Yeguada VIKINGA PRE

New Yeguada VIKINGA PRE blog!

2011-01-23T14:16:00.000-08:00

We have moved to:
http://vikingapre.bloggplatsen.se/

Brrr - que frio!

2011-01-22T12:40:00.000-08:00

It is very cold in Madrid! Yesterday was check up with my rheumatologist and in evening I was out with friends in Madrid. We went to a indian restaurant (the only food I REALLY enjoy fully) and then to cinema to see 'Hereafter' that turned out to be a really good one. Prince and princess of Spain (Felipe and Leticia) has also chosen to see this movie, a majestic couple of sparkling class and they seem to be sympathetic people too.
Today riding - defrosting hands under the saddle - riding - stopping - defrost - start again - and so it went on, not my climate, definitely not but I still don't complain as I only have to think about swedish winter that is a thrillion times worse. I was sent a video from a horse we sold to Singapore and you see the swaying palmtrees and hear the tropical birds in the backround - one lucky horse ...
Have you seen all the new horses on Horsespre?
Tomorrow we have visitors from Ecuador, they are breeders and are coming to see a PRE studstallion for their studfarm.
Here our pride Donoso VII in a new painting by Frédérique Lavergne available for sale on http://www.frederiquelavergne.com/
Donoso VII

And a poster from my massage lady, Mer Maroto Mingo - she is the best and I can really recommend her treatments! Ver Mercedes Maroto Mingo on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000471277655&ref=profile#!/profile.php?id=835722210

We present: Delegado Mac

2011-01-18T11:29:00.000-08:00

Sire of our stud stallion Halagador Cen is Delegado Mac.
Delegado is a unique PRE stud stallion. Remarkably he was born black (without any white markings) out of grey parents and ancestors. Delegado Mac is bred by Miguel Àngel de Cárdenas and is owned by Yeguada Centurion.

See bloodline here: http://www.lgancce.com/lgpreancce/asp-publico/arbolGenealogicoPRE/ConsultarArbolGenealogicoPRE.aspx?ID=P6ADKTrPdLg=

This stallion has now over 350 offsping and 40 of them are competing in different parts of the world. We have been impressed by many of them and have seen the line develop in combination with other lines: Yeguada Militar, Escalera, Bohorquez etc. All Delegado offring have a special expression and class. They have good movements, light and elastic with alot of expression. Good racetype and correct conformation. Generally Delegado's are elegant with a wonderful neck and a beautiful head. What also makes this stallion a contrasted stud is not only his abount of offspring but most importantly his ability to bring down his genetics strongly. This is essential for the work of the breeder and for the guarantee of quality in the offspring.
Delegado Mac

Offspring Halagador Cen, his page here

His video: Halagador Cen

2011-01-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

See video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuy6YhPA_2I

Photo album: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=100000471277655&aid=56033
Halagador's page: http://www.horsespre.com/product/product.asp?id=1062&fn=true&scid=7&cid=0
Hingstar Online: http://www.tidningenridsport.se/HingstarArticle.aspx?m=75262&m1=75040&a=568965
Halagador Cen

We present; Donita VIK

2011-01-10T13:25:00.000-08:00

Donita VIK 8 months
See her page here:

Daddy - Donoso VII

And look (below) who is in January number of Ecuestre in a extensive article about breeding the horse for its capacity to produce physical power: 'Ecuestrian education' - Evaluations from the Forum of pinions of The Spanish Horse'. An article directed to the breeder and the rider.
The Forum says; 'Breeder only work with probabilities, as breeding is no exact science. There is no doubt breeding is under the influence of material needs, economy and psycology of these times and does not even manage to avoid fashion'. The main themes of the PRE breeding could be divided into:
- Selection
- Reproduction
- Training
- Dressage
1. Photo; Donita VIK's mum Intimidad Cen. Textnote; 'There is no doubt that the breeder is important in this century'

2. Photo Donita VIK. Textnote; 'The horse is an animal that has been bred for it's capacity to produce power'.

Info om avelshingstar uppdaterad!

2011-01-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

Nu finns ny info om hingstarna tillgängliga på deras sidor!

Halagador Cen

Festivo MR

Donoso VII

Another Donoso VII offspring!

2011-01-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

We present Donoso's son – Knut of Asige! This handsome boy is born June 2010 and is a very sucessful combination of a PRE cross with Swedish Sport Pony. His human 'mum' Ann-Charlotte loved him from the first moment she saw him - 'he came out looking like a kingly statue from day 1', she told us with great pride. Just like the other Donoso-daughters he is a copy of his father. He was named him after the king Knut af Asige that lived in a castle just behind their farm during the medieval times. Ann-Charlotte is a swedish sport horse breeder and Knut will be her future personal dressage horse, we look forward to follow them both!

Knut af Asige - PRE/Swedish Sport Pony
u. Power Girl
e. Donoso VII
ue. Power Boy
Born June 2010
Dark Bay stallion
(Sorry about the photo-quality, I am definitely not living up to Javier's standards..)

Daddy-Donoso VII and me competing Msv level in Sweden 2009

Talmud sold to Mexico!

2010-12-29T17:27:00.000-08:00

After some thinking, evaluations and a little more thinking and feeling we have decided to accept a serious offer for our dear Talmud. I will let you know how we reason.
For us selection is a daily routine, we have the privilige for some time now, to work with with professional breeders and be able to study and select PRE / PSL horses in their natural environment, in dressage competitons and at PRE championships. The selection can seem excessively pedantic from our part, however we take selection seriously as it aims at providing proper horse material for international breeders/riders. These horses are not only our representatives but also the representatives of the PRE (or PSL) race.
Now we have made a selection of our own horses with the responsability as a breeder being the foundation. Objective selection of the professional breeder is essential for development, one can only allow oneself to breed with the superior horse material. We have now had Talmud for some time and we evaluated him to be a grand horse, for his conformation, movement and temperament. However we are now focusing on international PRE's which takes the breeding to another level. We are also clear about what breeding lines we believe in and which ones has proven to be functional. All the necessary qualities are well represented in Donoso VII, Festivo MR and Halagador Cen. So with some objective reasoning we decided we only want to breed and excel this level of horses, and exclusively merited adult stallions. This provides a important guarantee to the breeders using our stallions.
But we still love Talmud and knowing he will have a beautiful tropical home, will be very well taken care of and appreciated, we are happy. We wish him and his new owner all the best of luck!

Talmud

Arriving to christmas

2010-12-22T14:28:00.000-08:00

We finally arrived to my lovely swedish home with this beautiful snowy landscape and -20C degrees!

(Luckily ice is on the outside..)

Good travel-dog Betty

In the December number of Ecuestre there was a very interesting article about the famous architect José Luis Picard Castellón, a grand architect and lover of the art of architecure and horses, both perfections. He compated the beauty of a horses to the beauty of architecture, saying the horse is a perfected being, a perfection of art just like the architecture should strive to be. The article is really interesting, there is an objective evaluation of the qualities of a horse; fine structure, powerful, elastic, potential from extremities and with balance of neck, head and croup. The beauty of architecture lies solely in the geometric harmony that is what produces our emotion when we observe it. He also make a comparison with the noble materials of a bulding; marble, fine woods, ceramics, metals etc with those of a horse, the fine shiny skinlike coat in different shades like dark bay, chestnut, black. He says the horse is the most perfected Art of creation. José Luis Picard Castellón is the architect of the REAAE, Real Escuela Andaluza in Jerez, among many others.
Picture; Donoso VII is being the beautiful horse representative in article

Yeguada VIKINGA PRE

wishes everyone a

FELIZ NAVIDAD

and a 2011 filled with

BEAUTY

HAPPINESS

HARMONY and

SUCCESS!

Holidays coming up

2010-12-19T13:27:00.000-08:00

Holidays are coming up for me and my boys and how do I do it!? How stressful can a holiday be? Well, I better get over myself and chill out because it is christmas after all and the horses are in good hands and I have the perfect christmas house to come home to, and a horse too! They say she is absolutely beautiful, that she is a flashy mover a very very clever little lady - can't wait to see pretty little baby Donita VIK!
Today was her first day back home with extra mummy Aniara that was very happy to see her adopted daughter again, brr, but very cold..
Aniara & Donita VIK in Sweden

Donitas dad Donoso VII December 2010

His story; Talmud

2010-12-16T12:21:00.000-08:00

Talmud
2006
e. Frondoso J.T
u. Doña Ines
The Talmud saga is still quite short. We met Talmud and in January 2010 and we liked him instantly. We could see he was a good person, totally uncomplicated to ride and handle and we loved his expression and movement. In summer he was now basic ridden and owner took him back from training so he could grow into his body, better not rush with a 168 cm pure carthusian, take care, take care.
In november we did not want to test fate anylonger because we really did not want to see this horse disappear. So we closed our eyes (did not count how many horses we now had), went with gut feeling and bought him!
Talmud

February 2010

On arrival in November

In November we had Talmud APTO approved for breeding. He has now started his school and does the Pessoa, riding indoor and outdoors in countryside. Talmud is a pure carthusian, he is 168 cm tall and his movement is totally correct.

It is very rare to find such size and straight movement in a pure carthusian. He has three good gaits, he has great engine, the typical kneeaction and he gets somewhere with his strides. He is quite a special horse in many ways. Talmud has talent!
Talmud and Javier

His story; Festivo MR

2010-12-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

Festivo MR
2004
e. Academico VII
u. Escogida XL
Dear Festivo came to us in May 2010. Again he was one of the horses selected for Horsespre's clients (at this point I think we are becoming one of our best clients!), as you can see we only select horses we would buy for ourselves. When we first saw him he made us lift our eyebrows because all we could see was BIG. I rode him in a tiny little paddock and I was amazed how easy it was for him to collect all that movement and all that body in such a tiny little space. And how easy it was for tiny me with my fibromyalgia-body. The canter was super, how easy it was to collect all that body and movement. I could feel alot of capacity in the trot but he was so totally unfit and floppy no way could he get it all together and do a extention. And the walk was big, again a little wobbly from lack of excersize. I wanted to put some pressure to see what happened and Festivo got really upset, poor thing, that's when I understood he was a BIG BABY. Sorry sweety, but I loved how you moved! So then I knew. So I jumped off and lifted my eyebrows again, I was surprised it was so comfy up there!
So when passed vetcheck we went to get him. They took him out of stables and again we lifted our eyebrows, he looked so impressive. He hardly fit into the trailer but he did not even hesitate just walked straight on.
Back home in Jade we lounged him in roundpen. We were quiet and Javier asked me after a while, what do you think about his movement really? We are very critical people (even more so with what is our own and with ourselves) but I said 'I think it is really good!'. We were both alittle surprised, surprised we suddenly had ANOTHER horse (was really not our plan) and then this BIG and BEAUTIFUL one that also seemed to move for REAL!

Riding Festivo for the first time in May 2010

So in summer we trained s l o w l y. He was floppy from not really moving hardly at all and it is alot of body to get going. So walker and light work.
Festivo at Jade

Festivo in training with handler

We decided to bring compete him in autumn and Caravaca was the first show. Here he won the MEJORES MOVIMIENTOS and scored 24 for movement both in hand and in the ridden test, splendid! He was 5th totally and with these results he was qualified to SICAB.
Festivo & Tony in Caravaca

Before movement final

Warm up for the Funcionalidad

Winner of MM section 10, 5& 6 year old stallions!

So finally it was time for SICAB. Here Festivo made a serious statement and entertained. He got a warm applaud and won MEJORES MOVIMIENTOS in section 10. He beat Absolute Champion and Reserve Champion of Spain!!

Festivo in SICAB November 2010

Merits;

- 2007 Title; MEJORES MOVIMIENTOS sec. 6 Equital
- 2010 Title; MEJORES MOVIMIENTOS sec. 10 Caravaca de la Cruz
- 2010 Title; MEJORES MOVIMIENTOS sec 10 Spanish Championships, SICAB
SICAB again

I just want to talk a little about Festivo's quality of movement because it is quite unique for a PRE. It is important to note this horse is not shown in a flashy way, his movement does not come out of putting the horse in tension. The trot is not a passagy, artifical one, the movement a is natural one and is always in relaxation. His strides are long and covers alot of ground, it is SLOW, not fast and choppy. Personally I think this is the quality of movement we need for dressage and what we need to develop in the PRE, what do you think?

His story; Halagador Cen

2010-12-13T06:06:00.000-08:00

Halagador Cen
2003
e. Delegado Mac
u. Bondadosa XXII
We have over the years seen alot of brothers and sisters to Halagador but this horse was always our favourite. In summer 2010 we decided to sell our breeding mares and dedicate our time to getting our stallions merited. When we sold Halagador's sister Intimidad Cen we were hoping her bloodline would continue with Halagador, but that was all just a plan or a dream rather.
Halagador Cen

We had followed this horse since he did his championships as a three year old and I also rode him as a three year old. The impression stayed with me for always. He has a incredible softness to him, he is very flexible and elastic in body and in movement. These movements in combination with his classical spanish beauty makes him a truly desirable PRE stud/ dressage stallion. And he jumps like a panther.
August 2010

2007

He had been on our books for a long time being one of the most exclusive PRE stallions we had listed for sale. Exclusive does not always mean expensive but in his case this was so. His quality, combination of supreme bloodlines and beautiful black without no white markings is what it is, expensive. We offered him to professional breeders but as I the information was that he was piropositive this closed all possibilities for a sale.
July 2010

So believe my surprise when he came out piro negative!? I would have had him sold about 10 times knowing this, Iberian Horse Service S.L lost a sale but Yda. VIKINGA PRE won the horse! For us this was a dream come true. Nothing bad that does not serve good also, Halagador is happiness!

Arrival day July 2010

Merits;- Halagador Cen has a silver medal from a important championship in which he beat stallions like Nero AM, Bailador JB that are now multichampions and Reproductores Calificados.
- He participated in SICAB with very good results and was placed 33 out of 53. He has not competed since but been used as a stud stallion by his breeder Yeguada Centurion.
- Halagador has 9 PRE offspring.

Training autumn 2010

His story; Donoso VII

2010-12-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

I will here present short summary of our breeding stallions one by one. We start with Nr 1 because that is exactly what he is!

Donoso VII
2002

e. Garboso XXXV

u. Donosa VIII

Donoso VII came to us in December 2008, same year as Yeguada VIKINGA PRE was founded. We saw in him a foundation stallion for breeding and a horse with much talent for dressage.

2009 we brought Donoso to Sweden to start his breeding and competitions in dressage and championships.

This turned out to be a fun experience. Donoso is a intelligent horse that knows what is expected from him and was totally clear with when to breed and when to concentrate on training or competition. He did 2 level 4, MSV, Intermediate level and performed very well.

Training in Sweden

In Halmstad, Sweden

The Swedish National Championships for PRE he won and got two champion titles; Absolute Stallion Champion and Absolute Champion Functionality.

Swedish National Championships 2009

Donoso was qualified for SICAB in which we participated and got his merit as one of Spains 39 best adult stallions 2009.

SICAB 2009

2010 he did the Euoropean Championships for PRE, FIECVAL, in Valencia, Spain. Here he got ranked as 27th best adult European stallion.

FIECVAL 2010

Donoso VII is being trained in classical dressage with the goal Prix St George 2011.

Donoso VII & Viktoria December 2010

Our stallions available for breeding 2011

2010-12-11T11:25:00.000-08:00

Festivo MR and all our stud stallions are available for breeding 2011. ANCCE has prohibited artifical insemination of the APTO (Basic Approved) stallions and the mare owners are obliged to cover their mares naturally. Therefore APTO stallions can only be available in respective countries. Our stallions will be standing at stud and available for breeding in Spain in January, February and March. Depending of number of bookings we will also bring them to stud in Sweden and make them accessible to the swedish breeders for the rest of the breeding season.
For more information about our stallions DONOSO VII, FESTIVO MR, HALAGADOR CEN and TALMUD see their pages on http://www.horsespre.com/ under Yda VIKINGA PRE.
You are very welcome to contact us for more information!
Email; info@horsespre.com
Tel; 0034 616314307

Halagador Cen

Festivo MR

Donoso VII

Talmud

Videos Festivo MR SICAB 2010

2010-12-11T10:45:00.000-08:00

Training;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8oq3Jo4cKw
Morfologia, winning movements title;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnQsW9YXPos
More ridden;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgJhmEM8CC0

Festivo MR

Festivo MR in swedish magazine

2010-12-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

See Tidningen Ridsport here;
http://www.tidningenridsport.se/Article.aspx?m=45207&a=543972
Festivo MR after workout in Sevilla

Presenting our carthusian stallion!

2010-12-05T09:14:00.000-08:00

See his page here; http://www.horsespre.com/product/product.asp?id=1293&fn=true&scid=7&cid

Talmud

A cut-the-crap article about SICAB

2010-12-02T11:47:00.000-08:00

Great article from Eurodressage!
http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2010/12/02/state-sicab-2010
Beautiful

Celebrating best handler 2010

New horse for sale, barock golden buckskin with body and movement and no white markings - a wow one!

Back from days of glory to reality

2010-12-01T11:59:00.000-08:00

There are so many things to catch up with when you have been away for a whole week, puh, I love being on competitions, SICAB is a favourite, excitement mixed with social fun, many swedish visitors this year, all day walking, talking, observing and riding. But it is also exhausting and the days after feels like a hangover. I found my darlings all well and VERY ready to work, they have had a week off in walker and paddock and they were begging for some action! Today my mother went back to Sweden to prepare for christmas month, many things needs to be done before holidays. Christmas for me will be in Sweden because in no way is it possible to have christmas in any other place. Here some beautiful random Javier photos from SICAB.
Swedes with some genuine spaniards

Our corner

Tony & Festivo MR

Tony con amigo

Movement Champion of Spain 5&6 year old stallions!

Horses for sale!

Will be listed on www.horsespre.com shortly!

Festivo training SICAB

2010-11-30T08:39:00.000-08:00

Some shots from training at SICAB, for full album see Yeguada VIKINGA PRE's Facebook page; http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=177416392284069&set=a.177412065617835.49387.100000471277655&ref=notif&notif_t=photo_comment#!/album.php?aid=49387&id=100000471277655

Festivo MR & Viktoria Sandberg

Festivo MR - Spanish Movement Champion 5&6 year old stallions!

2010-11-29T12:34:00.000-08:00

Smilingly we returned to a snowy Madrid, we have had a fun and successful week in Sevilla, Festivo managed to put everyone behind and winning the movements title MEJORES MOVIMIENTOS!! He really took off in the longrun and beat everyone including this years spanish Champion and Reserve Champion that were also from his section 5 and 6 year old stallions! Alas he got to final where he competed agains the best mover from all adult sections, here he came out a little tired, he and Artista were the favourites for the Spanish Champion in Movement title but that day a beautiful mare was the best presented. Festivo is 4rth best adult mover in Spain, how about that!!??!! Over 900 horses were participating in SICAB this year. MUCHAS GRACIAS a Tony, and all the rest of you giving support, it is truly respected very appreciated!

Here Festivo's results, under Morfologia you can see his video;
http://213.236.7.147/concursosOnLine/w_detalleEjemplar.aspx?eje=141865&img=9310.jpg&tip=ejemplar&idSeccion=1614&identificador=9310

Festivo MR and Tony SICAB 2010

Here in final for spanish champion movement of Spain

We were so nervous it was almost unbearable!

Six judges for the final (one missing here)

Donoso VII in Eurodressage

2010-11-16T15:26:00.000-08:00

Snowman got his first ride out in the countryside today, cows, tunnels, train, raodworks, but he said 'come what may, here I am walking on my path', good boy. Donoso is so secure in himself so he transmits this calmness and is a great hike-partner.
And the PRE is on! Here an article from Eurodressage, it is Donoso that representing the dressage PRE in the video! http://www.eurodressage.com/equestrian/2010/11/05/katharina-braren-vitamin-e-spanish-dressage

Photos from today by mamma Kerstin

Thanks for sharing

2010-11-15T11:42:00.000-08:00

It is real cold here in Madrid, today was first day fingers and toes got numb, brrrr! Poor big-baby Festivo is now a little achy in his grand body, so after today's work it was his turn to get the spa-treatment, thanks mum Knata, he said.
I wanted to make a comment as I really appreciate people that are generous and 'give of themselves', 'bjuder på sig själva', thanks for sharing fellow bloggers, facebookers and hompagers. I decided to share my horse-life with you, it is the most positive I have and I am determined to share only positive things and feelings. I really appreciate the response I get from everyone from comments, emails and phonecalls, it means alot to me, thank you! So even though this is a horse orientated diary it is natural to me to make what I do personal and personal writing (and reading) can also be comforting. So here here are some more personal pieces of me.
First, I love my country, Sweden has given me so many opportunities and I do not take them for granted anymore, living abroad makes you appreciate your roots. Support from fellow scandinavians will always be extra-special to me, we share the same consciousness and there is a underlying understanding which is very soothing. Spain in all its sunny glory, but swedish humor, culture (especially horse-culture) and tv is simply the best because I can identify with it. However I consider my self a citizen of the world, race and countries are not important, sometimes we connect with people we do not have anything in common with, only that which we are, and that is very special.
I am a teacher (Stateschool and Waldorf/Steiner) and I love to educate people not only animals, however, lately I have not been able to do this, and I miss it. But I can live with that. I did my teacher training in England so a very important part of my life was done in english, which is one of the reasons why I write this in english. I have also lived and worked as a teacher in Belize, Nicaragua, England and spent time in India studying meditation and culture. Again I find myself living outside of my own culture, which is mostly fascinating, but not always so..
Two days ago day my mother and me were attacked by a man walking his dog, he was obviously a very agressive person. He attacked us for picking up our dogs when his big dog came running, he was offended because as he said his dog was a kind one, well any big dog is frightening to a chihuahua! After shouting abusively I told him to please shut up and go away and that was when he came running and got hold of my throat and shouted me he would kill me and my mother aswell. My mother was desperately trying to defend me with a small chihuahua dog leash, I have seen spanish men with agressive energy before, but my mum has not and I did not want her to, it is not pretty. It all finished ok, I stood my ground and called the police so he left. Resume he was a crazy man overwhelmed by grief as his mother just died, I felt sorry for him, but his negativity stays with him.
I have a fadder-child in East Polynesia, hopefully my help gives her a better life, the aid program is sending me updates of her progress and it is lovely to see. If you are interested in helping children in need here is the webpage; http://plansverige.org/
My horses are the ones what really makes me happy. I am only hoping this happiness is a little contaigious to you, just as yours is to me, I love to learn and find it enouraging to read about happy, successful and intelligent people, you inspire me. So be happy and keep smiling!
Halagador arriving, July 2010

Donoso & me in Sweden, summer 2009

Start 2nd place Int I, June 2010

Festivo 'Mejores Movimientos' in Caravaca, autumn 2010

Program SICAB

2010-11-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

Festivo MR will be competing on wednesday at 16.00, morfology section 10 (studstallions 5 & 6 years). For full program in spanish see here;
http://www.ancce.es/panelc/spaw/uploads/files/programa_sicab2010_10nov.pdf
Festivo MR June 2010

His video

2010-11-11T09:59:00.000-08:00

My mother and Donut after today's workout, doggisarna Fiffi & Bettan.

Here video of 'Fax' in freedom and ridden on the lounge, from February this year, here just broken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztGb2t2q7EI

APTO approved for breeding

2010-11-10T09:20:00.000-08:00

Today ANCCE APTO approved 'Shadowfax' for breeding. As you might know the APTO test is a very basic examination made by a veterinarian delegate from ANCCE, however all angles are measured, height and immidiate defects are pointed out. 'Fax' had good angles, no defects, and was measured 168 cm tall. So in reality he is now approved for breeding. There lies great responsability for the breeder in the selection of a breeding stallion, not only for ones own offspring but also for the future of the race. I have my criterias very clear of what is a good breeding stallion and a good representative of the race. I am also clear with which ones should not be used for breeding, and if I am not I make sure to take objective professional advice. In my opinion a APTO approved stallion aswell as a Qualifed Reproductor need to show themselves to be funcitonal ridden horses. In my opinion they should have merit from dressage competitions or be able to show a good level of correct training. A APTO approved stallion should, again in my opinion, also have a merit from a A or B (from where official qualification is given) PRE championship. It isn't good enough with any merit from any dressage competition or any PRE Championship for that matter, no, we have to make a serious effort for this race to be seriously recognized.
Today Start had a long walk grazing and then a 'spa' lazer treatment from my mother that he enjoyed alot. I rode two and that was today's day in the stable, a good day.
Kerstin grazing Start

The new guy!

2010-11-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

Yes today has been a windy-rainy day, my poor parents timing is definitley unlucky, two days ago we were having lunch like this!

Jeanette & Eva-Lotta

Did some emailing in the morning and went to horses in the afternoon, lounged Festivo with Pessoa first and then a workout. He was good so I made it short and happy. He is working hard so I want to keep it spirit-up. After him I did Donoso on long-reins, my mother said he looks spectacular.
And here is our new PRE stallion!
He is a 'Shadowfax', white & magical, pure kindness and 100% carthusian! So lovable and he flies.. And only 4 years old and 170 cm tall. We love him already!

Weekend with friends!

2010-11-07T08:49:00.000-08:00

We have had a great weekend doing Madrid, shopping, riding and laughing alot. As both my friends are also horse-women we went out riding in the countryside with Start, Donoso and Festivo. Festivo went very high in energy as two pretty mares came running over the fields so L & P had to open the gates because no way could I jump off, he was 5 metres tall and I would have never have made it up again! Donoso on the other hand didn't lift an eyebrow, just chilled in the sun, and Start is only interested in achieving a piece of grass or else. It was a lovely day, the sun shining over the mountains is a very beautiful sight. After we did some training so after 1 hours walk and another hour of training Festivo thought his workout was over. I was definitely over!
Finally autumn has arrived so after airport I spent rest of the morning rearranging my wardrobe that is now prepared for winter. Now I am waiting for next visit, my parents are coming with their caravan car, all the way from Sweden!
Lotta & Pyret

Me & Pyret

Pyret trying out Donut!

Festivo Il Divo!

Photos by Lotta

Just another day

2010-11-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

So today I started with body care i.e massage by a super professional lady that is also a very good friend. This is the luxury I give myself every week and part of my body healing. I have now been told to take several supplements, funnily enough most of them turned out to be the same things I give my horses, there you go, more connected to my horses than to myself, interesting. In the afternoon I went riding in 19 degrees it said on my car!
I met a lady in the natural food shop the other day, she gave me the advice to try to eat as much swedish food as possible, so here I come IKEA. And now I have just been watching some swedish TV, I love to watch things I can relate to and there are a few real cute ones that are really funny. So I sit there and feel very swedish and enjoy it. Simple pleasure.
I had this one taken yesterday from the car, we live below the rainbow.
Goodnight all, tomorrow will be a even better day!

Working hard

2010-11-02T15:41:00.000-07:00

Incredible, the sun returned after a few days of rain and wind, today we had 19 degrees! My body feel so much better when it is dry, come cold, come dark but stay away rain, the humidity kills me. Festivo is working hard and being a good student, I feel he has done a very good progress in this little time. He just turned 6 years old the 20tieth of October! I rode Donoso and he is glowing and keep asking for more.. And today we went to pick up this handsome 4 year old!

Festivo in training

2010-10-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

This is Festivo today with handler, he is in very good shape, bum is now apple shape, the countdown has started, only three weeks to go... pressure is bulding up for the biggest PRE event in the world!!

Are you going? If you are please come say hello, and if we don't recognize and do the stare straight through you it is because of we are spaced out by our nerves, so please grab us!
Will you be there??!!

I have been changing diet to get my physical condition better, ahhh, it is so hard, if only I had 10% of the interest I have in horses, it would be so helpful.. I used to be a vegan, do microbiotic food diets and I was a vegetarian for 7 years so it should not be so difficult to but it is! So now I am brainwashing myself - I will be a better rider with a better body - yes, I think that one works alittle.. This week I will have visitors from Sweden which will be fun, my 'sister' Lotta and Pyret, Lotta is one of those friends from always, we grew up together in the stable, started up a pony club, arranged competitions and I remember we did a live-play with our horses, we got a big audience and charged them entrance if they were not VIP guests. I was blessed with a wonderful childhood, all natural play with horses.
Festivo in handler training

Tony & BIG baby

Festivo in his house this evening, loves to roll in woodshavings..

Interview with Viktoria in spanish horse magazine

2010-10-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

Spains leading horse magazine Ecuestre did this interview with me just after Festivo's success in Caravaca, thank you Eva for writing my little story! See translation in english below.
From Ecuestre November 2010

A CHANGE OF AIR
She was born 36 years ago in Halmstad, on the westcoast in south of Sweden. The home was one with a horse atmosphere, her fathers where, -and are still- breeders of Swedish Warmbloods. However, she has chosen the Iberian races and PRE breeding, with which ones she is competing here and in her homecounty. The vision that Viktoria offers can be useful when we want to analyze the interest of foreign breeders of our race and also how they are recieved in Spain.

She tells us that her horse experience started when she was six and that she had a horse that 'jumped everything'. From then on it showed she was a perfeccionist, pedantic with the estetics. Her jumping trainer told her not everything had to be beautiful and perfect, and with this Viktoria Sandberg understood her inclination was dressage and her natural discipline.
”The harmony, feeling and connection are what is most important for me”, she says now, with her 36 years of age.

She arrived to Spain 2002 to do el Camino a Santiago and this was when she had her first contact with the PRE and became the decisive moment for Sandberg, in which she decided to breed and ride exclusively the iberian horses. She says they have something that makes them different to all the other races. ”From the back of a spanish horse the world looks different, with another dimension. They have given me the character, the movements, the intelligence, the art and the spirit that I have always been looking for”.
She also focus on her other passion, the dressage, what is for her the maximum expression of the perfeccion. Following this she considers that ”there are PRE show champions that could never enter the dressage ring”. This circumstance she considers ”a little chaotic” and she thinks that this problem could be solved by focusing more on functionality, and by having more uniform movement criterias.
”There is no use evaluating horses that are not functional. The PRE has so many qualities in both morfology aswell as in functionality, it is a mistake trying to copy other races, one just has to recognize and focus on the already inherent qualities and strenghten these. It is necessary to come together with criteria because the spanish breeders are experts in morfology/composition, but I think they are not as clear with what is good movement. I am not saying I am the expert, but this is what I have studied objectively”. She also thinks (and who doesn't) that the breeders should collaborate more and be better united in the promotion of the PRE, and that they should get more direct influence in the breeding associations.
”It is not difficult to see the qualities of a PRE in exceptional horses such as ”Totilas” etc. His movements are the epitome of perfeccion and this horse is unique, with him we have the expamle... something very usuful for all of us. We have to use this moment when finally a spanish horse such as ”Fuego XII” is among the best in the world”.
Because of her long periods of travelling Sandberg has not had a specific trainer and she has trained her horses on her own, but she tells us that she has had the luck to be able to study and learn from very good riders.”There are various people that has insipired me, Elisabet Lundholm, that used to be the national team coach of the swedish dressage team, helped me in Sweden and Eduardo Mellado, here in Madrid. Recently I have also had ocassional help from Leslie Reid (olympic canadian rider) and Gyula Dallos (olympic hungarian rider)”.

The studfarm
Viktoria Sandberg founded with Javier Villard (with whom she collaborates in commercializing PRE and PSL horses abroad), the Yeguada VIKINGA PRE. Except for the spanish horses, she has a Lusitano by name ”Start” with whom she now has competed in Spain. Her plans are to compete with him and with ”Donoso VII”, that was 'Absolute Champion' and 'Champion Functionality' last year in her homecounty.
”I get alot of satisfaction out of these two and I feel very fortunate to have such good quality horses”, she says.
In reality the studfarm has three studstallions that are/will be breeding here and in Sweden. Except for ”Donoso VII”, she tells us about Festivo MR, with a height of 174cm and offspring to Qualified Reproductors, and ”Halagador Cen” of the Cárdenas line.
”We also have a filly born this year, by ”Donoso VII”. The mares we just sold to Sweden and Norway”.
The future of ”Donoso VII” will be dressage competitions in Prix St George, and that of ”Start” will be in Grand Prix. For the moment ”Festivo MR” is classified for the PRE final in spanish championships, SICAB in November 2010, for his merits in the championship in Caravaca de la Cruz (Murcia). On the other hand ”Halagador” needs alot of training until he will achieve a good level of dressage, but he has all the capacity to also be a excellent representative of the race in dressage”, she says.

Last year Viktoria Sandberg participated in the spanish championships with ”Donoso VII”, in which she did not have the best of experience.
” I knew that with a horse from a foreign studfarm there was not many possibilities, but I would have very much liked to do the ridden test, because here the horse can really prove his great quality and get good scores. SICAB was a disappointment for me as a breeder, because we bring our horse from Sweden (3000 km) and they did not even look at him! For not being selected in the 'wheel', we were left out and we were not given a protocol of judgement that indicates something of the horse”.

She is right when she thinks a breeder needs to learn from the competitions, ”they should give you an evaluation of your horse in all cases. Many foreigners buy horses from Spain and, if their owners bring their horses to compete here they have to be welcome. They have paid alot for their horse, for bringing them and for the competition... I hope this year we will have proper protocol judgements of the horses”.

On the other hand she says, there is a great interest of the Pura Raza Español in Sweden.
”The weather is not brilliant, it is a handicap when it comes to the breeding, but despite this in no case there is a lack of enthusiasm nor professionalism”.
The mayor hinder is the lack of good functional breeding stallions; there are better mares than stallions, she says. And summarizes with saying something that although subjective we should perhaps contemplate, ”There are not too many horses of high quality but on the other hand they are not always well adviced when they come to buy in Spain”.

Donita VIK is a special lady!

2010-10-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

My dear parents went to see Donita at her summercamp home where she is thriving and giving her 2 boy-friends a hard time. She is a very dominant and proud girl, the youngest and the only filly but she is the boss -yes! - my baby girl has 'skin on her nose', she's a VIKINGA! - so proud, can't help it. She is tall, has the most beautiful eyes, lots of hair, is super elegant and feminine, and she moves light and beautiful. Can't wait to see it for myself. And her colour is still diluted.. Donoso has the amber coloured eyes and so does Donita, her legs were light bay when she was born and are not black but coppertone, aswell as her mane and tail, which means that she is most likely carrying a colourgene!
Thanks to my dearest parents that went all the way to check her out for me, you are simply the best and our warmest thanks to Catherine for taking such good care of our baby!
Donita VIK in Sweden

Donita 3 weeks old
This weekend we also enjoyed a nice barbecue in the stables, thank you Jane & Antonio, we had a good time!
Betty & Javier found new friends

I bow my head to the always shining sun here, we are having a fantastic autumn with beautiful colours!

Start today
Now focus is on Festivo until SICAB because our big baby is going to fly!

Halagador training

2010-10-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday all three boys got a good workout in the sun, 'Hagge' has gone through a big change so I thought it would be nice to take some autumn pictures of him now. His speciality is the extended trot so this is his feel-good excercise! He's got a big suspended trot, lots of volume, goes out and reaches forward, walk is great, big overstep and swings up in back, and canter is round and he steps in well with hindlegs. His level was 0 but Hagge is a good student and now he is doing cross legs, flex sides and shoulder in in walk and trot. He is building up strenght and stamina. What has also changed since last photos is his forelock, as you can see it is no longer below his nose because it got eaten up by his previous neighbour, huuu, I almost got a heartattack.. So that part is less flattering, but it is not important! (lot's of mental training behind this statement..) All in all I am very happy with my black Y.M/Cárdenas, there is so much quality in this horse!
'Hagge'

Days of riding in the sun

2010-10-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

We are lining up wonderful days of sunshine here in the mountains of Madrid, the horses are happy in their new home, they are all thriving and growing.
Before we moved I knew Start was not happy because he was turned off in his coat and eyes. But now I have done his second bodyshave and now he is his sparkling happy self, wanting to exaggerate all movements and he is superfit! Face has changed, he is 'ping' in his eyes again, so now I am happy.
The other day we went to see a clinic here in Madrid, study riders and trainers. We thought this trainer could have been alittle more helpful, this horse needed a good back stretch and lower his neck in all excercises which was pointed out but not really taken care of. But a very handsome spanish horse!

Festivo MR to SICAB

2010-10-18T05:43:00.000-07:00

We have recieved the invitation for SICAB in November, this year we are going with Festivo MR as he qualified from Caravaca, looking forward to seeing you all there!
Listings of qualified horses here;
http://www.ancce.es/panelc/spaw/uploads/files/morfologico/clasificados_por_ejemplar.pdf
Festivo MR

The grass is sometimes greener.. but sometimes it is simply not!

2010-10-13T04:56:00.000-07:00

After an intese period of various things I am back. We have had visitors from Singapore, a family visit, horses has got new homes and we have been dealing with a Donoso-dilemma, so a little bit of everything.
I start with Donoso. As you may know our horses are not for sale, they are extremely carefully chosen with a professional purpose and much loved. One has to separate business and private life, but sometimes this can be tricky thing. So, someone wanted to buy Donoso very, very much and offered a important money for him. And I am very very greatful for this. But, Donoso is a grand horse and growing and I have great belief in him. I have seen his offspring and I am totally impressed by their quality. He is pure beauty, a great personality and showman, a grand dressage horse, a important breeding stallion and all these qualities makes him a super representative for his race, his breeder and for us. I happily help people to sell the horses they want to sell, good business is when there is a 'all win' situation and buyer and seller are both happy, when a number feels good to all parts there is a deal and a horse shift owner. We could have bought quite a few new important horses with the generous offer for Donoso but there simply is no other horse of his quality so I followed my feeling and said thank you, but no thank you.
Donoso VII in Sweden 2009

Visit Donoso's offsping page here;
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Donoso-VII-avkommor/141244685905621

Before all this happened we moved our horses to a small private professional dressage yard. Reluctantly we left Jade that has been our much loved home for 1,5 year, many near and dear, but I felt my horses was in need of what this place could offer.
Donoso VII arriving

Start in new home

We have also had a family visit! My dear mum and extra mum came for a weeks holiday. My mother had brought all my favourite swedish sweets, horse shopping, things I need and can't find here and swedish food. Lovely! Gunilla that is neighbour to my parents in Sweden and a horse crazy just like ourselves brought ingredients for a Kantarell-pie, it is made of a delicious yellow swedish mushroom, m u m s! I was a little spaced out from all things going on but hopefully they got some new positive impressions from spa, riding, Aranjuez, food and shopping. We had some great laughs and it was fun to have them here, love you lots!
Kerstin and Gunilla enjoying our beautiful mountain landscape
Gunilla & Donoso

Wonderful day!

2010-09-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

Was in the warm sun with my boys all day today, I body shaved Start and gave him a sporty haircut, he looked very sparky! He is so intelligent and hansome, there is only one like him and I love him to bits! When I decided to buy him I had not ridden him, only seen him ridden by two clients, I did not want to testride him because I knew that if I did I would want him and at that time I was not able to buy him. Lyckily (for me) he had piro and was not able to be exported to USA, my situation changed and I found the possiblility to buy him. I did not even think about that I had not ridden him, I just knew that the feeling would be awesome, and it is, Start is awesome! And I will let him be seen, you can count on it!
Start today

My favourite picure from the first time I rode Start!

Festivo's photo-diary from Caravaca

2010-09-27T16:05:00.000-07:00

More photos of Festivo MR in Caravaca!
Arrival day thursday evening..

Betty always find friends..

Above; I am so tall I can see over the walls!

Below; Friday morfology, Festivo scored 24 points for movements and so did one other participant so they both had to do a second round, very nervous! But he was outstanding and won the movements!

To the right the other movement-guy.. Very good also, he was Movement Champion last year and is from a local Mucia studfarm.

Warm up that was very short, I was calculating time very carefully and I wanted to save the up-work with extentions for last but my land-men got it wrong so when I thought it was three before me it was my turn! Gulp - not good, had to run for it, can't trust those spanish men, I need a (swedish?) organized groom, anyone up for it for SICAB?!!? Luckily he was ON, and we scored 22 and 26 = 24 for the ridden test! 3rd best! After the morfology Festivo was 6th but with these scores he moved up one and ended up 5th place of 13 horses!

As Festivo won the Best Movements in his section he also got to compete for the Adult Champion Movement title the last day, where he was beaten (beautifully!) by one of the older stallions.

Festivo & Tony

And this is how happy I was to recieve the price! Javier was also very happy!

Yeguada VIKINGA PRE interviewed by Melpi

2010-09-27T04:10:00.000-07:00

Melpi represented by these gentlemen are doing a great job for the PRE race filming every moment of the horses participating in the championships and making the competitions assessible to everyone all over the world. Yeguada VIKINGA PRE and Festivo MR got a great deal of attention, thank you so much for appreciation and for talking to us! See inteview here, översättning svenska nedan;
http://www.melpi.tv/index.aspx?v=35
Viktoria Sandberg & Melpi

Översättning Intervju;

Melpi - Vi har här Viktoria Sandberg, ägare till stuteriet Yeguada VIKINGA PRE, ett stuteri som kommer ifrån Halmstad, Sverige, långt från där vi befinner oss just nu, med utmaningen föra in PREn i dressyr på hög nivå. Stämmer det att det är ett av stuteriets mål och intention?

Viktoria Sandberg- Ja vi är entusiastiska över att få in den här rasen i dressyren, vi vill visa alla att de här hästarna är mycket funktionella och att de kan prestera bra även inom internationell dressyr.

Melpi - Ett prov på detta har ni nu då ni här vunnit ett pris i Bästa Rörelser, grattis till det!

V.S - Tack, tack!

Melpi - Vikinga PRE's idé är att ha avelshingstar tillgängliga för svensk avel och att tävla dem i olika dicipliner och internationellt såväl som i dressyr som morfologior, för att kunna tillföra den svenska PRE aveln riktigt bra och beprövade funktionella avelshingstar,

V.S - Ja det stämmer fint, i Sverige finns nu ett stort intresse för den spanska rasen och vi är mycket entusiastiska över att aveln där ska bli så bra som möjligt, nu har vi tre avelshingstar och vi vill att de ska vara tillgängliga främst för den svenska aveln.

Melpi - Vad bra, framtidsplanerna är att fortsätta tävla här i Spanien?

V.S - Ja vi kommer att tävla både i dressyr och morfologiska championat och vi kommer även att ta Festivo MR till SICAB!

Melpi - Vi önskar er mycket framgång i detta äventyr, vi som PRE entusiaster tycker det är väldigt roligt att det finns PRE älskare i ett land så långt bort från vårt eget som Sverige!

V.S - Ja det finns många!

Melpi - Det tycker vi är väldigt roligt att höra, vi önskar ert stuteri allt det stort lycka till på vägen till att få era mål uppnådda och VIKINGA PRE's hästar blir berömda för sin funktionalitet och dressyr,

V.S - Det får vi hoppas!

Melpi - Och så grattis till ert pris ni tagit hem här i Caravaca och tack för att Melpi-TV fick tala mer er,
Med Melpi har Sverige kunna följa vad som har hänt här,

V.S - Ja och det är de jätteglada över att få möjlighet till, jag tycker att det är mycket viktigt för alla att rasen kommer ut internationellt och roligt att människor kan se de tävlande över hela världen, ni gör ett riktigt bra jobb, tack för det!

Melpi - Det är roligt för oss att hjälpa med det vi kan och stödja det viktiga stuteri arbete som ni gör, stuteriet med en krona på V:et, ett brännmärke vi hoppas blir känt inom kort, ett stort lycka till och tack,

V.S - Tack till dig!

Festivo MR won Best Movements!!

2010-09-26T16:55:00.000-07:00

Title; BEST MOVEMENTS - MEJOR MOVIMIENTOS!!!!
- 3rd in the ridden test, scored 24 points!
- 5th totally in his section of 13 horses!
- Qualified to Spanish Championships, SICAB 2010!

We are so proud!
We drove home with a smile all the 7 hours to Madrid from Caravaca de la Cruz where excellent horses and top PRE studfarms gathered together this weekend to compete and in a important spanish PRE championship.
This was a competition graded A (there are A, B C, SICAB is also A) depending on the amount and level of participants more or less get qualifications to enter the spanish championships in Sevilla in November. We choose to participate with Festivo MR in this competiton to see how well he would do in relation to excellent horses and to get him qualified to SICAB. We are especially pleased that he scored so well for his movements in both in morfology and functionality. It is not easy for a foreign Yeguada to achieve a title for Best Movements competing against the locals and famous hotshots!

Here is our big baby; FESTIVO MR

Videos;
Showing by hand/Morfologia Friday;
http://www.melpi.tv/index.aspx?p=160843

Ridden test/Functionalidad Saturday;http://www.melpi.tv/index.aspx?p=160843&t=F

As he won the movements in his section he also got to compete for the movement championtitle adults on the Sunday;
http://www.melpi.tv/index.aspx?v=28

Here is a link to the list of results;
http://www.gescabonline.com/directopre/index.aspx?Id_Concurso=1440

Festivo MR competing tomorrow!

2010-09-23T14:46:00.001-07:00

Yes it is Festivo's turn now, we are in Murcia, Spain for attending a important PRE championship! Cross fingers, there are many excellent horses from the best studfarms from all over Spain, you can follow us on Yeguada VIKINGA PRE's Facebook page and on Melpis Live-web tv!

Swedish PRE championships

2010-09-18T03:56:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the Swedish PRE Championships in Stockholm, this year we are not attending as we are competing in Spain but we wish our swedish PRE friends the best luck and a fun weekend, enjoy! Here pictures from Swedish PRE championships last year when our Donoso won the championships and was rewarded two championtitles!

Donoso VII

Campeón de la Raza & Campeón Funcionalidad 2009

See Donoso's video here

Can a PRE jump?

2010-09-12T16:01:00.000-07:00

Well of course they can! Why should not a perfectly balanced, flexible, agile and intelligent horse that is bred for high school movements like capriole, levadas etc not be able to jump? This race has not been used for showjumping for the simple reason the spanish riding culture is based on dressage, Alta Escuela (high school) and bullfighting, i.e old traditional riding culture. Now showjumping is quite popular in Spain and in our stables the majority are showjumping competition riders.
The day Halagador went sailing over the fence I decided to jump him, he choose his theme. So today was the first time, he was a little hesistant to begin with but no stopping no, no, we are bullfighting generation and we are not scared, just careful. Third time he went for it, flexible and agile like a cat, he can definitely jump! I just love the expression on his face, a mixure of surprise and happiness. Me on the other hand is a little off, looking down etc, grr, but it has been...17 years ??? (what - am I that old?) since I was doing this regularly!
Very inspired I did same thing with Donoso, of course he did it even better (he would never let anyone be better than him) but he has had a little more cavelletti and pole training and I have jumped him at least once before which is enough for he is a clever and very ambitious horse.
I am very lucky to have Javier taking great pictures so I can tell my little stories. He does other 'invisible ' things too, like help me taking care of the horses those crappy days my body does not want to play. I have Fibromyalgia or FM/ FMS which basically is constant pain in muscles, joints and which sometimes leads to total fatigue. Now I am getting great help from spanish doctors and medicine and when I find the right medicine I will be perfect! So thank you Javier!
Javier makes his job as a photographer a sport so he is not the one shooting pictures like a machine-gun - no, he looks for the right one and took one of each jump, here they are all presentated in order!

Halagador's first, heja Hagge!

And Donoso!

Hepp!

Play-day in the sun

2010-09-10T16:43:00.000-07:00

Summer came back and I deciced to have a fun day with Donoso and Halagador. D was spectacular as usual and I think I got some of it on a video, will post it when I figured out this way to complicated video... uff... why can't them make them more advanced and EASIER to use!?? Hagge got a SMALL paddock this time, with higher fence to stop him from jumping it, but he did measure the height several times, very naughty. I am so going to jump this guy he is definitely asking for it! These are my handsome boys today, not brilliant pictures but I had to play and take photos at the same time (that's my excuse anyway).
Donoso VII & Halagador Cen

Donoso VII painting by Frédérique Lavergne

2010-09-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

We got this painting today, I think it is wonderful, excellent as a portrait but I also like very much the effect. Well done and thank you so much Frédérique, we loved it!
'Donoso VII'

By Frédérique Lavergne

Painting oil on linen
Copyright http://www.frederiquelavergne.com/

Photo; Javier Villard

Festivo to handler

2010-08-31T16:54:00.000-07:00

Today we brought Festivo to a professional handler that will train him in the art of showing! He is going to do some championships this autumn and now is a good time for him to concentrate on his work by hand also. He is fit and up for it, his physique is even more impressive and he is no doubt a important PRE stallion. It is always a little awkward to leave your horse to someone else, he is our 'big baby', but he is in very good and professional hands so all is perfect. It will be exciting to see how he develops with this work!
So I am left with three, one less is not a bad thing, also giving me more time to focus on these guys that are also going to show and shine this autumn.
Unfortunately we have no photos of Festivo from today, it is very hot during the day and we decided to take him in the evening. But here is one from when he first came to us just so you won'f forget him, the great Festivo alias Divo!
Festivo MR

Update on Festivo

2010-08-23T03:52:00.000-07:00

Here some photos from yesterday's training, he does his halfpass very well now!
Festivo MR

Photos; Paola Villard

It's a jumper!

2010-08-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

This is from today, Hagges turn to 'hang out' - I thought - but not much 'hanging' here, after 100 bouncy stretchjumps he measured, stepped in and sailed elegantly over the fence like the black panther Bagheera in the Djunglebook! Wow I had time to think, that was so beautiful... But then it is a funny feeling to see your horse disappear without a headcollar... Went to leave camera and then I found Hector with a grip of his mane behind stables, he looked so surprised, very funny. Put headcollar on and that was end of today's session.
Ok Hagge, you want to jump, then let's jump....

Halagador in action

Greetings from Switzerland!

2010-08-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

This is Halagador's brother Ingrato now living in Switzerland. We know this horse very well so it was very good to hear from his new owner, now when he got his home and person he is a very happy horse!

Here a video we made of him last year.

A good day

2010-08-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

So we have a horse to vet for Gyula Dallos, one sold to Germany and we have now updated the website with some new horses for sale.
First I had to hammer on a shoe that Halagador had stepped off in the walker yesterday, here a photo of his pretty feet!
Halagador

I rode 'Hagge', he has improved alot, he could hardly canter at all when he arrived, has not been much ridden much so his level is more or less like a 4 year old. A little shoulder here and there but now he is getting it together. I groans a when he has to flex his body but he gets on with it, good boy. So now he is building up his condition and physique, has no muscles at all so the poor guy has to sweat alot, but he seems happy to get body worked through. He is very very supple, suspended and soft to ride, it is like riding a cloud, you can't hear him move!
Start got to hang out in paddock, very happy as today was also carrot day :-)
Start in his paddock

Donoso did a work out with changes and a little gym excercises from Gyula, very good. He has to do some dressage competitions this autumn, toghether with Start. And then Festivo got a Pessoa warm-up and then some normal workout, he can go on and on and on, he loves his job!
So that's pretty much all afternoon and evening and I am content because all my horses are doing very well, are sound and in good shape and MY body did very well also!
This weekend is a PRE championship and we will go tomorrow to check it out.

Riding with a smile!

2010-08-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

Today I did three of the four darlings and I feel very happy! For many reasons. Start did wonderful passage, piaffe transitions and this confirms he is a 100%! Donoso did cavalettis and piaffe, he is incredible now, he is the king.
I have had extreme muscular and joint pains for a long time now, the doctors have drained my body like vampires from all the bloodtests trying to find the cause and so far the prescribed medicine only made me worse. Finally they seem to have found a medication that actually works. Still no 100% diagnose but it is getting there. So today when I was able to train 3 horses with (almost) the energy like I used to have it is pure happiness! If sunlight would not have failed I would have done nr 4 aswell, but he will get his turn tomorrow. So it can seem alittle odd to buy another horse with this physical condition. No, I say, definitely not. My horses are my life and direction and they make me fight to be well. I think it is very important to have a passion in your life, it gives you a direction. Riding my horses is what sustains me. They all transmit a certain feeling and Halagador is the 'soft & flyffy' one. He is pure kindness to my body, he has a etheric element to him, abit unreal like a fairytale or a dream.
Halagador being ridden first time at home

Donoso & Halagador saying hello, they are both proud and does not say anything. Donoso just looked away and left Halagador there standing loose in front of him. Quiet authority.

Start is well

2010-08-04T16:30:00.000-07:00

Today I have spent all day with my boys, rarely is there time to be morning and evening so today felt like holiday as I could do it all s l o w l y. I much prefer being under the sun riding than on the beach which seems to be every spaniards destiny in the month of August. So I took care of Start's wounds that were much better today after yesterdays healing sessions, relief. I can't stand when my horses has something, it really makes me uneasy even though it is only something small and insignificant. My poor parents over the youth-years, what patience..As a result I always brought my horses with me, when studying at University in Sweden I had my horse next door my flat on campus. Last year my non-horse neighbours in Sweden got to see me totally freak when Donoso got his mane full with white oilpaint from not enough dried fence, disaster. They were so sweet and supportive, bless. But, with bad comes good and I learnt alot about how to heal my horses. Helpful teachers has been 1. My mother Kerstin Sandberg 2. Mothers friend Lena Örnberg 3. My uncle Per Spångfors and aunt Kerstin Spångfors, veterinarians 5. Courses in equine studies, physiology and then reading books, many many books. Many thanks to above people.
Here our three beautiful PRE stallions in a row, happy guys!
Festivo MR - Donoso VII - Halagador Cen

Donoso is so soft, powerful and up for it is a total dream to ride him. Now when he is through in his body he is advancing very fast teqnically. It is all easy for him.

Here a picture of Donoso's brand, it is so subtle so you can only see it when he sunbathes and hairs stand out.
Then I lounged Start on the pessoa, he was like a colt, very happy! Then Halagador, he is l o v e l y to ride, so soft, suspended and intelligent. He knows the forms from having done them the day before. I might have some photos of this tomorrow.

Donoso's daughter Raza

2010-08-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

Här en hälsning från Zorro PRE i Umeå, Donoso's dotter är här 9 veckor, inget tvivel om vem som är far, hon är HELT underbar! Nästa år får detta stoföl ett helsyskon och vi kommer följa dessa avkommor med spänning.. Vad roligt det är med avel!
Raza

Today I learnt the heat can be very dangerous. It has been very hot so I gave them all a refreshing shower and then to dry in the sun for 15 min. When I was brushing off Start he suddenly sways and fell to the floor!? Has never seen a horse faint before so I though he died. I screamed his name and he was awake instantly and got up on his feet. Only some superficial scratch wounds but it was still horrible for the horse-mum, I am still recovering. I am so pleased nothing worse happened. My poor horse got a sunstroke, I love him to bits. The vet checked on him but all was well thank you very much.
These are the boys just before he fainted, the beauty collection!
From the left; Donoso - Start - Halagador - Festivo

We proudly present; Halagador Cen!

2010-07-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

This fantastic horse is now Yeguada VIKINGA PRE's new stud stallion! Fate has surprisingly arranged for us to have this horse = happiness! :-)
We are totally into everything about Halagador, his quality is super, he is the 'Donoso-type'. His movements are expressive, soft suspended and elastic. He is a total beauty, loves to show off and is a gentleman with people and other horses. He is very comfortable and easy to ride even though his level of education is very low so we will little by little get him into shape.
Story; Halagador already had his stable-name 'Hagge' as we have known and loved this horse for a long time now. We first saw him in 2007 and he has ever since been the ultimate black PRE stallion. Halagador was competing in important PRE championships 2006 and he qualified to the spanish championships, SICAB same year. After that he has been used as a stud and has several wonderful offspring.
His bloodlines are simply the best of Cárdenas/ Yeguada Militar. Halagador is a half brother to our beloved mare Intimidad Cen that we recently sold reluctantly. Now we can continue breeding our favourite bloodline through this stallion instead and this means alot to us! We have followed the offspring to Halagador's dad Delegado Mac over the years and we are very impressed by them, we can now spot the 'Delegado's in the herd on a miles distance, they all stand out, have class, beauty and a special expression. His sire Delegado Mac is the only Cárdenas stallion that defied his ancestors dominant grey genes and came out black without no white markings, he has 352 offsprings! Halagador is his best black stallion. He is a unique PRE stallion and as far as beauty and class dressed in black it doesn't get much better than this!
Curriculum;
- PRE championships 2006 where qualified to Spanish Championships, SICAB
- SICAB 2006 section 6 for 3 year olds, top scores
- 9 offspring, black, bay and grey
- 37 of his brothers & sisters are competing sucessfully in Spain and abroad
This is a very wanted and welcomed horse, thank You Richi!
Halagador Cen Jade today

Halagador Cen July 2007

Our friends at Centurion, Javier & Betty

New mares confirmed in foal with Donoso!!

2010-07-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

These beautiful mares will have Donoso babies next year!

Carmencita - Champion mare 2006 and 2007 and winner of best movements all horses 2007

Bellezia

Festivo MR genetyped for chestnut!

2010-07-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

Festivo is now genetyped EeAACC which confirms he is the carrier of the chestnut genes and will therefore bring down chestnut colour to his offspring!! (see below).
The mares with the following genetic formulas will very likely have chestnut offsprings if crossed with Festivo MR;
Bay heterozygote mare (EeAA) or (EeAa)
Black heterozygote mare (Eeaa)
Chestnut heterozygote mare (eeAA) (eeAa) (eeaa)
Grey heterozygote mare (Gg) (gG) (gg)
He can exclusively bring down bay, grey and chestnut to his offspring, if crossed with a mare of basic colour i.e black, chestnut, bay or grey mare. If crossed with a mare with C or D colourgenes all the diluted creme colours (palomino, perlino, buckskin etc) are possible. So far Festivo MR has 7 registered offspring, bay, grey and chestnut, the mother to this chestnut filly is grey. He will have several offspring 2011.

Short info on chestnut colour in the PRE race;The chestnut colour was present among the first spanish horses in the book 'Libro registro caballos españoles' (Spanish Horse stud Book) that was initiated in the 16th century. The colour was rejected in the beginning because of the general belief that a chestnut horse had a fiery temperament. This theory was deducted until the 17th century when science discarded the theory of correlation between colour and temperament. As the PRE horses were bred for the king it was considered dangerous to provide a horse of this colour, which naturally reduced the breeding of the chestnut PRE. This colour has later gone through phases of popularity and there are horses which bred exclusively for the colour. As a result there is a limited amount of chestnut PRE's that maintain also the excellent race standards in conformation and movement. The PRE chestnut is therefore in need of quality breeding horses with very high race standards. A stallion like Festivo MR is able to attain not only the exclusive colour but most importantly the quality of conformation, temperament, movement and class to the offspring.

Different shades of chestnut;
The deer like (alazán cervuno), white legs and limbs (deslavado), golden (dorado), with white hairs interspersed (entrepelado), the browish-grey (garbanzo), vinous (guinda or vinoso), light golden (limón), liver chestnut (oscuro), light (pálido), dirty brown (piel de vaca) and cocolate chestnut (tostado).
Festivo MR, see his page here

TRC grading

2010-07-17T03:51:00.000-07:00

These are from the TRC grading last week, we went to see friends and to study the horses. For you that are not familiar with this event, the PRE stallions that are basic approved for breeding (APTO) can pass a second grading to prove their superior qualities. This test is called TRC and the horses passed this test will be 'Calificado' graded. Only 8 stallions were presented and quite a few mares. Very few breeders were represented. Only one mare was shown ridden in the functionality (ridden) test.
Saw some excellent mares. Only two of the 8 stallions were approved, passed the exam and can call themselves 'Reproductor Calificado'.

Here my spotaineous reflections I want to share to you, feel free to bounce back;
1. The test starts with composition examination, morfology. Functionality is the key to the development of a modern horse race, should we not start with the ridden test and then evaluate composition, morfology last. We can then see which horses are proven functional and pass exclusively the ones with the perfected composition.
2. How do we justify a high qualification grading for a important PRE breeding stallion by only having to perform a basic ridden test of circles?
3. It is still not obligatory to present the mares ridden, they can pass only from test 1. The functionality of the mare is equally important for the qualifying breeding status.
4. The costs, the grading actually sums up to some thousands of Euros and makes the TRC less accessible to all professional breeders.

Test 1 - Morfology - Examination of compostition and movements by hand

Test 2 - Functionality - Mare doing the the ridden test.

Aniara + Donoso = true

2010-07-10T13:02:00.000-07:00

38 degrees and you can almost hear the heat...Trained Start in arena and took Donoso for a ride in the countryside with my mother braving the mirage. Here with some mares and their foals grazing, well, not much to graze these days but they were happy with the view!
Aniara, our black dressage SWB e. Bellini was finally ready today, she has not been in season for 1year so possibility for her pregnancy was very small so we are celebrating this today!
Donoso with spanish mares in the spanish wilderness :-)

Video Festivo MR - Part 2 training

2010-07-09T01:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCT6bEElHfs

Olé olé España!

2010-07-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

Yes! Final on sunday, even a non-football fan like me and my mum will enjoy that!
Today I had to go to hospital as I got a acute viral infection from the sudden change of weather, at 5 pm I swollowed some medicine that felt like it was frying my mouth but at 6 pm we are here so that seem to work!
Donoso & I

Start & Kerstin

Video Festivo MR in training - Part 1 warm up

2010-07-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MuMhpdvfJQ

Video Festivo MR

2010-07-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

Yeguada VIKINGA PRE presents first video of Festivo MR!

Pessoa-training on lounge-line from last friday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AcsNm2kiok
More information of Festivo MR on his page here

Festivo's turn!

2010-07-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

A young stallion like Festivo that has been using his hormones is unconciensously begging you to be his fair and consequent leader so we started with the leadership excercises in round pen today. He is a big baby, loves you instantly like a pupil likes his teacher that has good authority. I have been riding him with normal 3 part snaffle but he does not like it, I think he feels it is too small, like a thread in his mouth, so I tried a normal pelham today and he was very happy with this. Thanks he said, a little more to hold on to, he is a big guy and naturally he has a big mouth too... We did a good long work-out, a little shoulder in, half pass, counter canter and extended trot. Good boy! He doesn't know any of it but he is a very flexible and very willing guy. His canter is extremely balanced and both trot and canter are soft and suspended, mmm.. comfy! My achy body likes it until I have to step (jump rather) down and start walking around, uff, I think I have to stay up on the horses..
I forgot to say yesterday that the two new black sisters to Inma left together with a bay mare for Sweden yesterday, they are in Germany now a little tired they reported so they are resting them as much as necessary, very professional, thank you Freddy & Friederike! See Sportpferde Transport van-Hamond http://www.van-hamond.com/
I hope you will like these! Festivo MR

See Festivo's page here!

News!

2010-07-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

Donoso breeding update
Today I got the happy news that two mares have confirmed their pregnancy with Donoso;
'Här kommer glada nyheter från Örebro!
Greta blev inseminerad 10/6 och Burlona 15/6 och båda är konstaterade dräktiga!
Jag var till Markebäck och kollade Burlona idag, vilken lycka!!
Vetr. Lotten Bäckgren ville att jag hälsade till dig att Donoso har extremt bra sperma-kvalité med mycket rörelse!'
Gossip news! We have a new secret client, a famous international dressage competition rider that wants a Iberian dressage star, to be continued...
This is Festivo MR from today's work-out. I had to take off Starts shoe as he stepped on it yesterday and Donut got a work out with the Pessoa, he swings up back, stretches head down and is in perfect balance in both sides, lovely.
Festivo MR

Holiday-mode

2010-06-30T15:23:00.000-07:00

As we horse-people do not have holidays like 'normal' people one has to arrange a medium-holiday-existance, it is after all summer and it has to be lived. Being a ex-teacher I have an inbuilt summer-holiday-mode that I can swich-on, out comes books and a little creativity if I tune in that mode. I love philosophy, soul-food books bursting with wisdom from those who have spent many more hours than me cultivating their minds. There was a (10 years or so) period in my life when I did serious Buddhist meditation retreats for 10 days in India, England and Sweden, meditating from 4 am to 10 pm in the evening. I remember arriving to one camp in England talking to the taxi driver and I started to feel very anxious as it I knew that I had many hours of hard work in front of me. He looked at me and said - Well, I think the only thing you need is to sit down with your friends and have a cup of coffee... So simple and so spot on, it was exactly what I longed to do as I had just arrived from working 1 year in Centralamerica and I had not seen my friends for a long time, this was a person that could see the person in front of him, lovely.
So yesterday I spent the day with one of my best friends, we went to the spa (were we lodge our clients normally) and whilst the bubbles took care of us we chatted away, it is good to take care of oneself, you have to serve yourself to be able to serve others.
Today I read these lines that spoke to me;
The secret of sucess is constancy of purpose'
- Benjamin Disraeli -
and
'You will never be able to hit a target that you cannot see'
- Anonymous -
From one thing to the other, Donoso have had many mares this year, very exciting!
Info for mare owners;
Flyinge tar nu inte emot nya ston men det går fortfarande bra att beställa semin till andra stationer i landet!
This is Donut and I in the authentic spanish countryside today, great fun, it is luxury to ride a perfectly balanced horse that floats over the rocks - viva los caballos españoles! These are baby-bulls. As you can see he has a piece of his right ear missing, someone took a bite in his early years.

Pictures from a full day in Jade

2010-06-27T04:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a full day in Jade, in the morning I rode Donoso, whilst Start and Festivo two had relax in paddock and sunbathing. In the afternoon I worked Start did with the Pessoa and some friends came to see Festivo.

Here we are all of us - enjoy!

Warm up short and effective as it is very hot

Working Donut's flying changes

Start in the morning

Tempis!

Stretching

Start on the Pessoa

Festivo MR

Donoso VII

Festivo MR

Start

Midsommar!

2010-06-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

Ja, hur gör man midsommar i Spanien - jo, på IKEA så klart! Blev äkta svensk köttbulls-lunch innan shopping monstret släpptes lös. Stod välkomnande MIDSOMMAR med stora bokstäver över hela väggen och det kändes så klart bra. Det blev möbler till sovrum, gästrum, mattor, en helt underbart bekväm vit chefs-kontor-fotölj och en massa hemtrevliga fixi-fixi saker som bara IKEA kan komma på. Och så MAT GODIS och massor med GODIS. Jag skulle så klart tagit ett foto men nu var det 37 grader och man blir lätt lightheaded i dessa temperaturer så det glömdes bort och vi kastade oss in i bilen för aircondition fullt ös. Nu sitter jag här med ett nytt fint hem, fotboll då är obligatorisk och tyvärr helt oundviklig, och tittar på ett helt spektakulärt åsk-nummer över våra väldiga berg och vyer. Åska är underbart, hög mysfaktor, som jul. Och nu blir det svensk middag med lax, sill, nypotatis, tunnbröd och flädersaft, och sen Marabou Mint-choko - ljuvligt!
Önskar alla en trevlig midsommar helg!

The eye

2010-06-21T16:02:00.000-07:00

The eye of the PRE should be clear, dark, big, happy, steady, forward looking and with long thick eyelashes and they should have a triangular/ almond-shape (see below). The eye should not be too close to the base of the ears as it makes the forehead look too large.
Sometimes you can see what seems to be hard wart over both eyes of the foal (see below), these are not warts but in fact horn-embryos. Some say the original pure spanish horse had horns and that this is a sign of purity.
"The unicorn is the only fabulous beast that does not seem to have been conceived out of human fears. In even the earliest references he is fierce yet good, selfless yet solitary, but always mysteriously beautiful. He could be captured only by unfair means, and his single horn was said to neutralize poison."

Every animal has their objective qualities, to me a horse represents goodness, a uncorruptive mind, beauty, natural simplicity, to be present and freedom of spirit.

It happens in summertime!

2010-06-21T12:19:00.000-07:00

We have sold our classy mare 'Inma' to a wonderful lady in Sweden, but Donita is mine, mine, mine!

Intimidad Cen
Baby Donita will go on summer holiday camp with two boys and their black mums that we will send to their new home next week. I will have to tell her to be good to them, she has alot of 'skin on her nose', she's a vikinga!
Then we have another beautiful bay mum and son that will be moving with her son to the south of Sweden.

Important!
Uppfödare i Sverige - Donoso har i år betäckt PRE ston samt Svenska Halvblod, Juli är nu sista månaden som du kan betäcka med honom, kontakta mig omgående på info@horsespre.com om Du vill boka Ditt sto!

This weekend we went to meet and greet people at local PRE championship, it was hot and windy at the same time, lots of beautiful horses and Donut should have been there, but sometimes you have to realize your energy limits and just go with the flow, relax and have fun, so that what we did. More photos will be coming up on some classy PRE horses.

Today we did a vetcheck on a very exclusive black dressage PRE stallion and he passed perfectly, his destination will be Australia! I will announce it on the Horsespre blog and you will be able to see new photos of him on our homepage.

Queen Vikinga

2010-06-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

This is a summergreeting from Yeguada VIKINGA PRE's foundation horse Reina Vikinga. Reina is now living in Norway and is slowly growing into her name.

Reina Vikinga, born 2008

Start Int. I in Madrid

2010-06-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

Some more photos from the show in Jade yesterday.

Start second place in Intermediate I!

2010-06-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

I am so proud of my dear wonderful intelligent horse. This last week we have had two clients and we have done many kilometres again. It seems I have a condition of some kind of arthritis and I am in constant pain which makes me very tired. After trying some hideous medicine that did me in totally, it was impossible to ride, that was last week. But the competition this weekend was in the back of my head becuase I so much wanted to do a PSG. The day before yesterday I was told me there was no PSG, only Intermediate I. So that was that, I had definitely not prepared a Intermediate. Same evening I found a video of lovely swedish rider doing a Intermediate I, I wached it and thought - We can do that!
However the day after, yesterday, my body was knocked out totally and I was all day on the couch. No explanation. Javier helped me with everything and again I thought, I am not supposed to do that competition, I would be pushing myself to hard. We went to stables to say hello thinking we were going out in the evening, Alfredo the owner of Jade and director of competition saw me and asked if I was going to participate and I said I could hardly move. He said - after all that fuss and hassle with those horses of yours, you are competiting tomorrow! I felt this 'ping' inside and some deep urge to ride so I went home to change, went back and did the Intermediate I twice and Start was there up for it..
So today we did it and I enjoyed so much! I was not able to warm him up alot, only a little trot and canter as I had not so much strenght and it needed to be saved. He did not make one miss. Not one. All the changes, tempi twos and threes were perfect, my dear dear horse. I am so lucky.
Here we are.

Cold and rain all day..

Porche was sponsors and prices were generous, no car but that's ok. Thank you!
My lovely horse.

Donoso-fan

2010-06-05T14:34:00.000-07:00

Pia & Donoso

This is from today, 34 degrees hot and we did NOT have to warm up! Straight into changes, half passes, extended trot and that's it - done. Pia rode him indoors, she was moved and it was very beautiful. Donut listens in to her, helps her to be comfortable then after some rounds he goes 'and now is the time to give me long reins, it is real hot in here', and walks over to his 'mum'.

And then this is Donut's & Harmonias dark-chocolate-baby bred by Zorro PRE in Umeå! From the three babies we have seen the racial traits from Donoso are very much brought down in his foals. They all have his pretty head and beautiful conformation, his colour and also the personality and expression seem to be like his own. In spanish you say that a stallion 'razea' when his own traits are strongly brought down, so we thought 'Doña Raza' (Mrs Race) would be a good name for this lovely lady?

Donoso on top!

2010-06-01T15:35:00.000-07:00

In the morning we went to a studfarm to view some horses for our books, hot hot, puh. Then we got the delighting news that a friend from a swedish PRE studfarm is coming tomorrow! This breeder already has one foal by Donoso and will cover with him again this year and now she wants more lady-mums to expand her studfarm. So lady-looking on thursday and Donut and Divo on friday. Donoso got three new bookings today!
When we bought D he was quite a handful to ride for me, he was very strong as he had been 'plugged in' by a strong male rider that had sure done a good job teqnically, but he was totally insensitive in the mouth and used his big neck to defend himself towards pressure. With spaghetti arms we had no choice but go - let's get sensitive.. And NOW I have a gentle soft contact in ALL the movements and through ALL the figures, now I feel the horse as he is, all defense is gone and PURE ENJOYMENT is left! He is all day begging for it, I hope he transmits this glorious ridability feeling and the attitude to his offspring and will be the happy-riders-brand!
Studbook
Femento Yeguada Militar Calificado stud, Donoso's grandsire

Pedigree Festivo MR

2010-05-30T15:33:00.000-07:00

The bloodline of Festivo MR is Yeguada Militar through Lebrijano III. Lebrijano's father was the legendary Agente and Agente’s father is Maluso, both are regarded and respected as two of the principal stud stallions for the evolution of the PRE race. This line of stallions are known for passing down the prototypical characteristics of the PRE and the suspended movement with strong impulsion and great extention, to the offsping. These stallions laid the foundation for success in dressage.
Lebrijano III has 124 offspring, for example;
- Rondeño IX - spanish champion 2005, 190 offsprings, sold to Nicaragua 2010
- Utrerano VII - olympic offspring Fuego XII and also impressive Nazareno LXVIII
- Panadero VIII - Sire of 2x olympic Invasor, spanish champion twice
- Macanuo - Escalera stud stallion, champion of Spain 1989
Festivo MR

Here link to where you can see registered offspring etc; Studbook

Start, Festivo & Donoso

2010-05-28T15:57:00.000-07:00

Javier and Paola did the riding of Festivo today and I did Start, Donoso had a bad hairday - allergic reaction because of new hay from yesterday so he had to rest his skin, poor thing! 'Divo' has so much of Donoso in his geastures, he such a kind very very lovable horse, we love him already! Donoso is on the other hand not so impressed, another one to share attention with, not interesting. D & D were side by side in the stable and Donoso pointed Divo firmly to the side with his bum, that's were he wanted him, in the corner. Donut has such a big personality, he is quietly dominant, does alot of kicking with his forelegs (his daughter Donita does this too) and murmuring to communicate with the people what he wants, or does not want, so another horse is no big deal to boss around. And Start can't be bothered with all that stuff, he is totally happy with knowing the location of the friday-carrot-box and being loved when it is his turn.
Festivo MR & Start

174 cm = 17.1 hands

2010-05-27T15:58:00.000-07:00

Not that we are obsessed with height but today we had to go and buy a measure-stick as we could not agree about Festivo's height. He has alot of volume which made people guess he was taller, but 174 cm is certainly tall enough!

Festivo reminds me alot but alot of Donoso, in type, character and when I ride him so I can't help comparing them. Both are soft and suspended, very willing and so extremely comfortable!
Donoso is more selfconfident and a king, he is always quiet and never loud, he is not as big but he has a big attitude and personality that he shows outwards in competitions and training, he puffs up his chest, stretches his neck proudly and says yes you can admire me now. Behind all that he is a softy that loves his mum and prefers to be next to her all the time (not allowed to say that though..)
Festivo can be loud, he is soft and a sweety, he is only 5 1/2 years old so even though he is so big he is very little! He is very willing, has no muscles as they have not ridden him this year hardly at all, he has only been breeding so it is all wobbly but wow what a natural suspension and balance in those big gaits! Can't wait to work all that movement out of his body!
Below Javier, the owner, the vet & rider and grooms, one of the grooms was so sad he had to turn around not to show he was crying, he had taken care of him since he was a foal, he has been in sensitive hands.

Presenting our new stud stallion; Festivo MR!

2010-05-27T04:19:00.000-07:00

We are so excited, we bought this guy yesterday!
Presentation;
Festivo MR is light bay (castaño encendido) PRE stud stallion, he has a impressive physique and size! His bloodline is the same of Donoso VII, Yeguada Militar and Escalera. His sire ACADEMICO VII is a Calificado TRC stallion, aswell as his grandsire LEGO that is a Lebrijano III offspring, Lego is still retained by the Y.M for their breeding program.
Festivo's bloodline ïs coming down from the legendary LEBRIJANO III on both dam and sire's side. Festivos mother is a Soto Gil mare (breeder of Donoso VII), she is a Lebrijano III grandchild and Paco Lazo. In third line we also find the famous dressage Escalera stallion VINATERO III. I will make a presentantion Festivo's main bloodline Lebrijano III, as this stallion is a true legend and one of the most important stallions in PRE breeding history!
Festivo MR has had one chestnut offspring with a grey mare so we will have him tested for the colourgene, he has been breeding actively until now and we will find out how many offspring he will have next year.
Curriculum;
- 6 offspring from 2009, bay, grey and chestnut
- Two PRE championships 2009 & 2007, one title; BEST MOVEMENTS
- International dressage competitions in Montenmedio for all races 1999, international test for 5 year olds, 64%.
Bienvenido Festivo!
Festivo MR

Nr 2; Doña Parvaneh

2010-05-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

This is Donoso's second PRE offspring, a very pretty little girl, so feminine and so totally adorable and again a copy of her dad! Congratulations to Yeguada Windy Hill!
Doña Parvaneh (butterfly) bay filly
u. Palas (PRE)
e. Donoso VII

Donoso baby!

2010-05-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

This elegant tall filly arrived yesterday, she is another mini-Donoso, congratulations to Zorro PRE, she is absolutely beautiful!
Filly, colour?
u. Harmonia Cen (PRE)
e. Donoso VII

Pay attention

2010-05-23T08:46:00.000-07:00

Last week I got kicked in the face - sound worse that it is but I have not been beautiful that's for sure, look like I am into boxing rather than riding.. Start was kicking at a fly and my cheek was in the way, a little uncomfortable I have to say but only a bruise no broken cheek. Very clumspy Start but ok, I was tired and did not pay attention, important to pay attention-lesson nr 2 done. The important to pay attention-lesson nr 1 was a scary one. I got run over by a horse, I stood in front of him and he ran straight over me face up. I felt his hooves touching the left side of my cheek and then I don't remember anything until I woke up face down. I got a feeling of - Ok, I got another chance - which was a good feeling. Just a scratch was the result of that one too, someone is watching over me, thanks.
Today we tried our new 'pista' that had new flooring to prepare for coming heat and the problem of loosing humidity and getting loose, deep and slippery. We loved it! Donoso's changes are now flowing, he is loose and lovely and Start has lost his overweight and is tuned up. We are heading for the competitions in June and it is very exciting. Donoso will do a PRE championship and Start a Prix St George.
From our local market in Navacerrada

Ávila...

2010-05-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

..is a pretty city with a Robin Hood wall around it, Gredos mountains in the horizon and vast plains. Today we went studying this area as we have been offered to bring ourselves, our animals and business to this spot on earth. I came to the conclusion that Ávila is a beautiful city, medieval style, lots of people on the streets, modern but nicely maintained so that tourists can like it too. It is a city that is alive. No palmtrees, Javier said he would talk to the auyntamiento (town council) about that (ha, ha), so now you know who is most enthusiastic about this idea. The stables are beautiful, old rustic style with big and many boxes and the horses would have a female groom. Stables has all the charm needed, ticked off the list. So next step is to see houses for ourselves. The think is I am so happy where I am, is it not ironic that opporunities presents themselves in a way that in a way complicates your life? I love my house and my horses's house, but this is such a beautiful project that you have to really get your life in perspective and feel what it is you want and how you want to develop. So what is best, be happy with what you have or be happy with what you would get? I will think about that. Tomorrow is client day.

Reina Vikinga

2010-05-20T00:39:00.000-07:00

This is Reina Vikinga, totally living up to her name. RV loved people from the beginning, she was always begging you to do things with her and she got the perfect person in Sölvi. Reina would never have been satisfied with 'only' being a breeding mare, this is also the reason why we sold her as we would not have the time to work with her. She says she is learing so fast Sölvi is running out of ideas of what to do with her! I think this is a wonderful video that represents her so well, thank you Sölvi for being taking so good care of her, she it totally happy! (and a little fat..).

See Reina here

Not for sale!

2010-05-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

Thank You all for congratulations and for wanting my baby, she is the perfect little combination of her mum and dad, she is the first result of all our enthusiasm and she is so wanted, so how could I sell her!!!?

Donita VIK 3 weeks!

2010-05-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

Finally, at last, I got to see her - love, love, love! She has same eye, neck, face, croup, legs, ears as her Dad, she already has a stallion neck that is so incredibly uphill it is unreal, barock, barock, she kicks with her foreleg, she lifts those sweet little expressive legs like a proper española, she has lots of body, a intelligent big eye, she is calm and confident, playful - I could go on and on - simply adorable!

Donita VIK, mother Intimidad and her extra mummy Aniara.

Birthday always a good day!

2010-05-01T03:14:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday and these are the presents to decorate Vikinga PRE stables and for drinking lots of sangria!
Donita VIK here 1 week

Suddenly summer!

2010-04-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

Ok so there won't be any '5 days old'....
Today we had a professional photographer here to make new photos of Start & Donoso, it is such a beautiful landscape now, green with colourful flowers and my car showed 28 degrees at one point today! I am now crayfish-colour despite sunscreen 30+.... I was not made for the sun but I love it....There is still snow in the peaks and in the night the crickets are having concert, I am totally addicted to this sound, the smell of the pine, jarra (bushy sticky plant) and the nightingale. Today there is a also a full moon just to decorate a little more. No problem to comercialize Spain, just bring suntanlotion!
Tomorrow is client-day.
Javier had this one made today when we updated on our sales horses.

4 days old

2010-04-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

My dad is totally proud and says it is the most beautiful foal they have ever had, they have been breeding Swedish Warmbloods for 39 years and have seen a few.
He did these today, sorry, I know it is boring, but it is not for me!

3 days old!

2010-04-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

My dear parents take pictures every day for our horse-baby diary! Tack!

2 days today!

2010-04-24T14:58:00.000-07:00

Girlfriend

2010-04-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

This beautiful mare will have a baby-Donoso next year!

1 day old!

2010-04-24T03:44:00.000-07:00

Donita that means 'little gift' (or small Donoso), from yesterday the 23rd.