Two of the three confirmed horse guests at BreyerFest this year will be Pura Raza Espanola (PRE) horses, a breed better known to most people as the Andalusian.

The first Andalusian is Pecos, a gray stallion who is a direct descendent of the famous Legionario. Pecos is a show horse who performs the Spanish Garrocha (a Spanish ballet between horse and rider around a pole), and a dressage champion.

Pecos is also the 2011 Celebration Horse, with a beautiful portrait model using last year's break-out mold, Esprit. Pecos' mold features dappling, gray shading, and charcoal points, as well as painted chestnuts and what seems to be a pearlescent sheen.

The second Andalusian is Kripton-Seni II, a bay stallion who was imported from Spain in 2004. Kripton was the United States Equestrian Foundation Horse of Honor in 2009, and was named Horse of the Year by the show committee of the International Andalusian and Lusitano Horse Association in 2008.  Kripton is versatile, with wins in Halter, Hunt Seat Pleasure, Western Pleasure, Dressage Suitability, and Hack. His breeder's website also notes that he has a "wonderful temperament" and "can be ridden by pros and amateurs of all ages."

Kripton-Seni II's portrait model is a lovely bay version of Kathleen Moody's popular 2004 model Andalusian Stallion. The model features little white socks on his hind legs, black hooves in front and pale hooves with stripes in back, and Kripton-Seni II's white diamond brand on his left flank.

The Andalusian or Pure Spanish Horse was first recognized as a separate breed in the 15th century. This large, sturdy horse was originally used as a war horse during the late medieval era and early Renaissance. Its large, rounded, impressive form also featured in many paintings and sculptures of the era, symbolizing the power and grace of the Spanish horse.

The same reasons that led Renaissance painters to feature Andalusians in their paintings also leads today's movie industry to cast Andalusians in movies. Andalusians feature prominently in the Lord of the Rings movies, playing Shadowfax and the Nazgul steeds. An Andalusian (gray with a long wavy mane) played opposite Ladyhawke's more famous black Friesian stallion in the final church battle scene. Andalusians played the unicorns in Legend, and also appear in Gladiator, the Chronicles of Narnia movies, Braveheart, and many other movies that called for an epic steed.

In its long history, the Andalusian has undergone some hard times. In the 19th century many Andalusians were lost to war, including a considerable number which were stolen by Napoleon's army during the invasion. At another point, an epidemic reduced the population to just one isolated herd at a monastery's stud farm.

The population has rebounded somewhat, with over 73,000 horses registered in the official stud book. Although it is still somewhat rare in America with only about 4,500 total Andalusians in the states today. (By comparison there are 37,000 new Thoroughbred foals registered in America every year, with a global population of around 118,000 new foals registered every year. Not counting existing adults!)