you! A commission is well worth the time and energy that goes into selling a horse.

Breed Show Classes A Quick Guide to Andalusian / Lusitano Source: USEF.org With show season underway, we though it would be a good time to explain what is expected and required for the variety of classes offered at breed shows. In this quick guide, the most common classes are mentioned, but it is not a comprehensive guide to all classes offered. What is the difference between dressage hack and show hack? Read on to find out…. If you have questions about tack and attire, please read “A Quick Guide to Appropriate Tack and Attire” published in the December issue of AndalusianWorld Magazine. Note: The following guidelines are intended as general advice only. Be sure to carefully study the rules for the show you are attending. Rules for IALHA / USEF classes can be found at: https://www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2014/04-AL.pdf

alter Classes Horses enter the arena at a walk in a counter – clockwise direction and strike a trot after 5 or 6 steps. They are required to trot in hand the length of the arena, before taking their place in line. Horses are shown to the judge one by one at a walk and trot in a determined pattern and then are presented to the judge. The horse should stand still while being judged. At the conclusion of judging, the horse returns to the rail at a trot and makes another lap of the arena to resume their place in line. Emphasis shall be placed on type, conformation, quality, way of going, substance and manners. Half Andalusians will be judged on conformation, quality, way of going, substance and Andalusian type, in that order.

**Please note, Purebred Stallions 5 years old and older entered in their respective halter classes must compete in a ridden functionality test which counts as 25% of the horse’s total conformation score. In functionality, horses are shown at working gaits of the walk, trot/jog and canter/lope. Lengthening of gaits may be called for by the judge(s).

est Movement Classes

To be judged on movement only and not conformation. 1. Horses are to be shown In-Hand as they would in a halter class. 2. Four-beat walk showing as much overstep of the front hoofprint by the hind hoofprint as possible. 3. Animated trot with emphasis on extension, suspension and a balanced cadence with impulsion.

Horses are shown at walk and trot both directions of the arena, according to the best movement pattern, which can be found in the USEF rule book and will also be posted at shows.

nglish Pleasure: Formal Saddle Horse 1. Horses must be brought back to the walk before being asked to make the transition from the trot to the canter. 2. The judge may not request that gaits be performed only on the snaffle or curb.

Qualifying Gaits: 1. Animated Walk – A lively, animated and graceful walk that could be loosely termed a four-beat gait, but which does not give the appearance of being a jog or a prance. It should be judged as a separate entity and not merely as a transition gait. 2. Animated Trot – Executed in a highly collected manner. The horse’s energy should be directed toward animation rather

Q 1 2 3 4 5 l

than speed. This gait requires extreme knee flexion and use of the shoulder for a balanced, graceful extension to the point where the horse does not significantly move forward. The hocks should remain well under and be lifted and not driven to the rear. The most desirable animated trot gives a balanced appearance from front and rear. 3. Canter â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A three-beat gait, which is to be collected, animated, true, smooth, unhurried, straight and correct on both leads. Loss of form due to excessive speed must be penalized.

RANGE OF MOTION CHART 4 3 2 1

Key: 1 = Hunt Seat English Pleasure 1 = Pleasure Driving 2 = Country English Pleasure 2 = Country Pleasure Driving 3 = Saddle Seat English Pleasure 3 - Show Pleasure Driving 4 = Formal Saddle English Pleasure 4 = Formal Driving

nglish Pleasure: Saddle Seat Horse 1. Horses must be brought back to the walk before being asked to make the transition between the trot to the canter. 2. The judge may not request that gaits be performed only on the snaffle or the curb. 3. It is imperative that horses give the distinct appearance of being pleasurable to ride and display a pleasurable attitude. Vitality and presence are highly desirable and obedience to the rider of prime importance. All gaits must be performed with willingness and obvious ease, cadence, balance and smoothness. 4. Excessive speed at any gait must be penalized.

Qualifying Gaits: 1. Walk - A four-beat gait, which is to be true, flat-footed and ground covering. 2. Normal Trot - A two-beat gait, which is balanced overall, relaxed, and easy going with elasticity and freedom of movement. 3. Strong trot - To be faster with lengthened stride, maintaining balance, ease and freedom of movement. 4. Canter - A three-beat gait, which is to be smooth, unhurried, straight and correct on both leads. 5. Hand Gallop - To be a faster gait, with a lengthened stride. It should be mannerly and controlled, straight and correct on both leads.

ountry English Pleasure 1. A judge may not request that gaits be performed only on the snaffle or curb. 2. It is mandatory that horses be asked to halt on the rail, stand quietly, back and walk off on a loose rein, at least one direction of the arena. 3. It is imperative that the horse gives the distinct appearance of being a pleasure to ride. A quiet, responsive mouth is paramount. 4. Horses must be brought back to the walk before being asked to make the transition from

the trot to the canter. 5. Excessive speed at any gait must be penalized. Qualifying Gaits: 1. All gaits must be performed with willingness and obvious ease, cadence, balance and smoothness. 2. Walk - A four-beat gait. To be true, flat-footed and ground covering. 3. Normal Trot - A two-beat gait. To be an overall balanced, relaxed, easy going trot with elasticity and freedom of movement. High action MUST be penalized. Posting is required. 4. Strong Trot - A two-beat gait. To be faster with lengthened stride, maintaining balance, ease and freedom of movement. High action MUST be penalized. Posting is required. 5. Canter - A three-beat gait. To be smooth, unhurried, straight and correct on both leads. 6. Hand Gallop - To be a faster gait, with a lengthened stride. It should be mannerly and controlled, straight and correct on both leads.

nglish Pleasure Hunt Seat 1. Manes and tails may be braided. 2. Excessive speed at any gait must be penalized.

Qualifying Gaits: 1. It is imperative that the horse give the distinct appearance of being a pleasure to ride and display a pleasurable and relaxed attitude. The neck should be carried lower than that of an English Saddle Seat horse with the head in a more relaxed manner with less bend at the poll. 2. Walk - A four-beat gait. Straight, true and flat-footed. Regular and unconstrained with

good reach. 3. Trot - A two-beat gait. Straight and regular. The trot should be mannerly, cadenced and balanced. To be performed at a medium speed with a free-moving, ground-covering stride, with rider posting. 4. Canter - A three-beat gait. Even, smooth, unhurried, correct and straight on both leads. 5. Hand Gallop - To be a faster gait, with a lengthened stride. It should be mannerly and controlled, straight and correct on both leads.

ressage Suitability 1. Exhibitors may be asked to lengthen or shorten strides, walk on a loose rein, halt, stand quietly and back. 2. Horses should give the appearance of having the potential to become a dressage horse. Horses which have competed above First Level Dressage are not eligible to compete in Dressage Suitability. Slight errors should not be penalized. 3. Trot work to be ridden sitting or rising at the discretion of the rider.

Qualifying Gaits: 1. Walk - A four-beat gait. Straight, flat-footed and ground covering. Irregularity of gait should be penalized. 2. Trot - A two-beat gait. The trot should be free, forward and balanced. The hocks well flexed with the hind legs stepping over the foot print of the front foot. Speed is not a factor; the trot should never be hurried. 3. Canter - A three-beat gait. The canter should show impulsion, balance and engagement. The horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back must be relaxed

and supple allowing the hindquarters to reach under and work with moderate power and drive. The horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s neck should be relaxed and carried in a natural position for each individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conformation. The class shall be judged on freedom, regularity and purity of the paces; harmony, lightness and ease of movements; lightness of the forehand and engagement of the hindquarters; acceptance of the bridle with submissiveness throughout, without tension or resistance. Horses are judged on gaits, type and correctness, and manners consistent with United States Dressage Federation (USDF) and Federation rules. Classes may be divided for Open, Amateur, Junior Exhibitor, Stallions, Mares, Geldings and Junior Horses. Slight errors should not be penalized.

ressage Hack 1. The Dressage Hack class is open to any horse, however, once a horse has been entered and shown in a Dressage Hack class that horse may not thereafter be shown in a Dressage Suitability Class. 2. Manes and tails may be braided, secured with thread, yarn or bands. Ribbons or other decorations are prohibited.

Qualifying Gaits: 1. Horses to enter at a working trot, in a counter clockwise direction. Horses will perform working walk, working trot, working canter, lengthened trot and lengthened canter both ways of the arena. Free walk and working trot on long rein with horse stretching forward and down to be performed in at least one direction. Horses may be asked to back four (4) steps on the rail as a group or individually in the lineup. Canter transitions may be called from a walk or trot. 2. Trot work to be ridden sitting or rising at the discretion of the rider. 1. Classes may be divided for Open, Amateur, Junior Exhibitor, Stallions, Mares and Geldings. If classes are divided, a Championship is recommended. A horse must have been entered, shown and judged in a qualifying class to be eligible for the Champion- ship class. 2. In addition to objectives for the Dressage Suitability class, horses should begin to show more thrust (pushing power) and show progression towards a degree of balance and throughness. Horse should be reliably on the bit. A greater degree of straightness, bending, suppleness and throughness is required. There should be a clear distinction between the paces (working and lengthened). The horseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability as a Dressage mount is to be highly considered.

how Hack 1. A judge may not request that gaits be performed only on snaffle or curb. 2. The collected and extended gaits must be called for; i.e., collected walk, extended walk, normal walk; collected trot, extended trot, normal trot; collected canter, extended canter, normal canter and hand gallop. 3. At the discretion of the judge, horses while on the rail may be asked to halt and back. 4. A Show Hack horse is not necessarily a Dressage horse, nor an English Pleasure horse. Elevation and high knee action are not to be emphasized. The Show Hack is a suitable section for

the well trained animal. Show Hacks must be balanced and show vitality, animation, presence, clean fine limbs and supreme quality. Soundness is required. 5. Horses may show with a braided mane and tail. Braids maybe secured with tape, yarn or rubber bands. 6. Decorations are prohibited. 7. Excessive speed must be penalized. Qualifying Gaits: 1. A Show Hack horse shall be able to perform all of the gaits with a noticeable transition between the normal, collected, and extended gaits. The horse must be under complete control and easily ridden. Obedience to the rider is of prime importance.

If the horse exhibits clear transitions in a balanced and level manner, appearing to be giving a comfortable and pleasurable ride, he is performing correctly for this class. 2. Walk - A four-beat gait. Straight, true and flat-footed. Normal Walk: Regular and unconstrained, moving energetically and calmly forward. Collected Walk: Strides are shorter and higher than at the normal walk. The head approaches the vertical, but should never move behind it. Pacing is a serious fault. Extended Walk: The horse is allowed to lengthen frame and stride while rider maintains light rein contact. The horse should cover as much ground as possible without rushing. 3. Trot - A two-beat gait. Free-moving, straight, rider maintaining light contact with horse’s mouth at all times. Normal Trot: Light, crisp, balanced and cadenced. Collected Trot: The horse’s stride is shorter and lighter, maintaining balance and impulsion. The neck is more raised and arched than at the normal trot as head approaches the vertical line, never moving behind it. Extended Trot: Maintaining the same cadence and performing at medium speed, the horse lengthens its stride as a result of greater impulsion from the hindquarters. Horse should remain light in rider’s hand as it lengthens its frame. Trot work to be ridden sitting or rising at the discretion of the rider. 4. Canter - A three-beat gait. Straight on both leads, smooth. Normal Canter: Light, even strides, should be moved into without hesitation. Collected Canter: Marked by the lightness of the forehand and the engagement of the hindquarters, the collected canter is characterized by supple, free shoulders. Neck is more raised and arched than in normal canter as the head approaches the vertical line, never moving behind it. Ex- tended Canter: Maintaining the same cadence, the horse lengthens its stride as a result of greater impulsion from the hindquarters. Horse should remain light in rider’s hand as it lengthens its frame. 5. Hand Gallop - To be a faster gait, with a lengthened stride. It should be mannerly and controlled, straight and correct on both leads.

estern Pleasure 1. Horses are to be reversed to the inside (away from the rail) and will not be asked to reverse at the lope. 2. Light hand contact with the horse’s mouth must be maintained at all gaits without undue restraint. 3. Only one hand may be used around the reins, and hands must not be changed. Two hands may be used when a Junior Horse is being shown in a snaffle bit or hackamore. 4. The horse must be ridden with the horse’s eyes generally at or above the withers in all gaits.

5. Excessive speed at any gait must be penalized. Qualifying Gaits 1. Horses are to be shown at a walk, jog-trot and lope on a reasonably loose rein both ways of the ring. Exception: Open classes, horses are to be shown at a walk, jog-trot, lope and hand gallop on a reasonably loose rein both ways of the ring. 2. Walk - A four-beat gait. True, flat-footed and ground-covering. 3. Jog-Trot - A two-beat gait. Free, square, slow and easy. 4. Lope - A true three-beat gait. Smooth, slow, easy and straight on both leads. 5. Hand Gallop - To be a faster gait, with a lengthened stride. It should be mannerly and controlled, straight and correct on both leads.

how Pleasure Driving: 1. One person per vehicle allowed. 2. Excessive speed must be penalized. 3. High, natural and free moving action is desirable. 4. The Show Pleasure horse generally has less animation than the Formal Harness horse but should still be alert and responsive.

ormal Driving: 1. One person per vehicle allowed. 2. Formal Driving horses are not required to back.

Qualifying Gaits: 1. Animated Walk - A lively, animated and graceful walk that could be loosely termed a four-beat gait, but which does not give the appearance of being a jog or a prance. It should be judged as a separate entity and not merely as a transition gait. 2. Animated Trot - Executed in a highly collected manner. The horse’s energy should be directed toward animation rather than speed. This gait requires extreme knee flexion and use of the shoulder for balanced, graceful extension. It is most desirable that a horse go above “level arm” but it is not desirable to lose extension to the point where the horse does not significantly move forward. The hocks should remain well under and be lifted and not driven to the rear. The most desirable animated trot gives a balanced appearance from front and rear. 3. At the command “show your horse” the driver has the privilege of showing the entry to its best advantage at the trot, but excessive speed must be penalized. Qualifying Gaits: Walk - A highly collected four-beat gait exhibiting much “primp” at a slow, regulated speed, with good action and animation. It should have snap and easy control. It is a four-beat gait performed with great style, elegance and airiness of motion. Normal Trot - Natural and cadenced with impulsion and power from behind, the front airy and light. The action is balanced, bold and brilliant, characterized by free shoulder action. The horse is to have leg flexion with extension, the foreleg extending fully forward at full stretch with floating motion combined with hock action that is powerful and well raised, and the hind leg being brought forward with a driving stride. 3. Strong Trot - A strong trot is to be faster with a lengthened stride, maintaining balance, ease and freedom of movement.

ountry Pleasure Driving: 1. Walk - A highly collected four-beat gait exhibiting much “primp” at a slow, regulated speed, with good action and animation. It should have snap and easy control. It is a four-beat gait performed with great style, elegance and airiness of motion. 2. Normal Trot - Natural and cadenced with impulsion and power from behind, the front airy and light. The action is balanced, bold and brilliant, characterized by free shoulder action. The horse is to have leg flexion with extension, the foreleg extending fully forward at full stretch with floating motion combined with hock action that is powerful and well raised,

and the hind leg being brought forward with a driving stride. 3. Strong Trot - A strong trot is to be faster with a lengthened stride, maintaining balance, ease and freedom of movement. 1. It is imperative that the horse give the distinct impression of being a pleasure to drive and display a pleasurable attitude. To this end, all gaits must be performed with willingness and obvious ease, cadence, balance and smoothness. 2. Excessive knee action must be penalized. 3. Excessive speed must be penalized. Qualifying Gaits: Walk - A four-beat gait, brisk, true, and flat-footed with good reach. 2. Normal Trot - A two-beat gait, to be performed at medium speed with moderate collection. The normal trot must be mannerly, cadenced, balanced and free-moving. 3. Strong Trot - This is a stronger trot, performed with a lengthened stride, powerful and reaching, at a rate of speed which may vary between horses since each horse should attain his own strong trot in harmony with his own maximum natural stride. The horse must not be strung out behind. The horse should show moderate collection without exaggeratedly high action in front. He must present a willing attitude while maintaining form. The strong trot must be mannerly, cadenced, balanced and free-moving.

leasure Driving: This is the ideal class for the driving horse who carries himself in an Andalusian/ Lusitano hunter pleasure type frame. 2. Excessive knee action and/or speed must be penalized.

Qualifying Gaits: 1. Walk - A four-beat gait, which is to be true, flat-footed and ground covering. 2. Normal Trot - A two-beat gait, which is balanced overall, relaxed and easy going with elasticity and freedom of movement. 3. Strong Trot - A strong trot is to be faster with a lengthened stride, maintaining balance, ease and freedom of movement. 4. It is imperative that the horse give the distinct impression of being a pleasure to drive. A quiet, responsive mouth is paramount. All gaits must be performed with willingness and obvious ease, cadence, balance and smoothness.

eritage Tack and Attire: Entrants must submit a narrative not to exceed one minute in length to be read by the announcer during the class describing and the period and heritage it represents. 1. Exhibitors shall enter the ring in a counterclockwise direction at the trot. 2. Exhibitors shall show their horses at the walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. Entries shall be judged 70% attire and 30% on performance.

MARKETING 101

Most people consider marketing and advertising to be one in the same. The reality is that advertising is just one small component to the equation. When we meet someone new, we are marketing ourselves as friendly, funny, intelligent, and so on. At work we also market ourselves for promotion by our work habits, quality of work, and dedication. Though we may have different names for such interactions, they are still marketing, but on a personal level. So what is Marketing? Marketing is the sum of all actions we take related to our business, product, service, etc. Okay, so all you want to do is get out there and ride in the shows. Well that is marketing too! Would you show your horse unclipped and dirty? Show up in cut off jeans and dirty tank top? I didn’t think so. All of the conditioning, tack selections, wardrobe choices, and preparation are part of us marketing ourselves and horses to the judges. So why is marketing important? When you represent a horse, a barn, a product, or a service, everything you do is a reflection of it. Let that sink in a minute. This includes everything from the presentation of our barns and the quality of our ads, to the pictures that you post of Facebook. The attention that we put into marketing should be as thought out as your preparation for a show. Branding: “a “name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of them intended to identify the goods and services of one seller” Perhaps the greatest names in branding are McDonalds, Nike, AT&T. We know their product simply by the sight of a logo or a combination of colors. For anyone who has been to an Andalusian/Lusitano breed show, many examples should come to mind. From the branding on the horses, to the custom color coded halters, E-Z Ups, and adornments, each ranch is “waving” its flag, projecting its brand. 70

ative Tack and Attire: 1. Exhibitors shall enter the ring in a counterclockwise direction at the trot and shall show their horses at the walk, trot and canter both ways of the ring. 2. Entries are to be judged 50% on tack and attire and 50% on performance.

antasy Costume: 1. Excessive speed must be penalized. 2. Exhibitors may be asked to halt and stand quietly. 3. Light hand contact must be maintained. 4. Lineup position is at the discretion of the judge. 5. It will be at the judge’s discretion to decide if a costume is unsafe and cause for elimination. 6. No walkers allowed. Flags, bards, and /or banners are permitted. Qualifying Gaits: 1. Exhibitors to enter the ring at a walk in a counterclockwise direction. 2. All horses shall be worked at a walk and trot both ways of the ring.

See you at the Show! It is the consistency in branding that leaves a lasting impression in others. Much like the saying “Show me, don’t tell me”. Advertising: Beyond the show ring, this is how we get noticed, and remembered. Advertising is what builds your image. It includes your barn setup, arena banners, your show performance, web advertising, magazine ads, and even your Facebook posts and pictures. Anything that can cause an outside observer to develop an opinion about you. The quality and thought that goes into your “advertising” is VERY important!! The thrown together ad with the cell phone pictures, poor type, and poor layout will reflect itself as the quality of attention that you give to training, breeding, nutrition, etc., true or not. On the other hand, a professional looking advertisement represents the quality and attention to detail that people are looking for when making an investment. Your photo choices (and photoshop skills) should receive the same level of professionalism, and literally make the difference between a $5000 horse and a $25000 horse. A bad advertisement or photo can do you more harm than good! Effective marketing doesn’t have to be painful or even expensive, but it does require some thought to use it wisely. You have invested a lot of time, effort, and money into this industry. Shouldn’t those efforts receive the same representation and acknowledgement?

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Does your Horse need to see a Specialist? By Dr. Kemper, West Coast Equine Many horses do because they have developed illnesses or injuries that require advanced treatments beyond what your primary veterinarian can provide. A specialist is a board certified veterinarian in a particular area of interest. In addition to completing undergraduate training and four years of veterinary school, board-certified veterinary specialists are similar to their human medical counterparts in that they have completed an internship and residency in their specialized field (an additional 3-5 years training). In addi-tion to this extensive training, a board-certified veterinary specialist must pass rigorous examinations to achieve board certification. Specialists bring a greater understanding in their area of expertise and have a greater knowledge of the unusual, the uncommon, or rare medical or surgical conditions. A specialist in the area of internal medicine, commonly called an Internist, focuses on diagnosing and treating diseases of the internal systems. A board certified surgeon has completed a residency where there are specific training and caseload requirements that must be met. They have worked closely with faculty surgeons on difficult surgeries insuring their abilities to work on the most complicated surgical cases. Most board certified specialists work at large hospitals or referral centers; therefore, in addition to having advanced surgical and medical training, they also have access to state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and support staff. Board-certified specialists work closely with the owner and the primary veterinarian before and after consultation in a team approach to insure continuity of care for your horse. Veterinary specialists are dedicated to providing the very best in compassionate surgical and medical care. They also act as a resource for your primary veterinarian by providing consultations on difficult or unusual cases. With their advanced training, these specialists offer expertise that ensures the best possible outcome for the horse and horse owner. Horses deserve the very best care possible.Â Just as humans are treated by specialists for a variety of medical reasons, horses should be treated by veterinary specialists when advanced care is warranted. West Coast Equine Hospital is the only equine hospital in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties that have both a board certified surgeon and internist. Dr. Kent Sullivan and Dr. Deborah Kemper have been practicing veterinary medicine for over 20 years and have a tremendous amount of experience in their areas of expertise. Many difficult cases demand the teamwork approach from both a medicine and surgical specialist that is offered from West Coast Equine Hospital. If you feel your horse may benefit from a consultation from the Doctors at West Coast Equine, feel free to give us a call.

SMART

Headstalls Choosing the Proper Headstall for a Snaffle Bit & Getting a correct fit

I have always noticed the small things that people tend to do when it comes to their horses and their choice of equipment, and I... have to ask myself, “Do they not know or do they just not care?” Watching people ride in the warm up at a recent show I noticed the number of riders that have the improper headstall for the bit that they are using. Headstalls were designed with a specific purpose in mind, to keep the bit hanging in the proper position in your horse’s mouth and to allow you to pull on the reins and not have the headstall slip over their ears. The hardest to thing to overlook, from a safety standpoint is when one is riding a horse around with a snaffle bit hung on a headstall that has no throat latch. When pulling on the reins, a headstall that has no throat latch and brow band will tend to lift off of the horse’s poll and possibly slip off over their ears. The throat latch and brow band is designed to keep the headstall in the proper position by securing it behind the horses jaw and across the forehead just in front of the ears. The throat latch should be adjusted with 2-3 fingers width between it and the horses throat latch. If using a bit that has leverage, a one ear or split ear headstall will be fine since they are being used with a curb chain. The leverage bit, when pulled on, rocks forward in the horse’s mouth. This allows the curb chain to apply pressure under the chin and slight pressure over the horse’s poll, keeping the headstall in place. Also for the sake of safety, I like to ride all of my snaffle bits with a slobber strap attached to each ring that runs under the horses chin. This is so I am able to pull the bit left or right without having the rings slide around into the horse’s mouth where we lose control. I will also tend to ride all of my horses with a cavasson or nose band to keep them from gapping their mouth open and trying to get away from the bit pressure. The nose band is not used to keep the horses mouth tied shut; it is just an aid that allows the bit to function properly without allowing any bad habits to start. It is always easier to keep a problem from starting than to have to go back and figure out how to correct it. Proper fit for a snaffle bit depends on the horse’s mouth conformation. I will start a colt in the round pen with the bit hanging a little lower in the horse’s mouth so that the colt learns how to carry the bit with their tongue. Once I start riding I will pull the bit up so that I have 1-2 slight wrinkles on each corner of the colt’s mouths. Remember that there is no perfect bit. The bit is only as good as the riders hands that are using it. As Always; Ride Hard, Be Safe, Have Fun.

Proper Bridle Storage

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The Feira do Cavalos, or National Horse Fair of Portugal, is held in the city of Golega each November. A celebration of the Lusitano breed, it is considered to be one of the word’s premiere equestrian events, and is certainly a world heritage treasure. The center of the town is turned into a parade and exhibition ring, and delights spectators from all over the world with its classic Iberian old world flair. The Golega Feria is well known for its displays of authentic Portuguese horsemanship, tack and attire, and the finest Lusitano horses in the world. The Golega Horse Fair is not an event to be missed by any world traveler or Iberian horse aficionado!

A Night in Golega By Anne Nanej

Anne traveled to Portugal in 2013 with her cousin, Allison Mathy, and her friend Carlos Carniero. Last November a group of seven friends and soon to be friends took a trip to Portugal. We all met up at our mutual friend’s, Carlos Carniero, family farm in Lousada called Classical Equines. We spent a few days there riding and relaxing, and then headed south towards Lisbon. Carlos, acting as our trusted guide took us to some of the best riding schools in Portugal. We visited the Queluz National Palace and the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art. We strolled the beautiful gardens and toured the riding school stables and training arenas. The architecture and horses were amazing. The rid riders, friends of Carlos’, were so inviting and friendly that it made the experience even more memorable. After stopping at Nuno Oliveira’s home and stables then Luis Valenca’s destiriding school, where Carlos learned to ride then, made our way towards our final desti nation, the National Horse Fair in Golega. Carlos and his family have been taking horses from his farm to Golega for years, so he knew where to go, where to stay, who to visit. He was an intricate part in making our first experience the best it could have been. As we pulled into town, we passed the archfamous horse statue with breeder’s brands placed all around and drove under the arch way into the beginning of four days at the Nacional Feria do Cavalo 2013! Now, imagine the most extensive, passionate, calm but chaotic, traditional equine event you can think of then, remove all safety gear, throw in stallions and mares, and multiply by 100. That was Golega. The town was built centered around horses and humans coming together for 11 days to celebrate all things horse and country. The air was smoky. Thick, grey, nutty smoke billowed from the center of town, hiding the starry night sky. We wove our way through brimming streets lined with busy vendors and saw a small, older woman vigorously turning chestnuts on a large metal roaster. Men-women, young-old and children were all patiently waiting for their white paper cone filled to the top with the warm toasted goodness. Entire families came out to partake in the festivities. The streets were overflowing with merry people and brave horses. Dressed in traditional garb, mounted on noble steeds, riders brushed our shoulders as they passed by. The jingle jangle of 78

carriage bells warned the populated streets to move aside as they cautiously maneuvered through to the “race” track around the center of town. Carriages pulled by teams of courageous Lusitano mares, regal Friesians, and the occasional prancing pony whirled by toting cargoes of joyous friends and families to join the parade of equestrians on the wide dirt track. Lining the track, distinguished breeders displayed their pristine horses in custom barns and stalls that resembled traditional Portuguese elegance which inspired Ralph Lauren. They were decorated with dark cherry wood, red and green plaid benches, gold topped tie posts, blue and white hand painted tiles, gold and crystal beverage trays. Curious spectators and nosy fans were welcomed to touch and walk through the stables admiring the beauty they discovered undisturbed. The greys of Manuel Tavares Veiga, the ebony horses of Ortigao Costa, the beautiful horses of Torres Vas Freire, all the best horses were there. As we wangled our way towards the bustling center we crossed the sea of riders and carriages on the track to worm our way through the crowds of spectators on the other side. The fashionable equestrian catwalk behind us, the heavens opened in front of us. Like a dream, the middle of town opened up to a glowing grand arena filled with beautiful dancing horses. We immediately fell in love. It’s hard not to. We were looking at Portugal’s finest horses, not just a one or two, but everywhere! That night we saw the exquisite riders of the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art and the brilliant performance from legendary Luis Valenca and his amazing riders. They were visually and technically stunning. As the evening turned into night and as the masters completed their shows, we turned our attention to the ever growing hum of hoof beats behind us. The busy track was glowing with energy. It was as though the Feria had surged. Spectators watched as it filled itself with companions; carriages, riders, performers, children, couples riding double all riding brave, well-behaved stallions, mares and ponies. What seemed chaos was not; both riders and mounts moved with ease and class without altercation or accident. After ogling the scene, Carlos, generously and easily managed to arrange our entrance into the bustling cavalcade. On powerful steeds, we pranced around weaving in and out of other riders, pe pedestrians and carriages and then returned our horses and sought out another willing party. The night carried on and men began to line up side by side in front of the bursting bars. No need to dismount, these gallant gents confidently rode right up to get food and drink. Discos seemed to pop-up unexpectedly on every street. Younger

crowds scoured looking for the better scene – techno to flamenco, there was something for everyone. We moved through the fair, twisting our way towards the inviting home of Felipe, a friend of Carlos’. Just as everyone else had been, Felipe quickly made us feel at home and welcome. As we toured his home we stepped out the back door, glasses of wine in hand, only to discover a band of men and 5 stunning Lusitanos. Three stalls, wash racks, hay and a carriage were all meticulously situated within 10 feet of the house. Men dressed to the hilt looking as though they just stepped out of fields in their traditional Portuguese attire, handsomely offered their Lusitano horses to us. We rode through the crowded streets bumping shoulders with party goers on our steady steeds. There were many houses just like this one. Horses seemed to come out of the woodwork. Living side by side with these animals during the fair just seemed natural. In the wee hours of the morning, we headed our way towards our lodging. We spent all day riding, eating delicious food, drinking wine, shopping, magnificent performances and competitions, and meeting some of the most welcoming and generous people. As we settled in, we could hear the hoof beats on the stone roads outside our French window. It was late, around 4 am, but the celebration was only just beginning to fizzle. As I look back to the competition, the performances, the people, the amazing horses, the culture, I can see why the “Feria Nacional do Cavalo” is considered the mecca of the genuine Lusitanian Horse. The entire experience was memorable. I would say a once in a lifetime, but I want to visit again! Of course the exceptional horses everywhere was a highlight of the festival, watching the competitions and performances was historic, but the best part, for me, was the people. Everyone was so accommodating. They invited us into their homes, trusted us with their horses and were so helpful and friendly. Everyone came out with the entire family, from grandparents to grandchildren to celebrate the horse. Everyone was included. It seemed to make the feria much more meaningful and added so much to the tradition of the fair. Golega was amazing and definitely an adventure, I would go again in a heartbeat.

Iberian Horse Colors 101

Iberian horses have a medley of unusual colors some breed aficionados may be surprised to see! For the most part, gray is the predominant phenotype (outward appearance) found in both Spanish and Portuguese horses. Lusitanos are famous for having a wider variety of coloration, but as it turns out, despite the culling, pure Spanish horses have in fact retained the same unusual colorations found in their Portuguese relatives. As the studbooks were split less than 50 years ago and many of these colors historically existed in Spain without any help from Lusitanos, it is not unremarkable to believe that a number of unusual colors have “hidden” behind gray or even black for the last few decades. Spain has recently lifted the rule that precluded horses of any color other than gray, black and bay from entering the studbook. Chestnut, cream, pearl, silver dapple, classic roan (Lusitanos only), sabino, and rabicano have all reappeared, and have been confirmed with DNA testing. They somehow managed to survive, and are now allowed in the studbook again. Leopard spotting, which actually originated on the Iberian peninsula and was confirmed to exist there as far back as 30,000 years ago, and tobiano coat patterns are thought to been permanently eradicated from the gene pool. We are now seeing a worldwide “color fad” in which unusually colored horses are highly sought after and are being bred for specifically, sometimes to the detriment of the horses’ type and quality. However, as time goes on, more and more quality horses of unusual colors are making their way into more and more stables worldwide. Here is a guide to help you sort through the color jargon.

Vocabulary:

Homozygous - Two copies of the same gene. Will pass to 100% of offspring. Heterozgous - One copy of the same gene. Will pass to 50% of offspring. Phenotype - The outward appearance of an animal Genotype - The genetics of an animal, which may be hidden beneath a phenotype Dominant - A gene which will express itself when present in only one copy Recessive - A gene which will hide under the animal’s phenotype, unless present in two copies Double Dilute - Two copies of the Cream gene

ray

The gray gene is dominant, which means it will be expressed whether or not there are two copies. Gray can appear on any “base” coat color, and will eventually turn the horse completely white. Gray horses may be prone to melanomas and should be carefully monitored for unusual growths. Gray horses are born with their base coat color, and will lighten in a variety of different patterns and time frames. Some horses take decades to gray, while others may be gray before they turn a year old. Homozygosity may play a role in the rate of graying. Coat color tests describe the gray gene with a capital “G” when present, and a lowercase “g” when absent. A homozygous gray horse will be designated as “GG”. A heterozygous horse will be designated as “Gg”, and a non graying horse will be designated as “gg” Gray Suppression There is a gray suppression gene recently discovered and confirmed to exist in Iberian horses. This gene may cause a gray horse to appear to be rabicano, or it may prevent the horse from graying altogether, but the horse can still have gray offspring. More research is pending.

lack, and Red Factor (Black and Chestnut)

The presence or absence of the dominant Extension gene is responsible for red/black factor coats. If the Extension gene is present (one or two copies) the horse will be black. If absent, the horse will be chestnut. Chestnut and Black are the two “base” colors associated with horses, and a number of modifiers and dilutions will alter the horse’s phenotype and change its coat color.

Black based coats include: bay, buckskin, smoky black, smoky cream, and perlino. These horses will always carry one or more copies of Extension. Red based coats include: chestnut, palomino, and cremello. These horses never carry Extension. In a coat color test, Extension is designated as the letter “E”. A horse homozygous for the Extension gene will be described as “EE”. A black horse heterozygous for Extension will be described as “Ee”. A chestnut horse without Extension will appear on a test as “ee”.

gouti (Bay)

the Agouti (ah-goo-tee) gene is named for a large South American rodent of the same color. It is the dominant gene which causes a horse to be bay. A bay coat is the result of one or two copies of Agouti modifying a black coat. A Chestnut horse can carry agouti without expressing it, since Agouti only affects black pigment. In a coat color test, Agouti is designated as the letter “A” A homozygous horse will be described as “AA”. Heterozygous horses will be designated as “Aa” and horses who do not carry Agouti will be described as “aa”.

ream

Cream is an incomplete dominant gene, meaning that while it is expressed when heterozygous, two copies will magnify the effect on the base coat. Horses heterozygous for cream will be Buckskin (on bay), Palomino (on chestnut) or Smokey Black (hidden behind a black phenotype). Homozygous horses will be Perlino (on bay), Cremello (on chestnut) or Smokey Cream (on black). On a coat color test, Cream is described as “Cr”. A homozygous horse will be described as “Cr Cr” and a heterozygous horse will be “Cr cr”, and a horse lacking cream will test as “cr cr”. A horse homozygous for cream is described as a “double dilute”.

earl

Pearl is a newly discovered recessive gene which was first identified in the bay Andalusian stallion, Bravio. Pearl is recessive, so it “hides” beneath a horse’s phenotype when heterozygous. When homozygous, however, Pearl will make a horse with any base color appear to be a double dilute, and has no doubt been the source of a great deal of hand wringing and double checking of breeding documents. Interestingly, Pearl occupies the same location on a horse’s chromosome as Cream. This means that a horse cannot carry more than one copy of Cream if it also has Pearl, and visa versa. Even more interestingly, these two genes interact. A horse that has both Cream and Pearl will resemble a double dilute. Pearl horses can be visually identified by green eyes, and a purplish hue to the skin around the muzzle and genitals. Subtle mottling of the purplish skin may also be present. There are several horses carrying the Pearl gene in the US, but they are still quite uncommon. Coat color tests designate Pearl as “Pr”. Homozygous appears as “PrPr”, heterozygotes will test as “Prpr” and horses lacking Pearl will test as “prpr”

ilver Dapple

Silver dapple is an extraordinarily rare dilution, so far only confirmed to exist in PRE horses in Germany. Because it is so rare, it is often misidentified as flaxen chestnut, and will likely appear more frequently now that it is more widely tested for. In fact, Spain is now testing for Silver as part of its routine coat color testing. Silver Dapple only affects black pigments. A black horse will have a black coat, with a lightened mane and tail, and a bay horse will have a brown coat with a lightened mane and tail. Dark points around the ears, muzzle, and knees will still be present. Chestnut horses are not thought to be affected. Silver Dapple causes blindness when homozygous, and is likely the reason for the rarity of the color in all breeds. American horses with Silver Dapple include Morgan horses, Quarter horses, and Rocky Mountain horses, all breeds with roots in Spain. “Silver Dapple” is sometimes confused with dapple gray horses who have been informally described as “silver” and “dappled”, but this fanciful description has nothing to do with the Silver Dapple dilution, just as gray horses who are described as ‘white” have nothing to do with Dominant White (not found in Iberians). Silver dapple, in combination with gray, will cause the horse to turn gray far more rapidly than is normal, often leaving a horse completely white before it is even weaned. Silver Dapple is described by coat color tests as “Z”. Homozygous horses are “ZZ”, heterozygous horses are “Zz” and horses lacking in Silver are “zz”.

C S

lassic Roan Classic Roan is a dominant gene, and has been confirmed in Lusitano horses in The United States. Classic roan is extraordinarily rare in Iberians. Anecdotal evi-dence suggests that Classic Roan will cause a gray horse to turn gray faster. abino Sabino describes a complicated group of genes, only one of which is testable. Sabino causes white markings which may include socks and stockings, as well as belly spots and even larger irregular white pinto markings. Roan patterning, especially around the belly and flanks is common with sabino. Only Sabino -1 can be tested for.

abicano Rabicano created limited roaning, often around the belly and flanks of the horse. Telltale white hairs around the base of the tail are often a givaway for Rabicano. Belly patches and other white markings may accompany Rabicano. Common Misconceptions Dun does not exist in Iberian horses, and dubious examples have never been confirmed with color testing at the time of this publication. The leg barring and dorsal stripes found on many Iberian horses is not Dun, nor does it test as anything in particular. These markings are in fact ordinary countershading, and not dun. While this type of countershading may turn out to be unique to Iberian horses, it is certainly not dun, it does not test, and it doesn’t modify coat colors. A horse which is turning gray one white hair at a time is very common, and it is not Roan. It is Gray. At this time, there is no confirmed Champagne gene in Iberian horses.

Events

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Excalibur: Finding Nobilisimo Tournament of Kings - Excalibur Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV Part 2 – Finding Nobilisimo For those of you who are not familiar with it, Tournament of Kings is one of the longest running dinner shows in Las Vegas. We had an opportunity to not only see the show, but get a backstage look and behind the scenes interviews.(See : Tournament of Kings Part One) In August of last year, Tournament of Kings “reinvented” the show with vibrant new costumes for the cast and additions to the already lavish set design. As part of this new look, Ivan Caulier, company coordinator and stunt coordinator for Tournament of Kings, set out to find the perfect “Prince” horse for the show. This horse needed to command attention from the crowd and posses the wow factor. His natural choice - an Andalusian, of course! Ivan is no stranger to the Iberian breed, having worked with Andalusians in previous productions he has been involved with all over the world. When asked why he wanted an Andalusian for the new Prince horse, he stated that they have many unique qualities that contribute to their star status. He cited the physical attributes such as the high set neck, the long mane and tail and graceful way of moving make them a natural fit for the show. But the even temperament, pride and elegant profile are what really sets them apart from other breeds. Words such as grace and nobility come to mind when you look at an Andalusian and it is a little known fact that during wartimes, the airs above the ground movements were actually used to evade enemies. On the first trip to California to search for this new horse, Excalibur representatives looked at many horses, but didn’t find one that was a perfect fit. The horse not only had to have fire and presence, but be calm enough to deal with everything that goes along with being in the show, including lights, pyrotechnics and mounted sword fights. After their return to Las Vegas, they were sent video of a horse by the name of Nobilisimo, owned by Henry and Maureen Guitierrez. He had not been offered for sale on their first trip, so after viewing the video and everyone agreeing this horse had what they were looking for, the team flew back out to California for the “test ride”. All went well and it was decided that this beautiful and talented bay Andalusian stallion would be added to Tournament of Kings. His previous owners were very happy that he would be going to a home where he would be well taken care of have a chance to continue performing, which he loves!

Tournament of Kings: Part 2 90

He had previously been used in parades and for exhibitions and has always enjoyed being in the spotlight. We caught up with Travis King (an eleven year veteran of the show) backstage, who plays Prince Christopher and is Nobilisimo’s partner. Prior to coming to work at Excalibur, he was riding on the UNLV rodeo team and was invited by Ivan to come and audition for the show after he saw Travis ride. He grew up on a ranch and had worked almost exclusively with Quarter Horses before being introduced to Nobilisimo. In comparison, he finds the Andalusian very “spirited, regal and noble” and says that he “enjoys riding him very much”. Although they didn’t get along perfectly at first, as it was quite a change for Travis going from riding a western horse to a “dancing” horse, they now have a strong bond. He has ridden him for the past eight months, since he arrived at the show and has been working with Jose Luis Flores, Excalibur’s horse trainer, to perfect his cues for piaffe and passage. After Nobilisimo arrived, a second Andalusian, Prusio, was also purchased and is used in the show as well. He is also used as a Prince horse, and fills in on Nobilisimo and Travis’s days off. A third Andalusian is currently in training and will be added to the show soon. Ivan says these horses are the perfect fit for the show, bringing star quality and charisma to the stage. Ivan and the producer of Tournament of Kings agree that adding more Andalusians to the show will be in their future plans. They have also hinted that the show itself is going to be reworked sometime in the near future, with Andalusians possibly taking a more prominent role. Look for announcements regarding this in the future! For an opportunity to see Nobilisimo and Prusio perform in Tournament of Kings, visit: Excalibur Hotel & Casino Tournament of Kings For more behind the scenes photos, visit the AndalusianWorld Facebook Page

The Spiral of Training nin

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It was not until I heard Axel Steiner lecturing and he echoed what had been bouncing around in my mind for quite some time, that I finally decided to take pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).

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If you have been in the dressage world for any period of time, you have probably heard of the Pyramid of Training, also called the Training Scale. It is a staple of dressage instruction worldwide and posters of this pyramid hang on hundreds of tack room walls. There are many wonderful aspects to this pyramid, but even so, every time I looked at it, I felt one eyebrow climbing up my forehead. There was something wrong about the structure of the pyramid, I felt. When training a horse, I always imagined the shape of training to be more of a circle, or better yet, a spiral.

by Bonnie Walker

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You see, when training a horse it is not as simple as beginning at the base and working your way upward sequentially. Axel likened the use of the Training Scale to a “stew” where you will find bits and pieces of each element in a mixture to produce the end product. I could not agree more. Each horse I ride is as unique in its feel as any human being that I have come across and thus requires its own “recipe”, of course made up of the elements of the training scale. For example, with one horse a disruption of the rhythm might be because he is ungainly and young. But in the stall to his left lives a little chestnut mare whose rhythm disruptions occur because of tension, and so you must work to relax and supple the horse. And next door to her lives yet another horse, a gelding whose rhythm disruptions occur because he moves very crookedly and so you must focus on straightening him and strengthening his weaker side until he is equally fit. You see, a deficit in one portion of the training scale can and most of the time will include issues with other parts of the scale.

Circle of Training RHYTHM

STRAIGHTNESS (Improved Alignment & Balance)

RELAXATION

If you look at my version of the training scale, each portion feeds into the center point: collection. Let’s think of it like this, for training and first level you are prancing merrily around the perimeter of the Training Circle that I have COLLECTION (Increased Engagement, IMPULSION created. Once you have gone around and around enough, Lightness of Forehand, (Increased Energy & Thrust) Self Carriage) one day you feel that your horse is straight enough, with enough impulsion and calm enough in his work that he is ready for collection. But as well we know, second level colCONNECTION lection is not Grand Prix collection. This is where the ‘Train(Acceptance of the Bit Through Acceptance of the Aids) ing Spiral’ comes into play. Once you achieve second level collection you incorporate this into your training but then jump out of the center and start going around and around the perimeter again, until your horse is ready for third and fourth and finally FEI.

(With Energy & Tempo)

(With Elasticity & Suppleness)

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Where are the movements in all of this? Think of the movements as tests of your horse’s strength and balance. Once he successfully learns a movement, you can then add it to his further training and strength building, but not before. If we took that big, young ungainly horse and attempted to execute a working pirouette the results would be traumatic. Which movements to choose and when are as individual as the horse and rider, where their talents lie and what developed when. But as he or she gets stronger you can begin climbing the spiral and asking more as his strength and straightness grow. The pinnacle of the spiral is Grand Prix, where the collection and extensions are at their most extreme at walk, trot and canter.

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This is why there are solid dressage trainers who might receive a “finished” FEI horse into their barn and when getting on them, discover they are anything but. Though the horse might know all the tricks, they are performing them like a circus animal, without working correctly through their body. There are many horses talented enough and smart enough to get to a certain point by faking it. Inevitably though holes appear, the horse breaks down and you will have a twelve year old that is completely unsound or unrideable. When trainers receive a horse like that, though the horse is advertised as being at the top of the spiral, the trainer slides the horse back down to the very beginnings to start again. The same goes for a trainer whose horse is weak with a certain movement. Is it an issue with straightness? Or is the connection flawed? Any trainer worth their salt will go back to these basic elements when trying to understand why their horse is not successful at certain points, and incorporate exercises and strategy to correct the issue, rather than drilling the movement itself over and over and over again. Ob

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So when you look at the Training Scale, try not to think of it as a fixed thing, but rather a dynamic, ever changing template that can cater to all horses, with all of their individual strengths and weaknesses, a template that continues to be relevant past that initial achievement of collection and into Grand Prix. After you halt and salute on centerline in your first training level or Grand Prix test, behind you should be thousands of hours of playing the spiral upward into a happy and healthy partner.

Bonnie Walker is a dressage trainer based out of San Diego, CA.

She has earned her USDF Bronze and Silver medals and is an “L” Education Program graduate with distinction. As well, she is a USDF Certified Instructor. Visit her website and blog at www.dressagedifferent.com.

Stallion Showcase

Fainero ADP Birthdate: 3/11/2009 Sire/Dam: Noble GF X Joya D Color: Black Height: 16.1 hands

Stud Fee: 2000.00 / PRE Mares 1000 / other

Andaluz ANG Birthdate: 6/14/2002 Sire/Dam: Jocoso XXXI X Andaluza LXXIII Color: Grey Height: 16.1 hands Stud Fee: 1700.00 / purebred

800 / other

Debitoso PM Birthdate: 15/10/2010 Sire/Dam: Divo PM X Delita PM Color: Buckskin Pearl (One of only two in the U.S.) Height: 15.3 h and growing! Stud Fee: $4000.00 / $2000.00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Approved Mares Only

Estupendo PM Birthdate: 1/5/2008 Sire/Dam: Revoltoso XXIX X Estupena XV Color: Buckskin PRE Height: 16.2 hands Stud Fee: 2500.00 94

Fauno VP Birthdate: 6/29/2007 Sire/Dam: Dante V x Casiana Color: Buckskin PRE Stallion Height: 15.3 hands Stud Fee: 2000.00

Magiar MAC Birthdate: 2002 Sire / Dam: Legionario XIX X Palmera V Height: 16.2 Color: Grey Stud Fee: $1500/$1000

Legacy’s Conquistador Del Sol Birthdate: 3/2/2000 Sire/Dam: Ebanisto X Galuza Color: Black (homozygous) Height: 16.2 hands Stud Fee: 2500.00 / 1500.00

Ciclon VIII Birthdate: 2/4/2003 Sire/Dam: Jaranero XXVII X Limonera XXIII Color: Black Height: 16 hands Stud Fee: $1500.00 LFG

Obelisco MAC Birthdate: 1/14/2004 Sire/Dam: Clasico – MAC X Donana MAC Color: Grey Height: 16.2 hands Stud Fee: $2000 LFG 95

Peregrino De Fraile III Birthdate: 08/25/2007 Sire/Dam: Utebo II X Peregrina de Fraile Color: Grey Height: 16.2 hands Stud Fee: 2500.00 LFG

Vaquarius CD Birthdate: 06/12/2002 Lusitano Stallion Sire/Dam: Quarteto do Top X Rainha E Color: Rose Grey Height: 16.0 Hands Stud Fee: $1500 pure bred/ $1000.00 part bred

Zutano EDA Birthdate: 1/27/07 Sire: Dominante XIXX Qualified X Santana MHF Color: Bay Height: 17 hands Stud Fee: $2000/$1000 part bred

Bocelli Birthdate: 7/2/2005 Sire/Dam: Camaron IX x Anarosa De Teodoro Color: Bay PRE Stallion Height: 16.3 hands Stud Fee: $1500 Pure Andalusian/$800 Non-Andalusian

Faralay II Birthdate: 4/2004 Sire/Dam: Ebanisto X Galuza Color: Bay Height: 16.2 hands Stud Fee: Contact for 2013 Fees 96

Glorioso YR

Birthdate: 05/27/2009 Sire/Dam:Romerito II x Fantasia PMF Color: Black (E/E, a/a) Height: 16.2 hands Stud Fee: $1,750 Purebred / $900 outcross

El Rey Sol – aka “Chacal”

Birthdate: January 3, 1997 Registry: IALHA Registered Pure Spanish/Portuguese Sire/Dam:Mosquetero Del Viento x Faranoa II Color: Heterozygous Gray Height: 16.1 hands Stud Fee: $1,600 Purebred / $1000 Out

El Chupacabra

Birthdate: 2007 Sire/Dam: Sandokan X Mitotera MA Color: Grey Height: 16 hands Stud Fee: 1500.00 / purebred 750 / other

Son JIM

Birthdate: 2010 Sire/Dam: Remador II X Zorzalena V Color: Grey Height: 16.o hands

Stud Fee: 1500.00 / PRE Mares 900 / other

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One of the first things many newcomers to the breed may no notice about our horses is their proclivity for growing abundant manes and tails. This characteristic has been selected for centuries to protect horses’ eyes from the blazing Mediterranean sun, as well as from flies. It is also very aesthetically appealing, and has given rise to a number of interesting trimming traditions. Generally, stallions are the only horses with their manes left unshaven. Stallions also tend to grow longer and stronger hair than mares, and the results are spectacular. Have you ever wondered what goes into caring for such a large amount of hair? Long, healthy manes require frequent and careful management to remain in good condition. We will discuss several techniques in this article.

Caring for Long Manes

One of the first things an owner or groom should know about a long mane is that it can be damaged in two ways: quickly, and gradually. There are specific practices that should be employed to prevent both. A section of mane can be rubbed out by the horse in an instant, but even more vexing is the gradual nature of the damage incurred by poor management. The hair will begin to decline in thickness and health so incrementally that it is usually too late by the time the groom realizes that the mane just wasn’t what it was six months ago. Taking the time to care for a mane properly will ensure long term mane health. There is no single solution or technique for every horse; the healthiest manes involve a multifaceted approach using specific supplements, grooming products, and grooming techniques.

Stable Management Make sure the horse is either stalled, or kept in an outdoor area free of brush, snags in the fence, trees, or other things that might catch on the hair and damage it.

Supplements While it is true that supplements can play a large role in the health of a horse’s hair, only genetics are ultimately responsible for the unusually spectacular manes found in our breed. However, any horse can benefit from supplementation. You can help your horse’s genetics grow the strongest, most resilient hair possible by nourishing hair growth from the inside out. Flax, black oil sunflower, and other omega fatty acid supplements can add new shine to your horse’s coat, as well as added strength to the hooves. Get hair off to the right start by growing in thick, shiny, healthy hair to begin with.

Products Like supplements, hair products are very important to overall hair health, but will not change your horse’s genetics. Products designed to offer the most hydration to hairs are desirable. 98

If using a silicone based shine product such as show sheen, be sure to thoroughly wash it out following the show. Silicone provides a temporary shine and then desiccates and badly damages hair shafts. Never forget to wash out silicone based products as soon as possible! Most of the best conditioners to leave in a mane actually attract dust, and should be washed, rinsed, and reapplied at least weekly. Look for hydrating shampoos made for people, and conditioners made from argan oil. Healthy Hair coat conditioner (for horses) diluted in water is also great for keeping hair hydrated, but it does attract dust and is more of a long term maintenance product than one you might take to a show. Leave conditioner in the mane when you wash it, either by reapplying it after the final rinse, or simply leaving some in without rinsing completely. Keeping hair hydrated keeps it pliant and resistant to breakage, staining, and dullness. Conditioner left in the hair will also keep it more resistant to UV damage. When a hair shaft becomes dry and brittle, it is filled with microscopic cracks, hollows and pockets, which will take on stains. Keeping those pockets filled with conditioner not only prevents stains, but also prevents the hair from growing brittle.

Avoid leaving ANY shampoo whatsoever on the horse, especially at the mane bed. Dry shampoo is terribly itchy and will cause the horse to rub its mane. Techniques Combing and Brushing The most important thing you can ever do to care for a mane is to be very, very mind-ful of the way you brush it. The best way to brush a mane is to wash it thoroughly with shampoo, rinse, apply conditioner, and leave most of it in, or reapply more conditioner. Gently squeeze the hair to drain some water, and leave the horse to stand tied where he cannot roll or rub his mane on anything in the stable. When the mane has completely dried with the conditioner in it, only then may you gently brush it. Combing or brushing wet or damp hair is very detrimental to the shaft of the hair, and eventually results in dullness and breakage. Select a women’s paddle brush for your horse’s mane brush. Investing in a quality paddle brush will pay off in the long run. Begin combing gently on the very tips of the hair, working your way up. If you encounter any resistance or snags, gently pick them apart with your fingers before brushing again. Once you have finished the mane, the forelock can be combed much in the same manner, but take greater care, as the forelock hairs are finer and more delicate than mane hair and more prone to breakage and thinning.

Braiding Once your horse’s mane is washed and brushed, it must be braided up to prevent it from becoming snagged on things, and generally abused by the horse and its environment. There are three main techniques for braiding long manes.

The Running Braid The first is to simply create a running or french braid down the horse’s neck, just as 99

you might for a dressage show. This is probably the most effective means of keeping a horse’s mane healthy, as this type of braid not only keeps the mane out of harms way and protects the most surface area of the hair, it also is likely the most comfortable for the horse, as the pressure of the braid is evenly distributed through the hair like a truss bridge, keeping the crest from being tugged on by an individual braid. Make sure the braid is tight against the crest al the way down to the withers. A sagging running braid is not going to do your horse’s mane any favors. This braid should be taken down once weekly at a minimum, washed, and put back up. Some stables have this done on a daily basis, and the results are tangible.

Straight Braids The next technique is to make a series of straight braids. This is probably the easiest and quickest way to maintain a long mane, but it is also the riskiest. Straight braids can tug, and are vulnerable to rubbing and damage in the horse’s environment. This is a good technique for someone who doesn’t plan on showing, stables their horse most of the time, and enjoys a long mane but not a lot of extra maintenance. Entire braids can be rubbed out in a matter of minutes when a horse decides his crest needs a good scratch. Horses with this type of braid should not be turned out, as the braids are an open invitation to catch on anything and everything. Braid as far down as possible to protect the most hair. Use small grooming bands to secure the braid, and wrap the ends in electrical tape. These should also be taken down weekly or bi weekly, washed, and put back up. Avoid making the braids too wide, as this can cause tugging. Avoid making them too thin as well, as these are more prone to being ripped out and damaged. Use your horse’s mane thickness as a guide. If it has a thick mane, make thick braids with bases as wide as the braid itself. If your horse has thinner hair, make more braids, or consider a running braid instead.

Folded Straight Braids The third technique is to create a similar row of straight braids, and then double each braid up upon itself (as shown) to protect the hair. This type of braid sometimes invites rubbing, but overall, it does a better job of protecting the hair than straight braids. Take this type of braiding down once a week. This type of braid is more time consuming than straight braids but is easier to execute than a tight running braid along the crest, which may take some practice.

Mane & Tail Bags One final technique for protecting a horse’s braids is to cover each braid with a soft cloth. This can be improvised out of scraps of clean soft cloth and electrical tape, or by purchasing tail bags. This will prevent the hair from becoming dusty and stained by the horse’s environment, and is a good technique to use on a horse with a pure white mane.

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Visit our for sale page online for videos and multiple photos of our horses for sale and arrange a visit today! All horses offered by private treaty. A good home is our priority!

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Sales Horse Spotlight “Thank you AndalusianWorld! I listed my mare Quirica on your site and she was sold to a great home in Michigan within 2 weeks.” ~Eduardo Espinoza Rancho El Triunfo

Capitan De Paraiso - PRE Gelding Showing Second Level, Schooling Third Birthdate: 4/16/2005 Color: Black Height: 15.2 Price: $45,000.00 Registration: ANCCE & IALHA Location: Sussex, New Jersey

Argento RSS - PRE Gelding Training Level Dressage Birthdate: 2009 Color: Grey Height: 16 Price: $ 35,000.00 Registration: IALHA & ANCCE Elegible Location: Northern California

Gentil MOR - PRE Stallion Qualified Dressage Stallion, 4th Level Birthdate: 2000 Color: Grey Height: 16.1 Price: $ 70,000.00 (neg to right home) Registration: ANCCE Revised Location: WI

Virus JIM (Max) - PRE Stallion Ready to Show! Birthdate: 2003 Color: Grey / White Height: 16.1 Price: $ 25,000.00 Registration: ANCCE Revised Location: California

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Contessa de Oro - PRE Mare

Great Working Equitation Mount Birthdate: 2006 Color: Bay Height: 15.1 Price: $ 12,000.00 Registration: ANCCE, IALHA & FPSH â&#x20AC;&#x201C; UEF Location: Texas

Hercules JV - PRE Colt

Super Dressage Prospect Birthdate: 2/4/2011 Color: Grey Height: 15.2 Price: $ 18,000.00 Registration: ANCCE Location: Southern California

Trovadora Moon -Filly

Stunning filly out of Qualified Mare Birthdate: 2012 Color: Grey Height: Tall Price: $19,500.00 Registration: ANCCE Pending Location: Southern California

Cereza XIV - Qualified Mare

Rare Find! Jocoso XXI daughter Birthdate: 2003 Color: Grey Height: 16 h Price: $58,000.00 Registration: ANCCE Qualfied / Calificado Location: Southern California

Carbonera - Black Mare

Fancy Mover! Birthdate: 2010 Color: Black Height: 15.1 Price: $ 10,000.00 OBO Registration: IALHA Pending Location: Southern California

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Collection by Antonio Topete Diaz

Collection: we have all heard about collection in horses. Some of us have seen it. Few of us have experienced it, and even fewer truly understand it. The art of riding has been in such a decline that over the years we tend to see less and less true collection amongst riders in all sports, even at the highest levels of dressage riding. Since ancient times, riders have often times resorted to inventions in bits, martingales and other artificial gadgets to try and force a horse into a seemingly correct frame. Notice I use the word FORCE. The rider with limited knowledge will almost always try to outsmart his horse with devices and techniques that are contrary to the laws of nature. In recent years we see horse enthusiasts complain and even protest about such practices as the so-called Rollkur (hyperflexion), a practice that by no means is new. Competition riders search for a frame and a movement that is stereotyped as correct. But is any of this stuff correct? In the Iberian horse, such as the PRE, the Lusitano and other Iberian type horses, the term “easy to collect” is a common phrase used to describe these horses. But what does that mean?

What is collection? What is the purpose of collection? How do we achieve collection? What is the difference between correct and false collection? Collection means simply what the word says, the collection of the energy of the horse. We collect this energy of the horse so that we can contain it and release it whenever we need or want it. This is done by shifting the weight of the horse so that he carries sixty percent or more on his hindquarters and forty percent or less on his forehand. Over bending the horse (hyperflexion) so that the face is too far past the vertical is incorrect, because the horse is behind the bit and collection escapes out of the neck. Usually when this is the case, the horse leaves the movement behind with the hind legs, bending the hock behind the movement and stepping behind the mass, and not under the center of gravity. A robotic lifting of the legs occurs. Many believe that as long as the horse is round in the back and flexed in the neck and poll, the horse is collected. This is not so, since as we stated the horse tends to get behind the bit, and especially if it is a horse with a very long, or goose-like neck. Correcting this fault is simply a matter of impulsion into the bit, where the rider receives the pushing power of the leg. For this reason, the old masters advise to never push the horse more than what we can receive with our hands or to pull with our hands more than what we can produce with impulsion. The purpose of collection is to have the horse light, supple and obedient with as little effort as possible on the part of the rider, and with as little effort as possible on the part of the horse. When you put a polished bowling ball on the flat surface of the bowling alley, in what direction could you potentially roll that ball? Straight? Left? Right? Back? Is it not true, that in this case the ball can be rolled in any direction we want? The horse is the same as the bowling ball. We have to of course polish the horse so that he becomes like the ball on the flat surface. When we achieve true collection, we are able to take a horse in any given direction that we want with an instants notice with little or no effort. The reason why “Doma Vaquera/Working Equitation” is the preferred style of riding in Spain and Portugal to work fighting bulls in the open fields is because it is the best system for this work. The horse is always collected until it is time to release the energy. Believe me, it happens more often than you might think. But to achieve this collecting of energy a horse must have several things in line first. 104

To start, the horse must be made straight. If a horse is not straight in all his work, he cannot comfortably collect and therefore he cannot comfortably work to his fullest potential. This is the reason why all horses must learn to step in the correct place, with straightness in every line of direction that he is to follow, be this in a straight line, a circle, or a curb. The horse must have confidence in his rider, and thus be calm and relaxed in happiness during his work if he is to concentrate and learn his new tasks. In contrast to straightness and calmness, the horse learns to be obedient and accepts the natural aids of the rider so that together they can move towards the final goal which is the collection of energy. We then ask for impulsion so that we produce the energy that we want to collect, and receive this energy with the aids that the horse now accepts. By controlling now the rhythm, and in combination of all these things, we reach suppleness which must be in place so that we can finally, after a series of gymnastic exercises and time, reach our goal, which is collection. Straightness, Relaxation/Calmness, Acceptance of the Aids/Obedience, Impulsion, Rhythm, Suppleness, will lead us to Collection if we combine them throughout the training of our horses. There are no short cuts, there are no inventions that will help us achieve the correct results in any other way, regardless of the type of bit or saddle that we use. Only with the combination of the different elements of training can we obtain true collection, where the frame and head set of the horse is determined by the horse and not by a stereotype, and where the use of severe gadgets and instruments of torture have no use.

True collection focuses on forming the horse into a ball on a flat surface, which we can move in any direction, in any moment, in any rate of speed, with little or no effort on the part of the rider or horse.

Antonio Topete Diaz

is a rider, trainer and clinician of the classical forms of riding from Spain, trained by a Classical Master of the Spanish Riding School in Classical Dressage, and by other masters of various equine disciplines including mounted bull fighting (rejoneo), trick training, doma vaquera, alta escuela, and polo. Antonio also comes from a long line of horsemen, riders, bull fighters, military cavalry men, cowboys, and saddle makers. The author of a book in Spanish, entitled “El Caballo De Baile” in which he explains the do’s and dont’s of piaffe training. The book is directed towards Latino horse trainers, to provide a better education, and to reduce abuse and wrongful training in horses. 105

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