The origin of the
P.R.E. Horse has been
lost in time and mixed the evolutionary history of horses in general. There is
no specific date for
its appearance in Spain, in pre-Roman times,
there were equestrian references in 
what is known as
Spain today. It was King
Philip II who started to select and breed
Spanish Horses during his reign. He gathered the best stallions and
mares from all the provinces that bordered
the
Guadalquivir River, which were famous for producing the best horses. He
built
the Royal Stables in Cordoba and created the Royal Stud Farm which
eventually
became the National Stud Farm. Spanish horses earned a great
reputation, and
were included in the birth of Central European breeds thanks to their
beauty,
temperament, intelligence and their learning skills.
what is known as
Spain today. It was King
Philip II who started to select and breed
Spanish Horses during his reign. He gathered the best stallions and
mares from all the provinces that bordered
the
Guadalquivir River, which were famous for producing the best horses. He
built
the Royal Stables in Cordoba and created the Royal Stud Farm which
eventually
became the National Stud Farm. Spanish horses earned a great
reputation, and
were included in the birth of Central European breeds thanks to their
beauty,
temperament, intelligence and their learning skills. In 1913, the first official Stud Book was published in Spain: “Caballos de Pura Raza Espanola”, Pure Spanish Breed Horses. To this day, this is the only correct name. In successive centuries, the Spanish Horse continued its development in the hands of the National Stud farm, individuals and landowners. Today, there are some 175,000 PRE Horses in the world. The approximate 7,500 breeders are located in more than 65 countries. Breeds such as the Lipizzaner, Lusitano, Paso Fino and the Central European Warmblood all owe their ancestry to the PRE Horse.
Originally the P.R.E. horse was used as foundation for several Central European Warmblood breeds. Today, PREs are being used to improve sports horse stud farms. Their balance, intelligence, willingness to work and harmony bestow the PRE horse a special capacity for collection and other high level
maneuvers. The Spanish Dressage team
won the silver medal at the 2004 Athens
Olympics and Invasor and
Oleaje (2 PRE horses)
were part of
the team.
Photograh by Wayne Atkinson (www.foto5studio.com)