Spectacular Spanish Horses in New Spain

Abstract

The essay suggests a two-fold approach to the role of horse-racing during the period of the Spanish transatlantic expansion. First, I will discuss the dominant values and practices in late medieval Spanish equestrianism in order to understand the conquistadors’ framework of perceiving and evaluating their own equestrianism. On the Iberian Peninsula, the prevalent public demonstration of equestrian prowess, agility, and speed did not take the form of competitive racing but of collective spectacular performances. One of the most prominent examples are the ‘juegos de cañas’. The Iberian cultural setting is important to understand how specific forms of equestrianism were introduced into the ‘New World’ and how they were transformed. In a second step, I will argue for a conceptual framework based on conquest and competition that integrates Spanish equestrianism, public spectacle, and conquistadorial motives. The Spanish equestrian games offer a special case in point: I would like to suggest that a dissecting look at the dominant elements and functional unities which constitute horse races (such as audience, area, or competition) but also other forms of competitive equestrianism could help broaden our understanding of horse racing culture in general.