Summer course at the International Menéndez Pelayo University

                                Director, Prof. Dr. E. Agüera
                         Santander, from June 23-28, 2008

The equestrian sector in Spain has, throughout the past decade, experienced unusual growth. The best endorsement for this asseveration was provided by the competitive success achieved at the last Olympics, in Athens, where the Dressage team won the silver medal, with PREs (Purebred Spanish Horses). Once again, this translated in the PRE being more appreciation internationally, and to an extent that the amount paid for some horses reached the sum of 300,000 euros. In addition, the sector has recovered its natural international prestige, providing wealth and employment.  In Andalusia alone, Rodríguez Alcalde quantifies the direct revenues of this equestrian world, in 2002, at 478 million euros.  In 2003, there were 68,006 stallions and 72,622 mares in the PRE Stud Book.

Taking advantage of this bonanza, the time seemed right to bring the horse to the University, and to use it as a platform for dissemination to achieve the following objectives:

a) To discuss the problems having an impact in the development of the world of horses in general, and more specifically the PRE world (the most representative breed of Spain);

b) To present society with the cultural and competitive aspects horses offer, as well as the economic potential and well-being that can be obtained from them;

c) To spread the wealth that this sector provides in a developed society and its future perspectives;

d) To summons all those involved in the world of horses in northern Spain to Santander, to transfer the Andalusian model  to that area, so as to reactivate their equestrian businesses, and

e) To reach conclusions and disseminate them throughout the country.

> I. Equestrian Culture (23rd)
I.a. Equestrian Art: From the paintings of Altamira al Guernica.
Alberto Villar Movellán
Professor of History of Art at the University of Cordoba

I.b. The equestrian organization of Philip II: The Andalusian Horse.
Eduardo Agüera Carmona
Professor at the University of Cordoba School of Veterinarian Science.

I.c. The Carriage: Origin and evolution
Miguel Rojas Maestre
Carriage Driving Member of the Spanish Equestrian Federation.

> II. Dressage (24th)
II.a. The PRE (Purebred Spanish Horse) and Dressage.
Rosa Mª Fraderas Lloret
Dressage Member of the Spanish Equestrian Federation.

II.b. Silver medal for Dressage, at the Athens Olympics
Beatriz Ferrer Salat
Rider on the Athens Olympics Dressage team

II.c. The Spanish Dressage team for Beijing. Horses and riders
Round table.
              
(afternoon) Equestrian exhibition - Dressage.

> III. The PRE (Purebred Spanish Horse) (25th)
III.a. The National PRE Breeder’ Association
Carmen Martínez de Sola Coello de Portugal
Former president of ANCCE

III.b. Current state of the PRE Stud Book
Juan Pedro Domecq Solís
In charge of the Stud Book and breeder

III.c. Passion and charm of the Andalusian Horse
Álvaro Domecq Romero
Founder of the Royal School of Equestrian Arte, in Jerez

> IV. Structure and Economy of the Equestrian Sector (26th)
IV.a. National Plan for the Organization and Promotion of the Spanish Equine Sector
Carlos Escribano Mora
Director General of Animal Production
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

IV.b. The equestrian business and tourism
Ramón Moreno de los Ríos
Honorary President of Rural and Equestrian Tourism of Andalusia

IV.c. Equestrian Training
Ernesto Vázquez López
President of the Opinion Forum “El Caballo Español” (The Spanish Horse)

(afternoon) Equestrian exhibition

> V. Structure and Economy of the Equestrian Sector II (27th)
V. a. Organization of equestrian competition: the role of the Spanish Equestrian Federation.
Francisco Castejón Montijano.
Professor at the University of Cordoba School of Veterinarian Science 
President of the Veterinary commission of the Spanish Equestrian Federation

V.b. The equestrian sector balance sheet: the Andalusian case.
José Javier Rodríguez Alcaide
Professor at the University of Cordoba School of Veterinarian Science 

Secretary of the course: Prof. Dr. Francisco Peña Blanco
Professor of Ethnology, at the University of Cordoba.

Duration of the course: 30 hours

For more information:

http://www.uimp.es/
rberzosa@uimp.es