Jerez hosts the selection tests for young vaquera dressage horses

The Young Horse Selection Trials for Doma Vaquera have brought together promising specimens, breeders, and high-level riders in Jerez. Organized by the Spanish Association of Doma Vaquera, the event has established itself as a key date for the sector, where the quality and potential of future competition horses are evaluated.

Andalusian horse executing a precise vaquera turn on packed earth arena, rider in traditional traje corto with short reins, horse’s hindquarters engaged and forehand lifted, dust rising from hooves during the movement, sunlight casting long shadows, in background a whitewashed stable building and oak trees, technical evaluation moment with judge observing from side, photorealistic equestrian sport photography style, warm golden hour light, detailed horse musculature and tack, cinematic depth of field

Technical evaluation and genetic development in the arena 🐎

The judges analyze aspects such as balance, mobility, and response to aids in each specimen. The selection is based on functional criteria aimed at enhancing the genetic improvement of the breed. The horses' ability to perform precise movements is assessed, with emphasis on flexibility and willingness to work. The data collected will serve to guide future crosses and breeding plans.

The day the colt decided he preferred to be a bullfighter 🤠

Everything was going smoothly until a young sorrel, in the middle of the test, decided that the trunk of a holm oak was a more interesting rival than the cones. The rider, with the patience of a saint, tried to redirect it while the animal, proudly, circled the tree as if bullfighting. The judges noted: great turning ability, poor professional orientation.