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Citaat:

Een simpele vraag
En hij zal je betoveren
Licht brengen
In de donkere hoekjes van je bestaan
Je gevangen houden
In een web van verrukking
Je vergissengen, je onachtzaamheid
Je ondoordachte handelingen
Hij vergeeft je als geen ander

Daar waar velen niet durven gaan
Daar waar anderen vluchten in angst
Daar is zijn stap kloek en vastberaden

Je hoeft geen « groot » ruiter te zijn
Om samen met hem te presteren
Een lichte druk in zijn flank
En hij laat je vliegen
Op de tonen van de wind
Hij draagt je
Veilig door de lucht
Die geladen lijkt
Met een alom vergeten parfum
Gezeten op zijn rug
Brengt het ruisen van de rivier
Je tot rust
Lijken de bergen kleiner
En klinkt het zingen van de nachtegaal
Als muziek

En dan
Dan pas kan je begrijpen
Waarom men hem
« Het paard van de koning » en
« de koning van de paarden »

Vrije vertaling van een gedicht van JUAN LLAMAS

Citaat:

«As you know, of all the horses in the world, whatever their place of origin, climate or province, Spanish horses are the most expert; and they are thus to a point beyond imagination. This does not make them the easiest to train, because they notice everything with too much attention and application, and because they have excellent memories and prepare and anticipate their judgement, even before knowing the wishes of the rider. In view of all of this they need guiding with great skill and according to genuine principles, and not as a matter of routine. But if one knows how to choose a good Pure Spanish Horse, I vouch that it will be the noblest in the world and that from the tip of its ears to the tip of its hoofs there is none to match its cut. It has great vigour and energy but is very docile; it walks proudly and has a style of trot that is the most beautiful in the world. It is arrogant when galloping, is faster than any other race horse, and is much more noble and friendlier than them too; in short, on a day of triumph it is the best type of horse for a great monarch to display his glory to his people, or on a day of battle to lead his army …I therefore claim that Spanish horses are the best in the world. Spanish horses are good for everything, except for pulling carts.»

Duque de Newcastle

«Experience has clearly demonstrated that Spanish horses are undoubtedly the best in the world for dressage purposes, not only because of their figure, which is willing, vigorous and so docile that they are capable of understanding and executing to perfection anything that with skill and patience they are taught ...; in a word, nature appears to have bred them specifically for dressage; and indeed, they have no equal in terms of bravery, fire and magnanimity.»

Barón d´Eisenberg

«Every author has always given preference to Spanish horses, believing them to be the best for dressage due to their agility, spring and cadence. They believe them to be the best for ostentation due to their elegance, distinction and nobility.»

Francois Robichón de la Guériniére, 1733