Behind the scenes of one family’s successful breeding program

Last month’s Ibericon in Ocala was a breathtaking showcase for the two horse breeds from the Iberian Peninsula: the Andalusian from Spain, also known as the PRE (Pura Raza Española) and Portuguese Lusitano.

Photo Credit – Hope Bustamante-Torres

Held at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, the extravaganza was sponsored by Hampton Green Farms, in conjunction with the United States PRE Association and the United States Lusitano Association, amongst others.

While riders were demonstrating the prowess of their Iberian horses at the top levels in the dressage arena, the Juarez family from South Carolina was impressing ANCCE judges from Spain with their breeding stock in the PRE materiale classes. The PRE Morphology-Functional Competition included Spanish horses ranging in age from yearling to adult, with special awards for American born PREs.

Narcan del Encanto, owned by the Juarez family, won Champion American Born Colt and the Champion American Born Mare award went to their horse Kalezee del Encanto.

Sharing the Passion

Now a top breeding facility with over 40 stallions, mares and foals, Rancho Lodazal was a distant dream for Jesus Juarez when he arrived in the United States as an eleven-year-old boy in 1996.

He had helped care for his father’s horses in his native Mexico, but was never offered the chance to ride them.

Only when he bought two racing Quarter Horses, together with his brothers, at age eighteen did this change. Eager to learn as much as possible, he worked in close contact with the horses’ trainer, and over the next five years he formed a strong bond with them. In his early twenties, Jesus married Denis, the human love of his life.

On a visit to Mexico that same year, he met his first Friesian and PRE horses. They were in training with his brother, and, as he puts it, “It was love at first sight.”

He was given the opportunity to ride Jefe, a horse originally bred in Guatemala by the very popular breeder Roberto Moll. He bonded instantly with the gray stallion, and the connection was so powerful that he resolved to find a way to bring him to the States. Jefe has been with the family ever since.

At the same time, Jesus was looking for his first Friesian, and acquired Gitana a couple of years later. He trained and rode the beautiful mare, who caught people’s eyes and brought a lot of attention to the ranch.

Shortly after this, he was able to purchase Valentino, his second Andalusian, who sired his first crops of foals.

At this point, he realized that he wanted to focus on the PRE horse and share the breed with other people he knew would also love it.

The Search for Perfect PRE Stock

Drawn to the impressive attributes of the PRE horse, Jesus began looking for a good foundation stallion and some mares. He traveled to the Féria del Caballo Español in California and was impressed by the high quality of competing horses.

An introduction to Rancho El Encanto in California led to the happy purchase of Farruco, a beautiful gray stallion from the Hierro del Bocado pedigree, known as one of the best and most original lines in the breed.

These horses are wonderfully versatile and rideable, with great brains. Jesus also bought three mares, all of whom still play important roles in the Lodazal breeding program. One of those is Kalezee, the Champion American Born Mare at Ibericon this year.

Farruco was Champion in the adult horse class and Reserve Champion of the Show. He is now standing at stud along with Mitzli del Encanto, who won the 5 year old class and was the overall Champion of the Show. In addition, Rancho Lodazal was given the award for Best Exhibitor and brought home the Best in Show Stallion and Best in Show Mare.

Why the Name ‘Rancho Lodazal’?

Lodazal means “muddy” in Spanish, unusual for a farm that breeds stunning horses!

Jesus tells the story. “Our ranch was founded and based in the low country South Carolina area, known by the locals as swampy areas. The very first property we owned here was a true definition of the South Carolina swamps. We worked hard to turn it into a beautiful place that was suitable for horses. Even though we have been on higher ground and at a nicer facility for the last few years, we felt the name was very original and part of us. So, we had to carry it and will continue to be Rancho Lodazal for generations to come.”

Not Just PRE’s

While much of his focus has been on PRE horses, Jesus has one Lusitano stallion. Judio RL is a smart and talented bay, whom he imported from Mexico and has bred to several of his PRE mares. He is pleased with the results and keen to work more on the cross.

Rancho Lodazal also breeds foals from half-PRE mares, and they are producing excellent stock. Jesus is “ultimately striving to create a functional horse that has the brains, the bone and the muscle mass to really be able to take on any discipline the rider decides to steer it in.”

This year he added a fresh gene pool from Spain to his program. He recently imported several fillies and colts, the progeny of top horses such as Duiker Mor, Quatrero, Sir Hacendado and Soriano MG IV.

Dressage: Team Work Makes the Dream Work

Now focused on producing horses more suited to dressage, Jesus and his team have taken on the challenge of competing in the dressage ring. It has been a lot of fun, hard work, and a steep learning curve for him, his team, and his horses!

Rider and trainer Edwin Benavidez had the great opportunity to receive help and coaching from Maggie McGuire, of Maggie McGuire Dressage. A tremendous trainer, Maggie worked with Edwin to achieve materiale scores in the 70s with several Rancho Lodazal’s 4 and 5 year olds in Wellington, Florida, last year. Such success would have been impossible without their combined hard work and dedication.

Jesus is pushing hard to get back into the dressage arena and see his horses rise to the top. It will be no easy achievement, but, as he says, “Team work makes the dream work.”

Rancho Lodazal currently has several trained and untrained horses for sale.

You can check them out at the farm’s website page, Rancholodazal.com or you can reach out directly to Jesus Juarez at (843) 247-5831.

Hilary Walker is an avid amateur dressage rider, and best-selling author of Christian fiction. You can either find her riding her homebred Welsh Thoroughbred Cross gelding, or online at HilaryWalkerBooks.com