The Hispano-Arabe is the result of breeding a purebred, registered Andalusian to a purebred, registered Arabian. This Andalusian-Arabian cross ideally produces an intelligent, level-headed, bold-moving horse of superb quality and presence.

The Hispano-Arabe usually ranges between 15 and 16 hands in height. The refinement of the Arabian head carries through; the neck is long, muscular, and well arched, a contribution from the Andalusian. The shapely withers ensure good saddle placement. The body is full and strong with a large chest, deep and muscled with great depth through the heart girth. Also inherited from the Andalusian, the Hispano-Arabe exhibits a solid foundation of ample, extremely dense bone, and well shaped hooves which are extremely strong.

The combination of beauty, along with brilliant, floating action from the Arabian, and the strength, power, and elegance of the Andalusian can only be described as breathtaking.

The Hispano-Arabe has been a long-lived and respected breed in Europe, where it is a popular dressage and pleasure mount, prized for its athletic ability, gentle temperament and regal bearing.

Andalusian-Arabian crosses are eligible for admission to the Hispano-Arabe Registry, the American Warmblood Registry, the Half Arabian Horse Registry, and the Iberian Warmblood Registry, among others. This enables the breeders and owners to exhibit and show their horses in the arena that best suits their breeding program or riding style.


The Iberian Horse is the most ancient riding horse known to man. The Spanish and Portuguese horse originates from the Iberian Peninsula. The Andalusians (Spanish) and the Lusitanos (Portuguese) are different branches of the same breed. The University of Kentucky blood testing proves that there is no difference in genetic markers or variability.

The first dressage horses were powerful horses; at the best time of classical dressage riding "à la française", the horses used were almost always Iberian horses. Most native breeds in the United States can trace its heritage to Andalusins that came with the Conquistadors which include Quarter Horses, Paints, Mustangs, Appaloosas and the gaited breeds.

There is a need in equestrian competition for a horse that has the physical capabilities to easily perform the higher levels of training without the unsoundness that is so prevalent in the more common Warmbloods that came from draft type ancestors shown in the old German studbooks and the Dutch histories. Crossing the large-bodied breeds on smaller and slight-legged types often leads to soundness problems such as ringbone, splints and founder. Since the Andalusian/Lusitano has the strongest legs of any breed, in relation to size, he is the ideal breed to consider crossing with a draft or heavy Thoroughbred.

Seeing an Iberian horse perform gives an understanding why this breed has the potential to become the worlds most sought after sport horse. Not only is soundness of limb a necessity, but just as importantly is soundness of mind. Highly intelligent with a willingness to please makes the Iberian an utmost candidate for an equine partner.

The Iberian is not well known in the world of Sport Horses due to the lack of availability of the horse which has led to a lack of knowledge of this rare and magnificent horse. On October 19, 1964, "Rebuscada" was the first Andalusian to set her hooves on American soil since the time of the Conquistadors. There has been a steady increase in the popularity of the breed, stifled only by the lack of number of horses. The Thoroughbred and Andalusian cross have long been the most desired Hunter/Jumper and Eventer in Australia. John Whittaker, the leading jumper in the world, has stated that this cross makes the best jumper in the world, bar none.

The time has come to present this exceptional and talented breed to the general equestrian population as another option for various disciplines. It is our endeavor and our passion to promote the breeding of quality Iberian Warmbloods and to educate equine enthusiasts, everywhere, about these spectacular horses descended from ..... "The Horse of Kings."
A rare and exclusive breed, the Spanish-Norman blends the genes of the Andalusian of Spain and the Percheron of France to re-create the phenotype of the courageous horse that thundered across the battlefields of Europe. These were the noble horses, bred for courage, strength and stamina that left an indelible imprint on the history of the western world.

The Spanish-Norman, "the warhorse of the ages as the sporthorse of today," is capturing an international audience of equine aficionados.

Research shows that early Spanish horses influenced the development of the now lost Norman horses of medieval France. Norman horses infused with Barb blood contributed to the equine type that would eventually come to be known as Percheron, after the Les Perches region of France. Both the horses of Andalusia and Normandy possessed an infusion of Barb blood from the Moorish invasions. Blood typing studies by Dr. E. Gus Cothran of the University of Kentucky, have located similar genetic markers in both breeds. With their common oriental ancestry, breeding Andalusians to Percherons produces offspring approximating the type of the old Norman horse, prized for carrying the knights to victory centuries ago.

A versatile sporthorse, the Spanish-Norman physically embodies the heritage of its noble ancestors. From the regal Andalusian comes its elegant beauty, boldness and natural collection. From the Percheron comes its strength, size and bone density.

Endowed with the unique combination of presence and docility, the modern Spanish-Norman is 15.3 to 17 hands and is predominately gray with some bays and blacks. Physical characteristics of this athletic breed are large expressive eyes; long graceful necks; laid back shoulders that blend smoothly into short backs; strong hindquarters; and sturdy feet and legs. They are bred to move freely from the shoulder with elastic, fluid movement, featuring engagement and elevation with extension.

Spanish-Normans have the potential to excel in a variety of equine disciplines including jumping, eventing, dressage and driving. They perform in medieval games and historical re-enactments, are also excellent pleasure, parade and exhibition horses.

Since Spanish-Normans carry at least 50% Andalusian blood, they can be dual registered as Half-Andalusians with the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association and are eligible to compete as such in shows sponsored by I.A.L.H.A.