Yeguada Iberica (Spanish, for Iberian Stud) is situated in the quiet setting of the village of Knotting, off the A6 between Bedford and Rushden and is owned and run by Richard and Sue Lüst.

Yeguada Iberica is a working Spanish stud, where their Purebred Spanish (Andalusian) mares and stallions are ridden, driven, shown in hand, worked in hand and mares are worked in the Lotte. The stud’s Purebred Spanish Horse displays are well known and appreciated. Horses are trained in the ‘classical’ style and wherever possible the stud is run very much along the lines of the old established studs of Spain.

With the largest collection of Spanish Horses in the country, Yeguada Iberica also has the greatest choice of stallions to choose for stud at any single UK base. Currently standing are Granero IV (grey), Malabar (bay), Kan VIII (bay), Emir VII (iron grey) and a further three or four Purebred Spanish and one Purebred Lusitano are expected to be standing next year, giving the stud visitor a choice of up to nine Purebred stallions. Naturally all stallions are graded, approved for breeding and included in the Spanish State Stud Book (or Portuguese for the Lusitano).

All the stallions have proven to perform with excellence, winning many competitions, including National Breed Show championships, under saddle (including side saddle) and driven. The stud’s stallions have produced best British bred, best movement and best foal, yearling, two and three year olds at the Spanish National Championship shows in the UK since 1994 as well as regional champions in Spain.

More than 30 Spanish horses are usually on view, by appointment, and several generations of the stud stallion’s progeny can also be seen, with their dams, including some of the UK’s National Breed Championship winners. Spacious stabling is available for visiting mares with or without foals at foot, with the option of grass to full livery. The stud also offers foaling down facilities. Other facilities include computerised records of all Spanish Stud Books, so advice can be given regarding genealogy, bloodtype etc.

Yeguada Iberica also keep and breed Spanish Horses in Spain and regularly swap horses over, using their own transport, for breeding and training purposes and for introducing new bloodlines - the only UK based ‘Spanish’ stud with a direct and constant working link with Spain.

A selection of Purebred youngstock (including National Championship winners) is currently available for sale, plus a number of partbreds.

On 11th July this year the stud held its annual open day, with an estimated attendance of around 500 visitors. Following the stallion and youngstock parade a number of displays included; classical riding performed in a Paso de Dos, driving demonstration, work in hand and on the long rein and Lotte. (The Lotte is when a group of three or more mares, connected together with just a simple collar, work in hand and together in harmony, with loose foals at foot). Instructional events included; showing in hand demonstrations, plaiting (Doma classica and Doma Vaquera), a talk on Doma Vaquera riding, Spanish tack and costume. The open day is to become an annual event.

Although established at Knotting in 1993, Richard and Sue have been involved with the Spanish Horse (Andalusian) for many years. Both began their riding at an early age and were involved in warmbloods and Thoroughbreds until introduced to the Spanish Horse by a Spanish friend, living in England at the time. When introduced to these horses being ridden Richard realised that although he had been riding in many disciplines all his life, he felt he had much to learn and was impressed with the lightness in the way they were ridden, their balance, willing obedience and agility.

Yeguada Iberica professionally represents the Spanish Horse in the UK along with classical training and a taste of Spain, while also maintaining a breeding programme in Spain and a constant link with the Spanish equestrian world.

If you would like your stud to be considered for this regular feature, please contact us. Whatever breed of horses produced or location, we would be interested to hear from you.

Please email us at joy@field-galleries.co.uk or Click Here or use our Contact Page