Andalusians &
High School Dressage
1733, Francois de la Gueriniere, France,
"All
authors have always shown a preference for the Spanish horse, considering it the
best of all horses for high school dressage, due to its agility, its resilience
and its rhythm."
Most dressage enthusiasts, even those who are unfamiliar with Iberian horses, know of the writings of Francois de la Gueriniere, even if many haven’t taken the time to read them. What the majority are just coming to realize is the dominant role the Iberian horse played in the formation of classical dressage. Before the English Thoroughbred, before the Arab, and long before the Warmblood was even imagined, the blood of Iberian horses was highly valued throughout Europe for its ability to improve the local stock. Stallions were given as regal gifts by the royal houses of Europe. The famous Friesian, the Fredricksborg, the Kladrubber and the once renowned Neapolitan were all largely based on Spanish blood. Vienna's home of the classical Lippizan, the Spanish Riding School, gets its name from its foundation stock of Iberian horses.
Almost
everyone knows the story of how the Darley Arabian, the Godolphin Arabian and
the Byerley Turk were put to "English" mares to create the foundation
of the modern Thoroughbred. What few realize is that these mares mostly
originated from the King's Stud and were largely of Iberian blood. 
Warmbloods
were originally draft horses, which had been infused with Iberian blood to
refine them into more elegant coach horses.
In the modern era, especially since the 20th Century European wars,
further refinement took place by additions of Arab and Thoroughbred blood.
Today's warmbloods are particularly noted for their extended gaits.
Conversely,
the Andalusian has always been a riding horse, a cavalry horse.
He was bred for the collection necessary for success in mounted combat.
Consequently, he has always been a dressage horse.
When the breeds of horses that are winning today’s dressage
competitions were still pulling the beer wagons, the heavy coaches, and the
army's artillery or baggage wagons, the Andalusian
was the haut ecole dressage horse of choice.
Following
is a chronological series of quotations from some of the old masters of
classical horsemanship. They all
agree on the qualities of the Iberian horse for Haut Ecole.
1556, Thomas Blundeville, England:
"The
horse of Spain is finely made, both head, body and legs, and very seemly to the
eye and for his making lightness and swiftness withall, he is very much
esteemed, and especially of noble men."
1588, Van Lohneyssen, Germany,
"It
ought to be recognized, moreover, that of all the horses on earth, the Spanish
are the most intelligent, the most likeable, and the most gentle."
1600, Salomon de la Broue, France,
“Comparing
the best horses, and considering which is most perfect, I would place the
Spanish first. I choose him as the
most beautiful, the noblest, the most graceful, the bravest, and the one who
most deserves to be ridden by a King. And
if I compare it with those horses that are also great natural runners, it is
always the Spanish horse that gallops with the most precision and art and the
one that collects best.” 
1655, The Duke of Newcastle, Britain’s
greatest equestrian master, and tutor to King James I:
"If
a Spanish horse is well chosen, I confirm that it is the noblest in the world,
that there is no better conformation from the tip of the ear to the edge of the
hoves. It is the most beautiful that can be found ...it has great vigor, strength and is docile;
it walks with pride and trots with the most beautiful gait in the world.
It is arrogant when it gallops.
The
Spanish horse possesses great strength and courage, is eager to learn, and walks
and trots with the most elegant and dignified movements.
...(it is) the lovingest, gentlest horse ...much more intelligent than
even the best Italian horses, and for that reason, the easiest dressed."
The
Spanish horse is the noblest in the world, and the most beautiful, and the
fittingest of all for a king in the day of triumph or who wants to show up on
the battlefield a the head of his troops."
1660, Garzal, France,
The
ideal the high school dressage horse "must have an excellent mouth, be
lively and graceful without rigidity, light and strong, it must have strong
cannon bones and very good loins. The Spanish are the best that are known for
these uses."
1664, Jaques de Solleysel, France,
“The
(Spanish horses) have a wonderful active walk, high trot, and admirable canter
and an exceptionally fast racing gallop. In
general, they are not very big, but there are nowhere better bred horses.
I have heard extraordinary tales of their courage.
The best horses are bred in Andalusia and especially in the royal Cordoba
stud.” 
1747, Baron de Eisenberg, Germany:
"Experience
has revealed that the Spanish horse is without a doubt the most perfect horse in
the world for schooling, not only with respect to its body, which is the most
beautiful, but also with regard to its qualities;
it is willing, vigorous and so docile that if you teach him with
knowledge and patience, he understands and executes orders with great
precision."
1999,
Paul Belaisk, USA:
“As
the growth of dressage continues to escalate, it is only natural that an
evolution of sophistication will take place.
I cannot see how this won't lead many riders back to the Iberian horses
for they still maintain some of the very best horses for collection and the
finer points of riding."
2003, Charles de Kunffy, USA:
“Andalusians
are Artistry in motion. They have
what is called brio. Brio means
that the Andalusian is smart, sensitive and high strung in his temperament, yet
he is submissive and totally focused on the rider.
He wants to please."
View video of the last great master, Nuno Oliveria
For more information on the Andalusian in Dressage see the following articles:
- Andalusians, Glamour horses of Dressage, Dressage Today Magazine, 8/03
- Small But Mighty: Iberian Horses are giving the warmbloods a run for their money in dressage, USDF Connection Magazine, 7/03
Home Breed History Classical Dressage Breeding Philosophy About Black Coloring
Celoso Broodmares Breeding Stallion Reference Stallions For Sale Sold About Us Contact
Bravata is breeding black Andalusian sporthorses for temperament, talent and type.
Bold - Black - Beautiful - Bravata
All Rights Reserved by Bravata Ltd.