A PRE horse (Pura Raza Española) is the officially ANCCE-registered Iberian horse. Read about its origins, characteristics, the difference with the Andalusian, and whether this breed suits you.
A PRE horse immediately catches the eye: the flowing mane, the expressive eyes, the round, uphill movement. But what exactly is a PRE horse? And what makes it different from a regular Andalusian? In this article we explain everything.
What does PRE mean?
PRE stands for Pura Raza Española — literally "pure Spanish breed". It is the official name for the Iberian horse commonly known as the Andalusian. However, there is a crucial difference: only horses with official papers from the ANCCE (Asociación Nacional de Criadores de Caballos de Pura Raza Española) may be called a true PRE.
The origins of the Pura Raza Española
The PRE horse has a history spanning more than two thousand years. The ancestors of this breed lived on the Iberian Peninsula before the Romans arrived. Through selective breeding by Spanish noblemen and the Carthusian monastery in Jerez de la Frontera, the breed developed over the centuries into the elegant, intelligent horse we know today.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the PRE was the favourite riding horse of European monarchs and formed the foundation of classical equitation. The Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre in Jerez are to this day built upon the qualities of this breed.
Characteristics of a PRE horse
Appearance
A PRE horse is recognisable by its subconvex (slightly curved) profile, a muscular neck with a full mane, and a compact, harmonious build. Height typically ranges from 155 to 170 cm. The most common colours are grey (lightening with age), chestnut and black.
Character
PRE horses are known for their exceptional intelligence and trainability. They are sensitive, loyal and eager to understand the rider. They are not machines: they have opinions, character and expression. With the right approach, however, they are reliable, dedicated partners.
Movement
The movement of a PRE horse is naturally collected and uphill. The walk is spacious and active, the trot elastic and expressive, the canter round and comfortable. This natural aptitude makes them exceptionally well suited to dressage — from introductory level through to Grand Prix and haute école.
PRE horse vs. Andalusian: what is the difference?
In short: every PRE is an Andalusian, but not every Andalusian is a PRE.
The term "Andalusian" is colloquially used for all Iberian horses of that recognisable type. But only horses with official ANCCE registration and a documented, inspected pedigree may be called Pura Raza Española.
At NL Stables we sell exclusively ANCCE-registered PRE horses. This provides certainty about bloodlines, breeding history and breed authenticity.
ANCCE: the official studbook
The ANCCE in Jerez de la Frontera is the sole authority issuing official PRE passports. Every registered horse has a unique microchip number, a fully documented pedigree and an ANCCE passport.
When purchasing a PRE horse you always receive this passport — the irrefutable proof that your horse is a genuine Pura Raza Española.
PRE horse in sport
Dressage
The PRE is traditionally a dressage horse. Its natural collection, active hindquarters and expressive movement make it ideally suited to everything from elementary level to Grand Prix. More and more international dressage riders are choosing PRE horses.
Rodrigo Laserna, trainer at NL Stables, rode a PRE to Grand Prix level himself and sees every day how well these horses respond to groundwork and classical dressage methods.
Classical equitation and haute école
Piaffe, passage, piaffing half-passes, levade and the airs above the ground — the PRE masters these movements with a grace that is hard to match. This is no coincidence: the breed has been selected for exactly these qualities for centuries.
Is a PRE horse right for you?
A PRE horse suits you if you:
- enjoy intelligent, sensitive horses that think along with you
- are interested in dressage or classical equitation
- are looking for a horse with character and reliability
- are willing to invest in a genuine partnership with your horse
Buy a PRE horse at NL Stables
At NL Stables in Vinkeveen we personally select our PRE horses from certified breeders in Spain. Every horse is clinically and radiologically vetted before sale, holds official ANCCE papers and is fully accompanied to the Netherlands.