Newsletter: March 2005… Join us in Medieval Merriment at BreyerFest 2005 at the Kentucky Horse Park!

Congratulations to “Serafina PCF”… owned by Ben McKinnon of Lenoir City, Tennessee, the 2003 Spanish-Norman High Point Award winner!

Newsletter December 2003… The magnificent Spanish-Norman foal, El Coquetón, is featured on a beautiful Christmas card produced by the prestigious Leanin’ Tree greeting card company!

Congratulations to “Mantilla TCV”, owned by Judy Cardella, Colts Neck, New Jersey, the 2002 Spanish-Norman High Point Award winner!

Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar: “The Baroque Breeds”… Widespread Influence and Widespread Appeal… What these breeds share is a common heritage, docile personality, and striking good looks. But the slight differences between the breeds are perhaps what make them most unique

GREETINGS-SALUDOS-SALUT-GRUSSE-DZIEN DOBRY! The Spanish-Norman horse is gaining an international audience of aficionados!

Congratulations to “Guerrero”, owned by Joanne Fiola, the 2001 Spanish-Norman High Point Award winner!

The holiday season is a time we always think of our many blessings… this year more than ever. We are thankful for family, friends, health and our country. Another joy is the Spanish-Norman horse! Allan and I are celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Spanish-Norman Horse Registry, Inc.

Newsletter September 2001… Now that fall is upon us, I’ve been thinking how fast time flies and I’m hoping everyone has enjoyed a beautiful summer with your wonderful horses!

by Helen Peppi Equine Journal; May 2001 Founded in 1991, the Spanish-Norman breed history is still young with much unknown as the breed develops to its full potential in the different equine disciplines. Considered the “war horse of the ages,” the Spanish-Norman horse is a combination of the Andalusian of Spain and the Percheron of France, possessing the Andalusian’s agility and the Percheron’s docile temperament. A rare breed, the Spanish-Norman typically stands 15.3 to 17 hands, often closest to the large end of the height scale. The breed’s large size is not intimidating, however, as the Spanish-Norman possesses a gentle and kind nature when either in hand or under saddle. The Spanish-Norman is attracting the attention of equestrians around the world,” says Linda Osterman Hamid, co-founder of the breed registry. The Spanish-Norman’s predecessor, the lost Norman horse of medieval France, was strongly influenced by the Spanish horses. Norman horses mixed with Barb created what came to be known as the Percheron. Throughout history, horse bloodlines and pedigrees have been influenced by invasions and conquests, resulting in many breeds containing some of the same ancestors in their genealogies. The theory behind the Spanish-Norman horse is based on this common ancestry, breeding Andalusians to Percherons to produce get similar to the old Norman horse, the horse valued for its ability to face battle courageously. Linda and her husband Allan, a historian and educator with an interest in genetics, imported their legendary Andalusian stallion, Embajador IX in 1983 to Woodbury, Connecticut. When the Hamids felt they had recreated the breed characteristics of the extinct Norman horse, historically and genetically, they founded the Spanish-Norman breed and the Spanish-Norman Horse Registry, Inc.. Beginning with one foundation sire, Embajador IX, ten years ago, it says a lot for the growth of the Spanish-Norman breeds that there are now 76 Andalusian sires in the registry, located across the United States and Canada. Romántico H.H.F., also owned by Linda and Allan Hamid and sired by Embajador IX, is an outstanding representative of the Spanish-Norman and an ambassador for the breed. A grey standing 16.1 hands, Romántico H.H.F. exemplifies the breed’s best characteristics. Linda describes him as majestic, athletic, and with a wonderful temperament. “Allan and I were thrilled to see Romántico H.H.F. win a sixth place ribbon in the Freestyle Reining at the United States Equestrian Team ‘Festival of Champions’ last June at the USET Olympic Training Center in Gladstone New Jersey. We were honored that a Spanish-Norman stallion was invited to compete in such a prestigious event. Our main goal in re-creating the medieval war horse and establishing the breed registry, was to produce excellent performance horses for various disciplines,” she says. Romántico H.H.F. creates a dramatic...

Newsletter April 2001… “The Noble Warhorse Returns”… An outstanding sporthorse that retains the presence, physical and mental abilities of the classic European warhorse.

Congratulations to ‘Victoria of Fox Run’, the 2000 High Point Award winner, owned by Vicky McIntire and Ronald Phillips, Richmond Kentucky.

Linda and Allan Hamid, and the Spanish-Norman Horse Registry, Inc. extend warm congratulations to Bobbie Newton of Dos Desperados Ranch in Sedona, Arizona for exhibiting her Spanish-Norman filly ‘Bella’ at EqWest in Del Mar, California, November 17-19, 2000.

USET Festival of Champions 2000 Happy 4th of July to all! Please excuse our delay in filing a report on the USET ‘Festival of Champions.’ Allan and I took off a few days afterward to decompress and relax. We are still enjoying the afterglow of a marvelous experience! We loved all three days at the USET Headquarters and Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, New Jersey. The best, of course, was Saturday, June 24, when our Spanish-Norman stallion Romantico H.H.F. competed in the Invitational Freestyle Reining! Although Romantico H.H.F. and his trainer Garry McAllister did not beat the best reiners in the country, they were definitely at the top in audience appreciation. The huge crowd was thunderous in applause for the pair in medieval armor performing to Elton John’s song ‘On the Trail’ which, for us, symbolized both Reining and the Spanish-Norman entering the world of international competition. The beautiful, green 6th place United States Equestrian Team ribbon is a treasure too. We were most impressed with the wonderful, warm welcome we received from both the USET Directors and the President of the National Reining Horse Association. Both thanked us more than once for bringing Romantico H.H.F. to the ‘Festival of Champions.’ Of course, we said we were honored to be invited. Photos and/or a photo ad will appear soon in the following horse publications: the ‘Reiner,’ ‘Equine Journal,’ ‘Conquistador,’ ‘Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar,’ and ‘Andalusian,’ magazine. We want to congratulate the NRHA and the USET for all their achievements on Reining’s acceptance by the FEI as an Olympic sport. The Reining arena and V.I.P. tent at Gladstone is the most impressive. Everyday we were treated to fantastic catered luncheons, open bar, gorgeous flower arrangements on every table, with flags of the countries competing in the first Nations Cup of Reining: U.S.A., Italy, Canada, Japan and Argentina. There was an ambiance of cordiality and excitement. Allan and I were thrilled to be a part of the important event and proud to display the Spanish-Norman breed to the international press, enthusiastic audience, and national media present there. On Saturday evening, Rolex presented a gala dinner dance, ‘Go for the Gold/Send Off to Sydney,’ a benefit for the USET and honoring our Olympian Medalists from the past. Upon entering the gorgeous Skylands, guests were greeted by dignitaries and immediately served champagne. (Mrs. Bruce Springsteen was Honorary Chairman.) On the first floor a jazz ensemble played as guests sampled elaborate hors d’oeuvres. Dinner was served upstairs in the Grand Ballroom and featured Australian cuisine and wines. The ice sculptures and decorations were majestic horses and Olympic motifs for the USET 50th Anniversary Celebration. The orchestra, food, celebrities, and charming guests made it a night to remember....

The equestrian community has lost one of it’s finest ambassadors. On April 30, 1998, the classic Andalusian stallion, Embajador XI, owned by Linda and Allan Hamid, passed away.

The equestrian community lost one of it’s finest ambassadors when Embajador XI passed away on April 30, 2000.

Little horse to some, great heart to all. The friend is gone, but the loving stays… Bettina Drummond pays tribute to Embajador XI

Elixir’s Gabriella, registered Spanish-Norman filly, b. 5/99, is shown here as a newborn. She is sired by the Spanish stallion, Elixir TG,, owned by Ann Puthoff of Fremont,Indiana, and out of the Spanish-Norman mare, Mi Vida Isabeau, also owned by Ann. As Gabby has grown, it’s become obvious that she’s inherited not only the beauty of both her parents, but their sweet dispositions as well. She’s kind and extremely connected with her human, as well as equine friends, in addition to showing great promise as a future dressage...

PRESS RELEASE: Spanish-Norman invited to compete at the United States Equestrian Team 2000 ‘Festival of Champions’

From October 4th-24, 1999, Columbus, Ohio hosted the All American Quarter Horse Congress with over 8,000 Quarter Horses from the United States, Europe and Latin America and one Spanish-Norman horse from Connecticut competing.