At the annual open board meeting for The Foundation for the P.R.E. (Pura RazaEspanola) in Dallas, Texas, January 25th, 2008 Foundation directors unveiled a sweeping and detailed plan for a worldwide registry for the Pure Spanish Horse, to be known as P.R.E.Mundial.

Foundation members were treated to an overview of a registry that will serve breeders and owners throughout the world, overseen by a group renowned for its integrity and commitment to this incomparable breed.

With a template of the new registry document in hand, reminiscent of the traditional Spanish “carta”, (the brightly-covered booklet that is the proof of registration for the P.R.E.), and Power Point presentations on the history of The Foundation and the recent problems with the current administrators of the stud book in Spain, directors made a strong case for going forward with a new worldwide registry, and the members on hand agreed overwhelmingly to adopt the proposal.

As Barbara Currie, Chairman of the Board reminded members, there have always been some nagging problems and agonizing delays in the registration of the Spanish horse due to language barriers and a dizzying and ever-changing variety of bureaucratic issues.

“The recent passing of the stud book out of the hands of its traditional administrators, the Cria Caballar, has painfully highlighted the need for a more global approach to registering and advocating for the P.R.E and an upgrade of the services provided to breeders and owners. Registration documents have to be produced in a timely fashion.  We do all of this for the sake of the breed’s reputation and standing throughout the world.”

Ms. Currie further stated “With the blessings of many in Spain, and with so many other countries eager to see P.R.E. Mundial take wing, The Foundation will incorporate the best of the 100 year old quality control inspections and documentation of genealogy used by the previous administrators of the stud book, --- adhering to important Spanish traditions and ideals for our beloved horses --- and still bring it into the 21st century with enhanced efficiency in administering the registry. We are thrilled to have the support and participation of former officers of the Cria Caballar, as well as other experts for P.R.E Mundial. The support of judges from the Spanish College of Judges so we can continue our shows and seminars on the P.R.E. is icing on the cake.”

Vice President Jennings Lambeth agrees, “We believe we’ll add members rapidly as we prove our capabilities with action. Most importantly, P.R.E. Mundial will provide its members with autonomy and input, luxuries they have not had in the past. We will begin processing registrations immediately and project that our first cartas will go out in February.”

Pedro de Montaner, General Manager for the Medieval Times Dinner Theatres, said in his remarks on accepting an achievement award at the meeting, “I am Spanish and I totally support The Foundation. I am very unhappy with ANCCE, the present administrators of the stud book, and think we are now on the right track for the good of the horse. The Foundation has my full support. I support Barbara Currie 1000 percent.  The Spanish horse has come to the fore in the United States thanks to her efforts, hard work and love of the P.R.E.”

Meeting attendee, Suzy Fisher, Veterinarian and P.R.E. owner pronounced the plan for the registry, “a truly wonderful and tremendous opportunity for everyone with a pure Spanish horse. The Foundation is dedicated and passionate about the P.R.E and the horse ALWAYS comes first. It will be organized, efficient and a benefit to breeders and owners.”

P.R.E. Mundial will document the genealogy of each horse at its inscription and will also offer a rigorous revision process using the traditional assessment methods of the Cria Caballar. Upon successful revision a horse will have stamps within the Carta Mundial booklet to indicate whether or not the horse is of unbroken lineage of revised parentage to the original Spanish stud book.

P.R.E. Mundial will establish this revision process following the standards previously used by the Cria Caballar. With recent developments in Spain, the relaxing of the Valoracion process has been one of the major concerns of breeders around the globe who are committed to continuing a tradition of excellence established 500 years ago by Spain’s King Felipe II.

To create the fairest standards for all, P.R.E. Mundial will maintain, for the present at least, a policy of continuous “open” Revision, (a term selected by members at the meeting), whereby a breeder that has a horse that does not pass the first inspection may present again as many times as seems necessary. Often, new owners do not understand the criteria or just have a horse that is maturing more slowly and need to bring the horse back when he’s a bit older.

In a further effort to honor the Spanish horse throughout the world, the new registry invites geldings and other Spanish horses currently outside the Spanish Stud Book, which have genetic claim to P.R.E. status through DNA, into the fold. These horses will not have the unbroken lineage stamp on their carta but will be eligible for Revision, which documents, if passed, their Spanish “type” and conformity to morphological qualities prized in the P.R.E.

The Foundation invites owners and breeders of Pure Spanish horses in the United States --- who have questions or who would like to begin registering stock --- to contact them by phone in their Albuquerque offices at: 505-294-0800. The program became operational in February 2008.

For a complete history of the P.R.E. horse in the United States and how and why the membership made the decision to initiate the P.R.E. Mundial  (Worldwide) registry, click here.

For detailed information about P.R.E. Mundial policies, procedures, and pricing, click here.