2015 p.r.e. baby book - preview

THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PURE SPANISH HORSEVOLUME XIII - 2015 - ISSUE II

our members are special p.r.e. baby book

focus on the artist ~ amy larson

horse slaughter: don’t let it happen to your horse

el samaritano equestrian center

spanish tack and attire ~ part iii

more...

THE INTERNATIONAL VOICE OF THE P.R.E.

pura raza española

THE P.R.E. HORSE 2015 Issue 2 { 3

– Overall Champion mare in Spain in 2000 and 2002 – best in conformation, 1996 mare by Hechicero V out of Toronja

Offspring of Hindu:

– 2003 mare out of Hindu by Urdidor VIII, Urdidor VIII – was the Champion of Spain in 2000 and best movements in Spain

– 2007 colt out of Hindu by Indiano XVIII – Indiano XVIII – was twice Champion in Spain, twice grand champion in Mexico, Best movement each time out. Sons and daughters winning gold medals in Sevilla, Madrid, Mexico, Costa Rica and the US. Candu has been professionally trained by Ramon Becerra since 2009

– 2009 mare out of Hindu by Indiano XVIII – training with Olympic dressage rider, Tina Konyot

out of Hindu by Gaucho III – in 2009 USEF ranking of the top dressage sires Gaucho III ranked 7th out of 1079 stallions of all breeds.

Please contact CF Farms, info below for more information or to make an offer to purchase

any of these horses.

C.F. Farms Ltd.phone: 902-838-4221 | fax: 902-838-3674

[email protected]

Hindu:Hindu:Hindu:

CatrinaCatrinaCatrina

CanduCanduCandu

Hindu TwoHindu TwoHindu Two

Unnamed 2013 coltUnnamed 2013 coltUnnamed 2013 colt

Hindu ridden by actress Bo Derek

4 } THE P.R.E. HORSE 2015 Issue 2

The Foundation Staff -Executive Director: Barbara Clark (505) 294-0800 | [email protected] Services: Joanne Gayer (505) 294-0800 | [email protected] Services: Ana Escobar (505) 294-0800 | [email protected]: Al Rotter | [email protected]

Regional DirectorsRegion 1: Accepting Nominations for position District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia

Region 2: Andrea Michna - [email protected] Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia,Wisconsin

Region 3: Johnny Jimenez - [email protected] Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee

Region 4: Linda Frey - [email protected] Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

Region 5: Steven Kiipper - [email protected] Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming

Region 6: Linda DeWilde-Petersen - [email protected] Toni Mueller - [email protected] Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington

Region 7: Mike Mendoza - [email protected] Sarah Shechner - [email protected] California, Hawaii, Nevada

Region 8: Paige Strait - [email protected] Connecticut, Maine, Massachusettes, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont

Region 9: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas

Mission StatementThe Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse is a non-profit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. The primary purpose of this not-for-profit corporation is to develop, perpetuate and foster an appreciation and understanding of the Pure Spanish Horse (P.R.E.) throughout the United States and any other country where interest in the P.R.E. has been expressed or the help of The Foundation requested.

The Foundation was establishedTo assist in the protection of the breed, including sharing of breeding

stock and breeding information throughout the world.To maintain a strong and cordial working relationship with the parent Stud Book and the entities which administer its rules and regulations.

To educate owners and the public about the P.R.E., its history and traits.To establish and maintain a program for introducing youth and students to

the P.R.E. including training them to care for and show the horse.To provide protection for P.R.E. horses in endangered circumstances

by rescue and/or relocation.To sponsor shows and other programs that introduce the P.R.E. to the public.

To work with any sister organization or organizations which also have the mandate to protect and promote the P.R.E.

Publisher: The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse | 115 Elm St., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 | Phone: (505) 294-0800 | Email: [email protected]

Editor/Graphic Design: Laurie Monroe | (352) 445-1235 | [email protected]

Creative Consultant: Coty

Contributing Authors: Elizabeth Babits, DVM; Coty; Barb Clark; Richard Lust;

Dr. Celia Stenfors Dacre; Cameron English; Laurie Monroe.

The Foundation for the Pure Spanish HorseInternational Resource Center: 115 Elm St., NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102Phone: (505) 294-0800 | Email: [email protected]

The Foundation Board of DirectorsChair: Barbara Currie [email protected]: Cameron English [email protected] President: Santiago Chuck [email protected]: Steve Henry [email protected] Maria O’Brien [email protected] Dr. Celia Stenfors Dacre [email protected]

Directors Emeritus (Life Trustees) -Mary Adams [email protected] Burton [email protected] ConnellyMarie Dooley [email protected] Kaye-Eddie [email protected] Lambeth [email protected] McDonough [email protected] Mackenzie [email protected] Nickerson [email protected] Rotter [email protected] Young [email protected]

Advisory Board Members -Alan Dacre [email protected] MacHugh [email protected] Cooper [email protected] Roberts [email protected] Erickson [email protected] Woodland [email protected] Birrell [email protected] Pflucker [email protected] Hansen [email protected] Peet [email protected] Kennard [email protected] Evans [email protected] Smith [email protected] Mistral [email protected] Wysocki [email protected] Harrison [email protected] Nickerson [email protected] Alley Zarkades [email protected] Ann Nero [email protected] Trigo [email protected] Ulanowski [email protected] O’Brian [email protected] Beth Klock Perez [email protected] Hines [email protected] Quinlan [email protected] Minondo [email protected] Marroquin [email protected] Handley [email protected] Wagner [email protected] Hollis [email protected] Young slpro@verison,net Shannon Pedlar [email protected] Hittner [email protected] Lee [email protected] Heiser [email protected] Wall [email protected] Reed [email protected] Bealessio [email protected] Manzo [email protected] Vargas [email protected]

PREA (Pura Raza Española Association)PREA is the subsidiary of The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse Association and is the Manager of the P.R.E. Mundial Registry. This

subsidiary was formed in compliance with IRS regulations to ensure the non-profit 501(c)(3) status of the Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse Association. PREA is also a not-for-profit organization, however it is a 501(c)(5) and any contributions to it are not deductible from federal

income tax as a charitable contribution.

PREA AdministratorsPhone (505) 323-4413 • Fax (505) 294-0812

Margarita Smith w [email protected] Conway (Enrolled Agent) w [email protected]

Jolisa Anderson (Enrolled Agent) w [email protected]


The P.R.E. Horse magazine is published quarterly by The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse, a section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit tax-exempt corporation. Gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law. The contribution for tax purposes is limited to the amount which exceeds the value of any goods and services of benefit to the donor. The entire content of the P.R.E. Horse magazine is copyrighted by the P.R.E. Horse Magazine 2012 and may not be reproduced in any manner, either whole or in part without written permission. All rights are reserved. The P.R.E. Horse magazine is not responsible for advertiser’s claims, and while every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all content, the publisher takes no responsibility for the accuracy of statements or content, and can accept no liability for errors, omissions or any inconvenience arising therefrom.

Printed bywww.SpectraPrint.com

10 Our Members Are Special

4 Masthead & Mission 5 Contents & Advertiser Index 6 Comments by Coty 40 Silver Wings - A Poem 41 About El Samaritano

Front Cover Photo by Suzan Sommer, “Chantilly”

2015 Issue II - ONLINE

{ Features }

16P.R.E. Baby Book

2424 Artist Spotlight ~Amy Larson

3030Don’t Let it Happen to Your Horse

Yeguada Cárdenas Horses ........................................................... IFC

C.F. Farms ..........................................................................................1

Lionheart Pure Spanish Horses ......................................................8

Oak Hill .................................................................... 9, 14-15, 23, 28

Hacienda Los Colinas ....................................................................22

Baroque Games ...............................................................................29

GrafX by Laurie...............................................................................33

Gremlan Farms ................................................................................34

Viva Iberica ......................................................................................39

Andalusian Worlds Banquet ......................................................IBC

Luis Lucio Clinic .......................................................................... BC

Advertising Index

36Spanish Tack & Attire ~ Part III


Previously, on Sunday, May 17th 2015 I was at the Santa Barbara Horse Show where Tracy was showing Genio at his next to the last show. He still had one performance

left at a ranch that Tracy later told me was her best memory over the years with Genio, as the horse seemed to sense it was his last show and did an outstanding job! Barbara was also at both shows and it was good to get a few minutes of visiting time with her, in between everyone’s appointed tasks. My job of course was capturing it all with photos…I took a lot of candid shots, before, during & after and while all of them will not make it to print, they will be treasures for those of us who get to enjoy them even years later as we recall our memories.

That Friday at Barbara’s, I brought apples and carrots for Genio and he was such a delight as he gobbled them up and came back asking for more. He also was able to run in the arena without the restrictions of being a show horse. Those photos are my favorite of him as he gracefully maneuvered

his unencumbered body with the proud stance of a Pure Spanish Stallion. After his well-deserved galloping and jump-ing, he came running over to the corral rail and his broad shoulders trembled at the pleasures of his amazing experi-ence. It is a beauty that I find hard to express, and even the photos don’t fully capture what the eyes and heart were able to observe in this special horse.

Afterwards I went to Avi Cohen’s ranch and photo-graphed some of his mares and two Stallions. These photos may appear in an upcoming issue of the maga-

zine, so be sure to watch for them. Also, at the recent All Breeds Show in Santa Barbara, I photographed three Spanish horses that we will also have in the magazine. It is important that we all network and find new horses, owners, and train-ers, to become a part of our growing community.

My last stop on Friday was at Nadine Tilley’s massive sixty-acre spread, Fieldstone Farm. My cover photo of Nadine’s mare, La Traviesa TA and also the article that I wrote about Nadine (Vol. XII 2014 Special Edition, pages 45-49) both won Blue Ribbons at the Santa Barbara Fair & Expo 2015!

COMMENTS BY COTY:

Friday, June 12th 2015 proved to be a lovely day in many ways. My first stop was at Barbara Currie’s ranch, Oak Hill. I pho-tographed Genio-MAC as a retirement send-off for this strikingly handsome eighteen year-old stallion. After years of profes-sional showing in dressage with trainer and rider, Tracy Lynn, this gorgeous horse gets to enjoy the pleasures of being a

stallion at leisure. The duo will occasionally still participate in some exhibition performances, but all the real hard work is behind them. Tracy will still be working in the equestrian field with other horses but she has also started a new life career, by becoming a college student in the area of psychology! Bravo Tracy.

GENIO-MAC

TRACY and GENIO-MAC


Kearsea Morrell is an assistant trainer and she was driving a Bay around the place with the ease of a lady who knows what she is doing. It was a charming sight

to see a horse and buggy roaming around as though it was a different century before the benefits of automobiles. Days like that are my cocktail.

Head trainer, Bill Deeney, had his hat on his head, shielding him from the bright afternoon sun, was first working with mare Sedona TA. Then Bill, was also leading mother and colt on the long walk back to their barn. I captured this surreal event because it showcases the peacefulness of ranch life with horses. Bill’s back was to the camera, the horses tails were both hanging down in a beautiful contrast of opposite colors

and lengths, their hooves moving in soft soothing strides.Mother and son, were happy to be where there were, blessing others by their exquisite equestrian presence. It marked my soul and left an imprint of serenity that I hope will touch others too and remind them of the simple yet profound rich-ness that living on a horse ranch can bring.

COTY - Creative Consultant

COMMENTS BY COTY (con’t):

Nadine, as always, was such an inspiration and also a pleasant hostess and tour guide! She also has beauti-ful skin that defies her age and perfectly manicured

hands & nails and a pretty pedicure that peeked out from her open-toed shoes. I noted that she wisely took care where she placed her unprotected feet around the horses. We loaded up in her ranch cart and she showed me all the new work that is occurring, as well as her new mare that arrived recently from Spain and she shared about the others that are due to arrive close behind! Nadine’s personal assistant Adelle was back in Boston for a family celebration, but we chatted later by phone.

The ranch also has a new little colt, Carano TA. National Grand Champion, Amici BB is the stallion that sired him and the mare is Betica DEL C. This little colt is so well-behaved that I entered his corral without a trace of concern that he might get frisky and bolt into me. My trust was well-placed. He walked gently around me and let me take his picture and also let me pet him with the ease of a horse lover and a foal that loves to be loved too. Those moments make the bigger worries of life melt away and peace enters in and covers the day with color and richness.

AVI COHEN’S Ranch

Carano TA (colt) and Betica DEL C (mare) with Bill Deeney


ESTRELLA5 yr-old grey mare - 2nd level

Sire: Bolero CLII; Dam: TB Wichita

SOLD

LIONHEART


At first we are attracted to these beautiful Span-ish horses and later we learn that the people who own them and love them are just as special

as their horses. Most of the people who belong to The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse are passion-ate supporters of the breed. They understand and endorse the concept of service to the horse we love. Many serve quietly without any desire for thanks or accolades. John and Cher Anderson are two of those people.

Cher spent some of her early years in Mexico City, which is where she first saw the Pure Spanish Horse. She has vivid memories of watching a spectacular show put on by Edith Evans on her pure white P.R.E. stallion. Edith rode and danced with her horse without using reins, thrilling the crowds with her horseman-ship and beauty. She and her horse seemed like they were one. For those of you who don’t remember Edith, she was a renowned international horsemen and bull-fighter who introduced many people in the USA to the breed.

Cher rode Quarter Horses when she was young because her father was a Quarter Horse man. It was twenty-eight years later when she and

her husband John were touring Spain before she saw another Spanish Horse. “We went to an equestrian school in Marbella. John said “Pick One!” “I did but we were not able to import him because of pyroplas-mosis. I hooked up with Miriam Frank who helped me purchase a P.R.E. stallion named Alicante. He was shipped to Oregon to go through quarantine and the fist time I saw him in person was there.“ It was love at first sight and the rest is history. John and Cher went back to Spain six years ago and……..you guessed it… they came back with one more horse! They went to Yeguada Ovelar near Toledo, where they purchased the beautiful mare named Obscura.

Our Members are Special

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

by Barb Clark


Right now there are four P.R.E. Horses in their barn. Cher said “I just enjoy the horses, I ride western and we go out riding in the desert. I used to compete when I was younger but I don’t have the time anymore. I also have a bad back and have to be careful. We haul north of us to the mountains to ride the trails. My little grandson goes along also and has been riding since he was two! Tavin loves the horses! He usually rides with someone since he is only six but it is his favorite thing to do.”

Spanish Flatts Ranch is located in Chandler AZ where John is a nutritional formulator. He has devised mineral supplements for the all the animals

on the ranch. These are made in his lab into a pasty treat that is put into the alfalfa or special treats like carrots or lettuce. Cher said “We believe that rather than giving them just a block of salt, we should give them the same minerals John has formulated for human consumption for the past 32 years. We think this is why they are all so healthy and their coats are so shinny. We do our best to make sure that all the animals are well taken care of.” Cher is very proactive with their animals and makes sure that everyone, including the giraffes, have proper and timely vaccinations. Yes, there are more animals than just the Pure Spanish Horses! John wanted giraffes and he got them. Cher thinks it has been a great experience and admits it would have never occurred to her to own them.

Cher is a graphic artist, wildlife photographer, painter, and jewelry designer (www.cherscreations.com).

Cher and John both love all animals and the couple has quite a collection. They have 3 giraffes, 5 zebras, several miniature Sicilian donkies, goats, sheep, cows, chickens, Sulcata tortoises and sometimes turkeys. You are probably wondering what it is like to have giraffes. Cher and John built the perfect environment for them which includes;

Cher mentioned that the P.R.E. horses did not mind the giraffes at all. Giraffes are very shy and curious; not aggressive.

She elaborated, “When we had camels the horses did not like the them. They probably didn ’t like the smell. The horses can actually walk up the giraffe platform. ”


OUR MEMBERS ARE SPECIAL (con’t):

stalls, a pasture and even a shoot to treat them medically. It sounds like a normal horse operation but there are a few differences. The stalls are 30 feet tall and the size of a 4-stall barn. The pasture is really called a savannah and provides them with the space and feeding stations where the giraffes feel at home. The most interesting part of the savannah are the platforms built at eye level so that peo-ple can get high enough to scratch the giraffe’s heads and give them the hugs they like. Most visitors fall in love with the 6 year old, 18-foot tall Masai Giraffe named Don Juan. He is a lover and would rather receive scratches and hugs than treats. (He almost sounds like a P.R.E.)

The savannah is fashioned after the local wild animal park and the zoo in Phoenix. The wild animal park contributed greatly to the design and zookeepers were on retainers during the construction of the facility. They have a lot of room to roam. John and Cher even toured the San Diego Zoo and incorporated their medical shoot system.

Giraffes have different needs than a horse but they eat alfalfa and also a special feed called Mazuri that is made specifically for them. It is critical for them to eat a lot of tree branches so they are provided with cottonwood

and acacia tree leaves. The giraffe’s gray tong is one inch long for every foot they are tall. They are ruminates like cows and the hardest thing about keeping them is to balance their digestive system. It is the key to their health.

Cher and John have even rescued giraffes. When

Michael Jackson died his giraffes were purchased by someone in Page Arizona.Page is on the rim of the Grand Canyon and too cold for a giraffe to digest food properly so two of them died. The plight of the remaining giraffes was

soon all over the national media. Cher said “we need to contact these people and see if we can help them”, “We already had a giraffe environment so two days later, in the middle of the night, they were dropped off at our ranch. One of them was pregnant but no one knew it.” I re-ceived a call from our ranch manager at 4 am; “You better come down here fast! I have a surprise for you!” This tiny little creature stood in the corner of the immense stall, scared to death” Sweetheart was born June 4 of 2006. “We had to bottle feed her when she was born. Her mother didn’t know how to care for her. She slept with her head on my lap. We gave her colostrum and powdered milk. We fed her every 4 hours for 6 months. In fact we put her in with a zebra called Willow who was born nearly at the same time and was not introduced to the adult other giraffes until she was older. She was afraid of them and would only watch from a distance. When we would try to walk her up to the fence of the savannah she would turn and run. Sweetheart is halter trained and now lives contentedly with the other giraffes.“ Cher thinks their 10 year old Bonnie is pregnant but there is now way to tell at this time. Hopefully next year they will have another baby, which they would really love.

“We learned a lot about keeping giraffes over the years. One of our giraffes lived to be 35, which is quite old. We even created an organization for giraffe owners and zookeepers to share information about their care. It is an international organization that has made a huge differ-


OUR MEMBERS ARE SPECIAL (con’t):

ence in their welfare worldwide.” Cher said proudly.

Cher mentioned that the P.R.E. horses did not mind the gi-raffes at all. Giraffes are very shy and curious; not aggressive. She elaborated, “When we had camels the horses did not like the them. They probably didn’t like the smell. The horses can actually walk up the giraffe platform.” The Spanish Horses are braver and more trusting than most though. The quarter horses and the warmbloods next door are afraid of the giraffes. The owners had to come and get some giraffe manure so their horses could get used to their smell. Most of the horses in the area were afraid of the giraffes.

Spanish Flatts Ranch is home to many different animals. In the future Cher would like to have more horses and wants offspring from her stallion Alicante. She is hoping to get two foals next year. John and Cher don’t foresee keeping the zebras. They have bottle fed the babies to try and make them tamer but once they are returned to the heard even the bottle fed ones reverted to being wild.

How did two animal lovers like Cher and John get together? Cher

is a graphic artist, painter, and makes beautiful jewelry. You can check out some of her work at: www.cherscreations.com. John hired her to work in his business as a graphic artist; they started dating and were married in 2004. Cher is the behind the scenes rock for

John who founded Isagenix and is a great, charismatic public speaker. Cher jokes that she has only said one word on stage in her entire life and that word was “yes”.

Cher explains when John still owned and ran Isagenix they had their annual Celebration during which they always did a segment on Making Dreams Come True for people who have had success with the product line. This particular year John asked Cher to be on stage to help. The stage was the show-room at the Venetian Casino and there were over five thou-sand people in the audience. Cher was wondering who was going to be the person whose dream would come true this year when John appeared on the large screens speaking, soon he asked her to marry him. Cher remembers “I just about fell off of my stool. Everyone started crying and he put the ring on my finger and the only thing I could get out of my mouth, was a “Yes”.

Their wedding has a special sto-ry about it too. When you see Cher at a Foundation event ask her about it. There is something about an elephant in an elevator and her toes…………….

If you are service oriented and love Spanish Horses like John and Cher do we invite you to join us in being a member of The Foundation for the Pure

Spanish Horse. You will be special too!

A g o u r a , C A

Malcolm & Barbara Currie(818) 231-7945

[email protected]

WWW.PREOAKHILL.COM

16 } THE P.R.E. HORSE 2015 Issue 216 } THE P.R.E. HORSE 2015 Issue 2

2015 P.R.E. Filly FoalDam: Fresca | Sire: Fuego

Owner/Breeder: Ami McHughPhoto Credit: Susan Kerr | EquiMotion Pictures

Olympica AK


2015 P.R.E. Colt Foal (left)Dam: Cereza XIV (imported - Calificado)Sire: Oficial MGIII (Imported Marin Garcia)Owner/Breeder: Moonbrook FarmPhoto Credit: Jane Mortenson

Cantame Moon

P.R.E. Baby Book

2015 P.R.E. Colt Foal (right)Dam: Wasilla (by Davidoso AK)

Sire: MG JequeOwner/Breeder: Ami McHugh

Photo Credit: Susan KerrEquiMotion Pictures

Olivo AK


2015 P.R.E. Baby Book (con’t):

2015 P.R.E. Filly Foal (left)Dam: Pele de Perla (Braviogranddaughter)Sire: Oreo (Oriundo VG) Owners: Suzan & Scott Sommer Sommer Ranch Andalusians, CA Photo by Suzan Sommer

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

Nobelza

2015 P.R.E. Filly Foal (right)Dam: Bandolera (by Claudio Vives)

Sire: BeduinoOwner/Breeder: Ami McHugh

Photo Credit: Susan KerrEquiMotion Pictures

Orofina AK


2015 Smokey Black P.R.E. Colt (left)Dam: Ebonista (an Oreo daughter) Sire: PalomoOwner/Breeder: Moonbrook FarmPhoto Credit: Suzan Sommer

Unnamed Colt

2015 P.R.E. Colt Foal (right)Dam: Betica DEL C | Sire: Amici BB

Owner/Breeder: Tilly AndalusiansPhoto by: Coty

Carano TA


On July 26, right before midnight, the Alonso’s UC Davis veterinarian called to let us know a healthy colt foal had just been born.

July 26 was a special day for another reason too...it was Carol and Jose Alonso’s 46th wedding anniversary and Jose’s 74th birthday! Celebrating all day and dog tired, Carol and Jose looked at each other and said, “Let’s go!” They drove out to UC Davis (an hour drive) and spent an hour watching the cute little newborn (his nickname is PICSI (Pixie) because ICSI is the in vitro process that led to his embryo). ICSI = Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection.

Jose and Carol were there until 2am to watch and take photos. They saw the cute ribby colt try to get up on all fours in the slippery straw, and when he finally got up he searched for a teat with encouraging nuzzles from Kaikoura (the surrogate mare), who contentedly let him nurse. Later the same morning, Carol returned to Davis. What a difference already - PICSI, not even one day old, was a little devil jumping around, playing at rearing and bucking, and running from the vet students who were trying to draw blood to check his colostrum level!

The UC Davis team were celebrating the birth as well, as one of their students was to present a paper at an inter-national veterinary conference that next week on “The

Zholani Case.” Zholani is the foal’s real mom, whose follicles they aspirated and sent to Texas A&M for ICSI!

A side note: Julio (PICSI’s sire), celebrated his 24th birthday this summer and I designed a freestyle for him and competed it. Not only did we win but we qualified for the 2015 California Championships!

Welcoming PICSI (Pixie)2015 P.R.E. Baby Book (con’t):

2015 P.R.E. Colt Foal (above)Dam: Kamiah (by Competidor XIII) | Sire: Barbero

Owner/Breeder: Ami McHughPhoto Credit: Susan Kerr - EquiMotion Pictures

Omak AK

2015 Buckskin P.R.E. Filly Foal (above)Dam: Fiona (by Kianto) | Sire: Beduino

Owner/Breeder: Ami McHughPhoto Credit: Susan Kerr - EquiMotion Pictures

Oropesa AK


2015 P.R.E. cream/pearl Filly FoalDam: Perla de Bravio (sired by Bravio)Sire: AG PalomoOwners: Suzan & Scott Sommer Sommer Ranch Andalusians, CA Photo by Suzan Sommer

Chantilly


WINDS OF CHANGE - “Normality is a paved road. It is comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.” ~Vincent Van Gogh

FOCUS ON THE ARTIST:

Amy Larson

I have been lucky in my life, perhaps because I’ve been willing to take the rocky paths, the paths otherwise unchosen.... in order to find the most beautiful of

flowers, wherever it is that they may grow. I was blessed from childhood with my mother’s love of art and horses and my father’s love of the wilderness and it’s wild crea-tures. I spent my youth on the back of a horse, exploring the woods and creeks where we lived. I loved these gifts from both of my parents equally and a large part of my heart roams there still. But I have to say that it is no clearer to me now, whether it is the horses themselves or painting who they are, that is my greater love. I pray that I spend the rest of my life looking for that answer and never find-ing it.

It was inevitable that I would fall in love with Dressage as it is an art form that allows for one of the most intimate of languages between horse and rider. It was

also inevitable that I would be completely captivated by the Iberian horse, with their grace of movement and the fire of their nobility. I must say thanks to the many wonderful horses who have danced with me over the years... horses who came to the arena every day with confidence and enthusiasm. They taught me to admit when I was wrong and they taught me how to fly when we got it right. With courage and joy, my equine partners have given me an incredible journey in this one lifetime. The horses have trusted and allowed me to see who they are and to under-stand what they think and why they do what they do. The passion in my art is to reveal who a horse is in one single


LA LUZ - “I would love to live as the river fl ows, carried by the surprise of its unfolding.” ~John O’Donohue

moment. My muse is to be their voice and this is the wellspring of my art.

Eavesdrop on any group of artists and you will hear them excitedly talking about their subject matter and you

will hear very little discussion about their craft. Artists would rather share the love that drives their creativity rather than the technical process that creates it. If forced to discuss my artistic sense, I would have to say that it is about light. My eye is addict-ed to light and the way it describes a shape, revealing volume, creating abstract patterns with shadow and highlight. A sudden view of a light filled landscape has caused me to slam on the brakes on a highway, causing

O SUNLIGHT - “The most precious Gold to be found on Earth!” ~Roman Payne

FOCUS ON THE ARTIST ~ AMY LARSON (con’t):


whiplash to my passenger and risking rear end collision. I have forced friends to hike endless miles and countless hours with me while I search for a certain back lighting or a specific reflection in an eye. It is a magnificent obsession even though I have most certainly lost friends over it! Light is a life source in nature as it is in art. Light brings a form to life, giving it shape, depth and movement. Light can express beauty and positive emotion. The lack of light, or the way that it is used in a composition can also suggest mystery, fear or the unknown, as in “Be-fore the Helicopters, Mustang”

I have a deep affinity for the wild horses of our American West, so many of them showing the traits of their Spanish ances-tors. I’m a committed advocate for these horses and their right to survive and live free. They are a National treasure that we must manage, protect and preserve. One of my missions is to use my art to help accomplish this goal through donations and fundraisers. I’m also proud to be involved in two organizations that are committed to saving wildlife globally that is threatened or endangered: “Artists against Extinction” and “Artists for Conservation.”

BEFORE THE HELICOPTERS, MUSTANG

“We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and err greatly . For animals shall not be mea-sured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of senses we have lost or never att ained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the web of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth. ” ~ Henry Beston ~ American Naturalist

In closing, my art simply reflects a philosophy of life and the way I feel about every animal who shares our natural world. Henry Beston, an American naturalist explains it so eloquently that I will let him take it from here:

FOCUS ON THE ARTIST ~ AMY LARSON (con’t):


“We patronize them for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and err greatly . For animals shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the web of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth.” ~ Henry Beston ~ American Naturalist

NEWBORNS WEAR HALOS

Amy Larson lives in Topeka, Kansas where she shares her home with three rescue dogs and an African Grey parrot. She teaches Dressage from beginner to Grand Prix and is a full time artist. She is a signature mem-ber of the American Academy of Equine Art as well as The Society of Animal Artists. Her art work can be seen in galleries, museums and private collections worldwide. Her Original art and Giclee prints can be seen on her website: Amy-Larson.Redframe.Com and on her Facebook page, Facebook.com/AmyLar-sonArtStudio.


Text and photos by Diana Hunt

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THE P.R.E. HORSE 2015 Issue 2 { 29 THE P.R.E. HORSE 2015 Issue 2 { 29


Our horses, our friends, of every size and description, donkeys, mules, and even our beloved P.R.E. horses are being sent to slaughter in alarming numbers. The

USA has sent over 140,000 to slaughter in Mexico and Cana-da the last year and this year is no different. According to the US Department of Agriculture, 92% of American horses going to slaughter are in good condition and would be able to live healthy and productive lives if they were given a chance. This could never happen to your horse right?

We know that there are too many horses produced in the USA to be used but the way the industry operates today does not just hurt the horses. As if the inhumanity is not enough, the horse slaughter industry endangers Human Health. Our horses are regularly given substances banned for use in food animals like wormer, phenylbutazone or “Bute”, known to cause potentially fatal human diseases.

The European Union recently banned importation of US horsemeat from Mexico, because it contained drug residues and failed to meet EU food safety standards. By allowing our equines to be exported for slaughterer, we recklessly endanger human lives.

The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse has operated a rescue for P.R.E. Horses and their close relatives since its

inception in 1998 but this last year has been our busiest ever. Thanks to the extreme efforts of Mary Adams, who is af-fectionately known as the Spanish Horse Lady in slaughter rescue circles, hundreds of our horses have been saved from an inhumane trip to a horrific end of their lives.

How do healthy, registered Pure Spanish Horses and their relatives end up being slaughtered? Unsuspecting owners place their horses in auctions thinking they will go to good homes. It is a little known fact that kill buyers who purchase the horses, and load them on the truck to be shipped out of the country, own many of the auction houses. If your horse is healthy and has good weight it is just what the kill buyers are looking for. They are paid by the pound and the heavier the horse, the more money they make so our breed is a prime candidate for shipping out of the country.

The Foundation through Mary Adams and her cadre of concerned citizens locates Spanish Horses in various kill pens throughout the country and rescues them.

The entire process is always an act of panic; since sometimes the horses have only hours until they are shipped out by the time we locate them. Many of the kill pens have people who routinely are allowed to visit and pick out horses to try and save. These angels contact Mary when they find a Spanish Horse and she jumps into action.

The first step in rescuing one of these horses is to find an adoptive home for them. The person adopting them gets an as is horse. Many times nothing is known about the horse. It could be unbroken or highly trained. Usually there is a good guess on the age and condition of the animal but not always. Once we find someone that will take the horse and help pay for all the expenses the “Bail” money has to be paid or raised to pay to the kill buyer. This amount can be from $300 to $1,500.

The next step is to find a quarantine station where the horse can be held for several weeks to a month depending upon where it came from and its condition. This can cost as much as $1,000 alone. Usually the horses that have been exposed to a kill pen come down with some sort of contagious illness so the vet has to be called to treat the illness, which results in an-other expense. Almost all commercial shippers will not take

Don ’t Let it Happen to Your Horse!HORSE SLAUGHTER:

This horse was rescued from a kill lot and is now safe.


a horse from a kill lot so some sort of other transportation has to be arranged to get the horse from the kill lot to the quarantine location. Once the horse has cleared quarantine it can go to its adoptive home.

As you can imagine this entire process can cost as much as $3,000 per horse. The rescue efforts of The Foundation always need more money. If we can reach horses before they get to the auctions and the kill lot we can rescue a lot more of them and stretch out our funds.

Don’t let a horse you love end up among the lost! It is up to us!

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP!

• If you do not want your horse please do not send it to an auction or if you do make sure to place a higher reserve on it so that it does not go to the kill buyers.

• If you do not want your healthy Spanish horse please contact The Foundation at 505.294.0800. We have many loving adoptive homes wait-ing for a horse. The Horse donation form is located: http://www.prehorse.org/assets/programs/horse_do-nation.pdf

• If you know of any dis-placed Spanish Horses please contact The Founda-tion

• Please, Please, register your horse so that it has a micro-chip and can have a chance of being of value in case it ever does end up at an auc-tion.

• If you can provide a loving home for a Spanish Horse, or one of its relatives please fill out and send in the adoption application that

is located at: http://www.prehorse.org/assets/programs/adoption.pdf

• Donate money to The Foundation’s rescue fund or if you can’t do that you can help by holding fundraisers for the Rescue Fund.

• Get a Foundation Visa Card

• Use Amazon Smile selecting The Foundation as your charity

• Use IGive.com when purchasing from the Internet with The Foundation as your charity.

Together we can help make sure that no Spanish Horse suffers the horrific and cruel conditions that the slaughter industry considers standard today. The

Foundation has formed an Equine Welfare Committee, which welcomes your interest and support. Please let us know if you are interested in joining.

HORSE SLAUGHTER (con’t):

The mare below was rescued from a shelter and now has a job! She was spayed and serves as a tease mare for a veterinary clinic.


Spanish Tack & Riding AttireA CHOICE OF TwO STYLES: PART THREE

by Richard Lust, Viva-Iberica


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Silver WindsFrom shadow and pain she drifts away

To golden gates and endless hayShe charges ahead, ears up, eyes brightOn soundless wings she now takes flight

Through silver winds with wings of goldShe loses touch of dark and cold

Her coat now gleams with crystal’s sheenDancing though great fields of green

Away with worry, but not with loveShe watches them from up above

Prancing, flying, no need for sleepBut aware is she of those who weep

A sign for those who’ve yet to flyA flash of colors against blue sky

She knows her flight has caused dismayA final message she must convey

“Mother don’t you cry for meI’m eating from an apple tree

I’ve wings of gold and no more fearYou need not shed another tear

I loved my life I’m sad to goWe’ll meet again, like rivers flowI’ll see you again, no pain no cold

Through silver winds with wings of gold ~ Samantha Kennard


El Samaritano Equestrian Center!THE STORY OF:

Paradise Valley is a place where the cacti rule the landscape and the sun dances off the rock mountains to illuminate the diverse desert vegetation. In the 1950’s, the valley population of Phoenix is little more than 100,000. Scottsdale is a distant quaint town where sun seeking tourists, optimistic entrepreneurs and real estate developments become visionaries for future

success. Farm and ranch land surround the valley. Only a handful of locals can boast of their many generations settled in this fine place.

The Merrill family is one who can stake a 5 generation claim in the area. Stories of pioneer days and “Billy the Kid” grace the family dinner table. The Merrill’s own a ranch and Phil Merrill is a young lad yearning to explore the vast deserts with his best friend Navajo, a horse nearing 17 hands which he acquired from a hunting guide. As time passes the two become inseparable taking long journeys in the desert exploring, hunting, and galloping all through the desert terrain. There is no need for saddles and bridles, rather bareback with a lead-rope as the two ride as one. It is an adventurous child-hood shaping a young man’s dreams which lead him to present day success.

Mr. Phil Merrill acquired his pilot’s license as a young man and found his new zest for life in the sky. His name becomes synony-mous for generosity and integrity. Joining an organization named the “Flying Samaritans” he became a volunteer pilot for the Arizona chapter. Every month the “Flying Samaritans” transport health care workers to Mexico to help those in need in the Baja Peninsula. This routine has become part of Mr. Merrill’s life for over 25 years.

By the year 2013 Phil had seen much of the globe, achieved many goals and enjoyed life to the fullest. A friend talked him into a vacation to Costa Rica where he met a young

woman named Sandra. She had a zest for horses and rekindled his love for them and his memories of Navajo. Together they rode on horseback through the jungles of Costa Rica and she introduced him to a new breed of horse called the Pura Raza Espanola, (P.R.E.). Visiting many breeders in Costa Rica and learning about the PRE horse he became enamored with the special qualities of the breed. Together Phil and Sandra started their journey to make a dream come true.

To find both a suitable and appropriate horse property takes patience and perseverance. During a drive in North Scottsdale one day, Phil and Sandra drove up to “Bar A Ranch”. In the entrance paddock of the property was a solitary, white Pura Raza Espanola horse. An equine inspiration began to introduce more of the breed to the area. Next door to “Bar-A-Ranch” was another stable and co-


incidentally Sandra had stumbled into Manuel Trigo, a Span-ish trainer formerly of Costa Rica. The barn had a number of Spanish horses in training with Manuel and the timing of their meeting was uncanny.

Phil Merrill acquired business opportunities for both Bar-A-Ranch and present day El Samaritano Equestrian Center adjacent to it. Nearing 100 stalls in total, the

business has become a full time operation. Phil had a desire to find himself a Spanish Grand Pre Dressage horse to make his dream complete. Sandra and Phil spent hours looking for Spanish horses both within USA and abroad.

Determination paid off in November 2014 when Phil found a horse named Samaritano IX located in the south of Spain. Being a “Flying Samaritan” himself, Phil was drawn imme-diately to this special horse. He was a Grand Prix dressage champion and was taking the nation by surprise. Phil and Sandra had the opportunity to go to Spain and meet the magnificent horse Samaritano IX. He was everything Phil hoped for and more. The week in Spain was filled with visits to Spanish Yeguadas and the wonderful cultures of flamenco and old town ambiances of Malaga and Sevilla. Phil and San-dra returned home to Scottsdale AZ with 2 Spanish stallions named Samaritano IX and Gabito.

Samaritano IX is a horse full of presence and life and melts the hearts of everyone who meets him. It was time to name the new equine facility. An obvious

choice emerged embracing both the man and his horse, “El Samaritano Equestrian Center”.

January 10, 2015 was a special day for Phil and Sandra. They exchanged marriage vows in their equestrian center shared with close family and friends and witnessed by two Spanish stallion mascots. They could not be happier that they have such a common goal and love for each other, horses, and the P.R.E.

EL SAMARITANO EQUESTRIAN CENTER (con’t):

time to name the new equine facility. An obvious

2015 p.r.e. baby book - preview

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