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What does that mean? Periodically (once every year or two) a team from Spain comes to the United States to evaluate Andalusian horses in this country for the purpose of identifying horses of superior breeding quality. To be eligibile for presentation, it must be established that the horse is of pure Spanish decent and neither parent can have been disqualified for Revision. If either parent was disqualified the horse cannot be presented to the team. Immature horses participate in a process known as Inscription. Essentially, this process is a qualification process for the more rigorous evaluation known as Valoration or Revision. An expert team from Spain is Comprised of a veterinarian, a highly recognized Spanish breeder, and a Colonel from the Spanish military (The Andalusian is historically a valiant War Horse). This team is called the CRIA CABALLAR. The initial examination ensures that very specific measurement requirements are met. Failure to have adequate bone size, height at withers, etc. disqualifies the horse immediately. This measurement phase includes viewing the horse for balanced proportions. To be approved a horse must show a harmony of proportions. The horse is then examined in detail from curvature of the ears and concavity of the face to the set of the tail. All deviations from the standards for the Spanish horse are noted. Finally the horse is presented in motion. In addition to observing the quality of movement, some subjective evaluations are made such as the horses display of nobility. The process ends with a conference by all team members. The horse either passes or fails. If approved, the horse is said to be REVISED or APPROVED by the CRIA CABALLAR. In late summer of 1999, in Marshal Virginia, Majo was honored by the Cria Caballar by their approval for inclusion in the Spanish Stud Book. Needless to say, Majo is absolutely delighted to be considered the Shenandoah Valley's most Eligible Bachelor! |
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