Breed history
Originally from Andalusia, the Pure Spanish Breed has an ancient history. Indeed, we find traces of its presence in the year -1000 BC in Spain. More related to the Barbe breed than to the Purebred Arabian, the PRE has not undergone enormous physical transformations throughout history.
Used mainly for warfare during the 17th and 18th centuries, it was also the preferred mount of kings such as François 1er or Louis XV. The PRE has been exported worldwide to bring its blood to several other breeds, such as the Lipizzaner and the Lusitano.
Subsequently, it was used extensively in classical riding in the French tradition. Big names in horse riding have ridden these Pure Spanish Breeds, praising their merits, such as Pluvinel or La Guérinière.
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, the PRE was set aside in favor of show jumping horses and horses gifted for speed. Breeders then seek to cross it with other breeds to produce more sporty horses. Thanks to a few species lovers, the PRE regained its letters of nobility during the 1970s.