The Magnificent Andalusian

The Andalusian lineage dates back to prehistoricwere imported to Lipizza (then Italy, now
times. Cave paintings, discovered on the IberianSlovenia) to be bred with native stock and form
Peninsula and dated 20000 to 30000 B.C., showthe foundation of the famous Lipizzaners.
the Iberian Horse clearly. It is thought that as timePeriodically the Spanish Riding School of Vienna,
progressed, the breed was influenced by strainsAustria would re-introduce an Andalusian to the
of horses from the French Celts, Carthaginians,bloodline, in order to maintain the original qualities
Romans, several Germanic tribes, and thewhich were so desirable in the Lipizzaners. Their
Moors.This noble breed was cited by the Greekefforts helped to establish the school as a living
philosopher and commander of the army,monument to the art of classical equitation and
Xenophon, as being a deciding element in histhe Andalusian breed was an important factor in
army's victory over Sparta. The notedthis.Many breeds of horses have been improved,
commander, Hannibal, used Andalusians when hethrough careful crossbreeding, by the introduction
invaded Italy. Both of these esteemed warriorsof the Andalusian strain to their bloodlines. In fact
waxed eloquent in their praise of the Spanishthe Andalusian has been instrumental and the
Horse.Richard de Belisme, Duke of Shrewsbury, ismost influential strain in strengthening, creating,
credited with importing Andalusians to Britain inand improving breeds around the world. Not only
1188. During the reign of Richard I, the knights ofthe Lipizzaners, but most of the German
his Court favored the steed for combat andwarmbloods, the Connemara of Ireland, the
tournaments. And the Duke of Newcastle wroteCleveland Bay of England, the American Quarter
in 1667 of the great attributes of the breed.InHorse, and the Paso Fino of South America have
1580, some of the finest specimens of the breedat their roots the blood of the Andalusian.