The rapidly growing number of Andalusian aficionados found something for every taste and style at the Ohio Equine Affaire. A lady danced with a white stallion. Dressage medalists demonstrated 4th level movements. Senioritas in beautiful Flamenco dress cantered their horses while riders in western cowboy and traditional Spanish ranch attire pranced through Spotlight performances.

Laura Amandis and her white Andalusian Stallion, Acierto, entranced crowds at the nightly Pfizer Fantasia. Laura’s signature act is a routine with Acierto where the stallion, at complete liberty, dances with Laura as he responds to only body language cues. Eager spectators received a welcome double dose of the Andalusian team as Laura later demonstrated La Garocha, a mounted demonstration of the use of the long pole that, in Spain, replaces the cowboy’s rope.

The dressage credentials of the Andalusian were verified as two gray stallions put on an exhibition to remember. Barbian, owned by Pam Nelson’s Hidden Pond Farm in New Richmond, Ohio, is an imported 4th level dressage competitor. He was joined in a Pas de Deux by Listo VI, owned by Dick and Joann Fletcher of Lexington, Ohio. Listo was recognized by the International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association (IALHA) in 2005 for the highest dressage scores in the United States.

While flamenco music played softly in the background, the IALHA riders exhibited the Andalusian and the announcer explained the history of Europe’s Oldest Breed. Manuela Reynolds of El Silencio Farm in West Virginia, impeccably turned out in traditional Spanish riding attire, presented Deco, a 4-year-old PRE Andalusian Stallion. Only two months under saddle, Deco demonstrated the exemplary temperament that has made the Andalusian famous for trainability. The manners of this young stallion were something to watch