¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!
Horse & Hound|February 04, 2021
They’re flashy and exuberant, but can Iberians really challenge the warmbloods in top-level dressage? Helen Triggs tracks down some top performers
Helen Triggs
¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!

CAN Iberian horses challenge the warmbloods in the international dressage arena? The truth is they already have and will undoubtedly continue to do so. The pool of potential dressage stars from Portugal and Spain is much smaller than the northern European warmblood, so they are likely always to be a rarity, but there is something about the Iberian which captures the imagination.

The performance of PRE (Pura Raza Española) Fuego De Cardenas and Juan Manuel Muñoz in the freestyle at the 2010 World Games was memorable. Even though they didn’t win, their performance raised the spirits of the spectators. They scored more than 81% and left many warmbloods languishing down the leaderboard.

And at the London Olympics, social media was awash with videos of Portugal’s Goncalo Carvalho and Rubi AR’s spectacular piaffe and passage. In 2019, Portugal qualified for the Tokyo Olympics on Lusitanos (PSL – Puro Sangue Lusitano). The Spanish national team has always included PREs in the mix.

In 2019, Britain fielded its first Nations Cup team with an Iberian horse, when Vicki Thompson-Winfield and Sam Francis’s impressive PRE, Mango Jacaro, made their team debut at Hickstead where they had a personal best of 74.05% in the grand prix freestyle. Lusitano Ufano flew the flag for Britain with Becky Edwards as members of the British young riders’ team at the European Championships in 2015 and 2016.

Bu hikaye Horse & Hound dergisinin February 04, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Horse & Hound dergisinin February 04, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

HORSE & HOUND DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Horse & Hound

'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'

Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start

time-read
2 dak  |
November 07, 2024
New pair pull off a win
Horse & Hound

New pair pull off a win

A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons

time-read
2 dak  |
November 07, 2024
Lording it over the rest
Horse & Hound

Lording it over the rest

Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season

time-read
3 dak  |
November 07, 2024
Smith hits flying form
Horse & Hound

Smith hits flying form

A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot

time-read
3 dak  |
November 07, 2024
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Horse & Hound

Jankorado hits the jackpot

Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps

time-read
4 dak  |
November 07, 2024
Peanut
Horse & Hound

Peanut

From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character

time-read
3 dak  |
November 07, 2024
She's a corker
Horse & Hound

She's a corker

Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers

time-read
8 dak  |
November 07, 2024
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
Horse & Hound

Access all areas Cavalier Centre

The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit

time-read
7 dak  |
November 07, 2024
'Use it or lose it'
Horse & Hound

'Use it or lose it'

Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity

time-read
6 dak  |
November 07, 2024
A new way forward
Horse & Hound

A new way forward

Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change

time-read
3 dak  |
November 07, 2024