Renclí selected for the Olympics 2012 in London

Renclí and his young rider Mattia Alghisi are selected to represent his country for the junior Italian team at the Olympics of 2012 in London.

We could not believe our eyes when we visited the online edition of the newspaper in Menorca, on the front page a picture of Renclí, ridden by Mattia, with the title “the Minorcan horse Renclí to the Olympics in London 2012″ WOW!!… … we rush to page 9 where the whole story is written, our hearts beat fast due to the excitement …After reading we quickly call Mattia and Siscu Marqués to congratulate each other, and chat a little bit about what this means for the breed.

We purchased Renclí when he was 2 years old in Menorca, it was just as with Mattia “love at first sight”. Initially Renclí remained in Menorca to be trained by Siscu Marqués in the Minorcan art dressage (Doma Menorquina), after 1 year of training he arrived in 2007 to our studfarm in Wilp (Netherlands) where we have really enjoyed him. Throughout 2007 he was the stud at our studfarm and he gave us gorgeous foals, 1 Stallion and mares 4. Xakhira is fortunately still with us and that will now remain so.

After the arrivel of our other 2 stallions Urubú an tyrol, Renclí’s life was not easy. He is a very temperamental Stallion who doesn’t tolerate other stallions near his mares. Our studfarm, where mares and stallions see each other constantly was not the ideal place for him to be. So many mares and other “competitors” in the vicinity, made him constantly very nervous. In 2010 we decided to sell him to Mattia. We knew it was a very good match, we had met Mattia in Verona in 2009, we were particularly impressed with him, not just how seriously he coped with the horses, but also the peace he radiated. He is not an extrovert person, but with horses he thrives completely.

We are particularly proud that Mattia and Renclí have managed to get this far through hard work and commitment, we are really happy for them. Renclí remains a very special animal who has stolen a piece of our hearts forever. The combination of Mattia and Siscu Marqués is also a golden combination.

We hope to soon be able to tell you more about this.

Read below the literal translation of the article in Menorca. You can see here the PDF, if you understand Minorcan of course.

TRANSLATION (thanks to Michelle Bilsland)

A demonstration of the great possibilities and qualities of the autoctóne minorcan horses

Renclí, from Menorca to the classical dressage arena at the Olympic Games of London 2012

The young Italian rider Mattia Alghisi who is only 14 years old and his Raça Menorquina horse will participate in the high school trials, which will take place from 2 to 9 August during the Olympics in England.

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Isaac Pons de Rosa, Ciutadella
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The complex of Greenwich Park, where between 2 and 9 August the equestrian trials of the Olympic Games will take place, it will be a scene where Renclí, Pura Raza Menorquina horse, will attend the modality of classical dressage, ridden by his young Italian rider Mattia Alghisi, only 14 years young. This fact means it’s the first appearance of a horse of the pure breed from Menorca to an international event as important as the Olympic Games, which is clear evidence that the Minorcan horses can very well be used for other purposes than just the popular fiestas in Menorca.

The selection of Alghisi and his horse Renclí for the Olympic Games came after participating in the Championship of High School which took place on September 3^rd 2011, in Vairano di Vidigulfo (Pavia). He also competed in the dressage tests (category E 210) which took place on November 13^th in Verolanuova (Brescia).

Renclí is a gorgeous black horse, born on April 5th 2003, his pedigree Culumí (father)  and Esbelta (mother) is very good. Bred by Pau Bosch on the farm “S’Almudaina” in Ciutadella. This horse came in the hands of Siscu Fuster and Jannette Bijsterbosch when he was 2 years old. Siscu, is also from Ciutadella but now living in Netherlands for 19 years, In 2006 they founded a studfarm with the goal being the breeding and promotion of Pura Raza Menorquina Horses. Renclí was at the stud for 1 year in the Netherlands, his descendants, 1 stallion and 4 mares are: Xavalet HS (stallion), Xakhira HS, HS, Xocolatina, Xalonia and HS Xuruga HS. All born between March and May 2008.

A PASSIONATE  MAN  ALGHISI

The story of Mattia and the Minorcan Horses was “love at first sight”, as he himself tells in an article that was recently published in a specialized magazine in Italy “Cavallo Sports Junior”. In 2007 when Alghisi only was 9 years old, he attended a fair where Menorca Horses were present “as soon as I saw the horses, I knew right away that my baptism on the saddle could only be with that horse”, he recalls. The horse in question, who managed to catch his attention, was “Fairy”, he enchanted Matthia with his dark eyes and beautiful midnight black coat.

 A year later, Alghisi went to the Gala of “Fiera Cavalli ” in Verona, where “Escola Menorquina” was present, manager and owner Siscu Marques, was representing the breed of Menorca horses, at that point Marques already noticed the potential of this young man.

The following chapter became a holiday for Mattia and his family in Menorca, which ended in the purchase of a Minorcan horse to bring back to Milan, once he could convince himself about the qualities and potential of these horses. Here is where the relationship of the Alghisi family with the Menorquina Horses began, 2010 followed next when his mother Laura Sussani purchased Renclí. Since then, Mattia has worked on the Renclí intensively to improve their dressage skills, assisted by the German trainer Frauke Geilhof and Marco Caremi.

BREED QUALITIES

Earlier in an article of April 6th, 2009, also in the newspaper “el Menorca”, Siscu Fuster said “I am convinced that (the Menorquín) is a horse with very good properties and qualities for the dressage”. These words are also now included in the words of an expert in the autoctone breed of horses Pura Raza menorquina – Siscu Marqués “on Menorca lots Minorcans think this horse can be only used for the popular fiestas and not for dressage. We are aware that our breed is a young breed, we still have a lot to improve, we can improve that with Renclí and the right techniques and training methods. Menorca Horses can achieve very good results “. In fact, the director of this equestrian school, located at “Binisebani” thinks “If the sea between Menorca and the Mainland didn’t exist, the breed would be by now much more renowned”

In another way, to put it in the words of the young rider who will ride Renclí at the Olympic Games in  London 2012, “generally the Menorca Horse is commonly known for its splendour and elegance, I would like to contribute towards making people aware of his real potential, its real value and the versatility of these animals”

During the last week of April Sicu Maqués will be attending a dressage trial of Mattia and of Renclí in Milan. This is in order to cooperate in the training of Renclí and Mattia, utilising his deep knowledge of the gaits and character of the Pura Raza Menorquina.

The site, which can be found at www.menorca.es, features information, events, pictures, videos and interactive forums so visitors interested in horses and horse riding can make the most of their time on the island.

The website launch follows a concerted campaign aimed at attracting more equine lovers to the Mediterranean hotspot.

Horses have played an integral role in Menorca’s history and horse riding is offered in riding centres and clubs across the island, many of which are concentrated in the capital of Mahón, Ferreries and Ciutadella.

There is an emphasis on the Camí de Cavalls (Horses’ Path), a historical route that was used during the period of British domination and that follows the whole of the coast of Menorca. This is due to officially open in one month’s time after a restoration programme. read more

The Menorcans love to party and with festivals and fiestas taking place in every month of the year thy have plenty of reasons to celebrate. Festivals range from traditional religious festivals and saints days through to more modern festivities that celebrate local music and the arts. All festivals are suitable for all the family.

Wherever celebrations are taking place you are sure to see the Menorcan horse. The horse is a particularly important emblem of Menorca, with the special Menorcan breed having been carefully bred to create an elegant shape and distinct black colouring.

As well as traditional dishes and handmade cakes, sweets and treats, you will find plenty of refreshments at all Menorcan celebrations. A signature drink at festivities is the “gin amb llimonada” cocktail. This is a delicious mixture of gin and lemonade or lemon juice. Also called “pomada” in several villages of Menorca.

The biggest festival that takes place on the island celebrates the patron saint Saint John. On the 23rd and 24th June in the town of Ciutadella, Sant Joan, to give him his Menorcan name, is celebrated with locals dressed in traditional costumes, bands playing and the Menorcan horses putting on a show.

During the Menorca holiday season the towns come alive with the fiestas. The Spanish passion for horses is brought to life enliven with celebrations of music, costume and jubilation, a spectacle that you should not miss on your Menorca holidays.

Every year Menorca becomes a country of colour and celebration during the national public holidays in Menorca and the summer fiesta season. The annual cycle of Menorca holidays and fiestas begins with the Festival of Sant Joan towards the end of June, in the town of Ciutadella. This festival weekend is the largest of the island’s celebrations with towns around the countryside hosting their own regional versions throughout the Menorcan holiday season.

On June the 23rd, the locals (and visitors from across the island) pour out from their Menorca villas in their thousands for days of dance and procession in the Ciutadella streets under strings of lights and paper bunting. The Spanish passion for horses is brought to life in a series of horse trials and parades, leading up to tests of riding skill. Usually, the riders wear the classic Spanish riding uniform: immaculate white trousers and shirt, with a riding jacket, boots and classic Spanish

Welcome to the studfarm “Het Soerhuis”!!

The first studfarm of Menorquina horses in the Netherlands! With great pride, we would like to introduce these beautiful horses to you.   On this website, in addition to an introduction and explanation of our stud farm, you will learn more about our vision, our horses and everything that we are able to facilitate.

You will also find invaluable and fascinating information about Menorquina horses, also known as Menorquín or Pura Raza Menorquina (P.R.M.). By clicking on the “The breed” tab, you will find a description of the Menorquina breed along with additional information on how these horses are used in Menorca and about their identity.

One of our main objectives is to help you become more familiar with the Minorcan breed, along with improving the breed, we are therefore already pleased that you are visiting our website. If you have never heard of these wonderful baroque horses, nor have had the pleasure of seeing one in person, then we invite you to “navigate” through the menu section of our website in order to enjoy the informative “material” that our site offers.

Who knows, maybe soon you will have a beautiful Menorquín in your horse stable!   We hope you visit our website again!

Francisco Fuster

Jannette Bijsterbosch