|
The name Andalusian is confusing as today we
relate to the area in Southern Spain, including the provinces of
Malaga, Cadiz, Seville, Cordoba, and Granada as Andalusia. But
for many centuries the name Andalus has referred to almost the
whole peninsular and in many other countries the name Andulcian
is still used. In 1912 the Spanish breeders Association stopped
using the name Andalusian and replaced it with Pura Raza
Espanola- meaning "Pure Bred Spanish"
Andalusia in Southern Spain still remains the centre of Spanish
breeding with the Carthusian monastery of Jerez de la Frontera,
founded in 1476. The monastery was responsible for preserving
the purest strain of Andalusian horses. Today the Yequada
Militar, a ministry organisation and a branch of the Spanish
Government, operated by the ministry of war, administers
activities for all breeds of horses in Spain, including
breeding, the stallion stations, and the stud books. it owns
seven station depots throughout Spain.
-Characteristics-
The Andalucian Horse stands at about 1.57
m (15.2hh), but has a commanding presence with lofty and
spectacular paces. The face is convex and eyes almond shaped.
the croup is slightly sloped. the hind legs are capable of a
high degree of flexion resulting in a natural state of
collection. They are extremely athletic and skilful with noble
qualities of the heart and mind preserved largely through
training for war.
Despite being highly courageous and spirited they are uniformly
gentle and docile. Their participation in bullfighting is
perceived as a noble heritage, enabling man and horse to be fit
for war or the defence of the country at a moments notice. They
are also suited to Haute Ecole (advanced dressage
movements) but because of their high rounded action they are not
appreciated in modern competitive dressage.
-History-
The Spanish horse occupies a position in
equine development second only to the Arabian and its´ own
principle progenitor, the barb of North Africa. The horses of
the Iberian peninsular are believed to be the oldest breed of
saddle horse in the world. They were prized as warhorses in the
times of the Romans, and continued to be in demand throughout
the middle ages and the renaissance, when the elite rode on
these noble horses. For 300 years, up to the end of the
eighteenth century, the Spanish influence on the breeds of
Europe and the Americans was huge and they became the foundation
stock for many of the modern day sports horse breeds that we
know today.
-El Cid and Babieca-
Foremost among the heroes of Christendom
was Ruy, or Rodrigo, Diaz leader of the Reconquista the
movement that ended the 700 year occupation of the Iberian
Peninsular by the Moors. Ruy Diaz, known by friend and foe alike
as El Cid, the lord, or Campeador, the warrior, was born
at Vivar near Burgos in Castile in about 1040. A ruthless
professional soldier he passed in to legend as a hero, the
saviour of his country.
His exploits are celebrated in the 12th
Century epic, poema del Cid, and later the Cronica
Particular del Cid 1512, which tell us of the Man and
Barbieca, the white horse on which he campaigned for 30 years.
The horse was a present from El Cid's godfather, a priest known
as Peyre Pringos or ¨fat Pete¨. Fat Pete was able to offer the
young man a choice of the best colts, because Spanish religious
houses , such as Carthusians´ house at Jerez de la Frontera,
were traditionally concerned with the breeding of horses.
The boy chose a particularly plain
immature animal forcing the exasperated priest to claim "Barbieca"
(Stupid), by which the horse became famous. An ideal warhorse,
Barbieca was what is now known as an Andalusian. Although up to
weight, he was probably no more that 15hh (1.52m). He was
responsive ,agile and full of the "brio escondido", the
hidden metal, that gave him fire and courage.
El Cid died in 1099 at Valencia which was
under siege. Aware that news of his death would lower his troops
morale and encourage the enemy, he gave his last order. In
obedience to his commands, his body was secured in Barbieca´s
saddle, his shield fastened in Place, and in full armour with
his sword fixed upright in his lifeless hand he led his silent
horsemen out of the city towards the moors camp at midnight
precisely. The knights were dressed all in white with white
banners, and it was said that El Cid's face shone through the
open visor of his helmet with an "unearthly luminance" The
ghostly apparition on the pure white horse cantering in front of
the silent ranks, caused the Moors to flee, crying that El Cid
had risen from the dead.
The Spanish pursued them without mercy. El
Cid was buried at the monastery of San Pedro de Cardena, near
Burgos, although his body was later moved to Burgos Cathedral.
Barbieca was never ridden again. He died 2 years later at the
age of 40. There is a memoriam to Barbieca on the former site of
the monastery of San Pedro de Cardena, Burgos, Spain and a
Statue of El Cid on Barbieca at Burgos. |
