PRE IN DRESSAGE

Every breed has its critics but as an amateur dressage rider, I find working with the PRE a sheer pleasure. As with any horse, trained correctly, a PRE is just as capable of reaching the higher echelons of dressage as any other breed.

It is my observation over the years that most amateur competitors prefer a horse they can train and be safe on, rather than a flashy mover that tries to ditch them at every opportunity…!

As quoted by a leading Spanish dressage rider, “the Spanish horse has the looks of a lion, but the mind of a lamb”, thus the PRE has a temperament that enables both professional and non-professional riders to enjoy the sport of dressage at any level.

I think the PRE is made for the higher levels of dressage, therefore I do not agree with PRE breeders who produce a sporthorse type, in the mould of a crossbred, that has very little resemblance to the true character of the breed.

Once you start to alter movement, height etc, you change the conformational balance of the horse, and he loses the unique ability to collect and perform at the highest of levels. I believe a PRE should be instantly recognisable as a PRE with movement that has both elevation and reach – neither real flat movement, nor the dreaded sewing machine action that travels nowhere, but a real expression and lift as well as covering ground. This is our aim in our breeding program – we do not compromise breed type for colour, “flat” movement, excessive height or any other trend. If we wanted a WB type, we’d breed crossbreds!!!! We believe the PRE is a perfectly capable high level dressage horse - why fix what’s not broken??!!!

The Spanish horse does best when they arrive at the upper levels of dressage, where higher collection is required – usually from Medium onwards.  The PRE can do a novice test equally as well as other breeds, however the outline or ‘frame’ is typically higher and rounder. Preference – in the lower levels - is usually given to the longer-framed, lower neck set, however do not be discouraged as accuracy, submission and impulsion are all areas you can “make up ground”. And remember the PRE excels at the collected movements, where the longer framed horses find it hard.

If you compete your PRE in dressage competitions, don't be discouraged by judges' criticism. The more PRE’s that are out competing, the more judges will get used to seeing them. Currently there are simply not enough PRE’s out there in serious competition for judges to see.

Some people believe it's easiest to achieve the ultimate in lightness with the PRE rather than any other breed. This may be because of the "finished picture" you get in the end. The knowledgeable trainer can train most horses to be just as 'light' in his hands and aids, yet the PRE will typically make it look more eloquent and effortless, since they are built so balanced and naturally able to collect easily. This is what these horses were bred for.