What is the story of the stud? How was it started?

The stud was started back in 1992, when Mr Enrique de Benito Rodriguez bought three mares and a stallion to Mr Jaime Guardiola Dominguez. The mares' names were Centuriona II, Hipica II, Bailona and the stallion was called Relimpio. Of the three mares, Centuriona was the best one (first picture on the left). She was a daughter of champion of Spain Centella V and Educada III, both top quality horses from the Guardiola stud, one of the oldest, best known and most recognized studs in Spain. Centuriona II was a full sister of famous multi champion stallion Educado X, parent of many well known champions in breed conformation shows across Spain. From the other two mares it should be highlighted the breed fidelity of Hipica II and the top quality movements of Bailona.

In 1999 other two mares also from the Guardiola brand were incorporated to the stud. Their names were Electrica VI and Bravía XXII, both half siblings and daughters of Cornetina, a daughter of Centella V and a well known mare in conformation shows.

In 2001, it was acquired the mare who, in combination with Centuriona II, represent the central breeding line of our stud. We are talking about Centellita, also an excellent daughter of Centella V.

Regarding the stallions, after the acquisition of Relimpio in 1992, two more stallions from the same origins were bought, Victorioso VII in 1997 and Martelillo IV in 2003. Relimpio and Victorioso were both half siblings from famous Maromo, and consequently half siblings of champion stallions Centella V and Centello V. We do not have many descendant mares of these two horses, mainly because they produced many more male than female. In fact out of the total 15 mares the stud has today, there is only one from Victorioso VII, called Ingeniera, who is, however and without doubt, one of the best mares the stud enjoys today. The majority of the young mares are daughters of Martelillo IV, a much more complete stallion, with excellent conformation, much taller than the other two stallions and with very good movements, characteristics he is passing on to his offspring.

Martelillo IV comes from the very best moving lines within the Guardiola stud. His father was Centello III, a bay stallion full brother of champion stallions Centella V and Centello V. He was bought to Mr Guardiola by the Military Stud to serve as a stallion in the Military Stud premises. The acquisition was based on the impressive movements this horse had. Unfortunately the horse died as a result of a colic two years after he was bought.

We would define Martelillo IV as a horse strongly built, with excellent hooves, solid bone structure, with prominent and wide withers, impressive shoulder, very good top line and long and well sloped croup. His head fully meets the characteristics described in the PRE breed standard. His neck is long, nicely curved and light. However which is most impressive in Martelillo is his movements. One would never guess such tall and overall big PRE stallion (1.66 m) might move so well. He is a heavy horse that looks really light when moving. Walk, trot and canter are all very good. His movements are powerful, with suspension, elevation and excellent coordination and control of his body. Martelillo was awarded second position in SICAB at the age of three, and got a sixth position as a seven year old stallion. His conformation is more that of an excellent riding horse than that of the classical baroque type of horses bred in the eighties, characterized by their beauty but also with strong limitations as riding horses such as too heavy necks, weak top lines and severe leg conformation faults such as the lateral deviation of the canon bone, responsible of the toed in conformation problems and the so called “Campaneo” when moving.

Finally, we would like to highlight his nice character. Martelillo IV is a very active, intelligent and hard working stallion. He is very sensitive to the rider demands, and always wanting to please.

From the mares previously described, only Centellita, Electrica and Dama continue to be with us. The rest were sold following strict selection criteria based on the quality of their offspring across the years.

What are the objectives we want to achieve? Where do we want to go going forward?

We want to breed excellent PRE horses that are also excellent riding horses. This easy to say goal is however very, very difficult to achieve if we consider the still basic development of the breed due to the lack of the proper knowledge among breeders regarding selection. As an example of this, we could just mention that until not long ago breeders were looking for horses with heavy “Campaneo” just because they thought horses with such strong conformation fault showed a unique type of movement to show in the horse fairs organised all across Andalucia. Thanks god, no breeder wants Campaneo today, although it is still very present in the breed. The reduced number of excellent stallions available for breeding, the poor regulatory situation we enjoy and the absence of institutional aids for breeders, make our goal a difficult and at the same time beautiful challenge. We are convinced of the enormous potential the PRE has as a riding horse for all kind of riders. The PRE was once the best horse of Europe, a position it might seriously attempt to recover in the future.

How are our horses?

After many years of efforts, selection process and learning, we think our stud is today in a very good position. Our stallions and mares are free from the worst and most frequent conformation faults of the breed. Our horses’ necks are long and light instead of the heavy and short necks of many PRE horses. Their legs conformation is very good, particularly regarding the front legs, which are straight and free from the so called “Campaneo”. Our horses’ backs are strong, straight and proportioned to the croup, shoulder and neck lengths. Their withers are wide and long and their bone structure is solid.

As a last point, I would also like to highlight the excellent character of our horses, in which genetics contribute with a big part, but it is also strongly influenced by how we treat them from the very first minute after birth. We give them a lot of care and love. They are sensitive, easy to handle both at hand and under the saddle. In other words, they are excellent PRE horses