Eastern Region Andalusian Horse Club

“The Iberian: How the Horse of the Past Became

the Horse of the Future”

with Paul Belasik

​

Thursday, February 26, 2026  

Meeting via ZOOM call 7:30 pm ET

 

“The Iberian: How the Horse of the Past Became the Horse of the Future”

with Paul Belasik, Pennsylvania Riding Academy

 

In the early 1500’s, Spain occupied Italy. The Spanish troops brought with them their Iberian horses. When the tremendous forces of the Renaissance met the Iberian horse, the trainers of the day had a vehicle to fulfill their creative dreams. Horse ballets began at the same time human ballets were invented, solidifying the connection of Iberian horses to high art and nobility.

 

In 1572 in Austria, the most famous riding school in the world was founded, and yet many people do not think to ask why it is called the Spanish Riding School. In the 1800’s and 1900’s, the Warmblood horse came to the forefront primarily due to their visibility in the new equestrian sports in the Olympics. Biases and politics locked out other breeds.

 

Yet in the late 1900’s, Iberians began to show up in competition and people fell in love with them. In this webinar, I will talk about why and how this happened. And, as someone who has been involved in breeding Iberian horses for many years, I want to talk about some dark clouds that could influence this great rebirth of the Iberian horse.

 

YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THIS PRESENTATION!