Stud Owner/Manager, Deb Galletly (née Warren) says her deep passion for and committed involvement in Spanish horses began in 1984 with the purchase of the lovely, then 4 year old, partbred mare "Primavera Condessa" (by Rufian II).
It was not until 1991 that Alma Vista Stud was 'officially' created by Deb at Calliope in Central Queensland, Australia. By then, the Foundation Sire "Militario" (by Justiciero IV Imp) had already proven his worth by producing partbred progeny with outstanding temperaments and substantial bone from station bred mares.
In August 2004, Alma Vista Stud's operation was condensed and relocated to its current location at Eidsvold.
Since formation, the stud has consistently produced exceptional quality purebred and partbred Spanish horses with the emphasis always being on temperament, movement and correct P.R.E. breed morphology as set down in the Normativa of Spain.
We consider it a major achievement that P.R.E.s bred by Alma Vista Stud competed against and beat P.R.E.s imported from SPAIN and the USA at the Australian & New Zealand Inaugural FESCCR sanctioned shows, EQUIPRE, in March 2006.
Just some of the outstanding examples of proven performance partbreds, Alma Vista Stud has produced include "Sensato", "Sondai", "Alma Alamo", "Alma Kabarita", "Alma Chevron" and "Alma Aztec Dawn".
Names of other partbreds to watch for in the future include "Alma Niscalo", "Alma Picano", "Alma Lantica", "Alma Nirada", "Alma Pedro" and "Alma Duran".
As well as our P.R.E.s, we still keep a number of partbred mares and geldings on the property. Those not retired are used mainly for mustering cattle.
Our breeding plan is now focused solely on purebreds.
Extensive and comprehensive knowledge of Spanish horses and their breeding has come from over 20 years of observation, intensive research, trial breeding and even more years of 'hands on' experience with horses in general.
Numerous P.R.E. breed specific seminars have been attended in Australia, New Zealand and Spain. Particularly invaluable have been seminars by recognised authorities on the P.R.E. - Dn. Juan Llamas Perdigo, Dña. Mercedes Gonzales Cort and Dr. Dn. Luis Rodriguez Gomez.
Alma Vista Stud is proud that the efforts of committed breeding practice based on strict selection criteria and vision, were rewarded in October 2001 with Australia and New Zealand's first ever P.R.E. Revision, conducted by Spanish Officials of the Jefatura de Cría Caballar. Alma Vista Stud bred horses obtained impressive scores from the Studbook Officials, thus proving that persistence has its rewards. We believe Revision score sheets to be valuable breeding tools, as they confirm the strengths and weaknesses of each horse. Our horses' Revision 2001 score sheets are always available for viewing during stud visits.
Alma Vista Stud's philosophy is that in order to breed true P.R.E.s (renowned for centuries as excellent and intelligent riding horses), it is essential that all breeding stock are able to be ridden. Deb personally rides all mares and stallions for suitability prior to them becoming breeding stock. They must display calmness in all situations, be light in hand, be extremely comfortable in all paces and responsive to soft leg aids.
Although handled from birth, none of our horses are started under saddle before 4 years of age. We do not breed our mares before they are 4 years of age. Alma Vista horses are bred because of our passion for the P.R.E. breed, not as a commercial enterprise.
Since downsizing, Alma Vista Stud's purebred breeding nucleus today centres around our noble and cherished senior stallion, "Norfolk" and four females.
The stud's collection of purebreds also includes Deb's youngest daughter Biancia's charming purebred gelding "Alma Azano" whose dam is Biancia's beloved and much missed "Alma Milita".
All our breeding horses have impeccable and proven bloodlines, thus ensuring their ability to continue producing the correct type, temperament, movement and excellent bone for which horses of Alma Vista Stud are recognised.
Spanish Stud Book Registrations and pedigrees for all our P.R.E. horses, their Sires, Dams, siblings and ancestors can be viewed on the official FESCCR site.
As we do not breed our P.R.E.s for financial gain, we will only occasionally have stock for sale. Instead, we have initiated a "Breeding on Request" policy for discerning clients.
From 1984 until 1999, Deb was involved with the A.H.A.A. as a member, Qld. State Secretary, Qld. State President and a Federal Councillor.
A.C.P.R.E. Aust. Inc. was joined in 1998 because of a strong belief in the Revision process. Deb was a Director of A.C.P.R.E. Aust. Inc. from early 2000 until resigning in mid 2006. Alma Vista Stud remains a member of A.C.P.R.E. Aust. Inc. to facilitate the Revision process of our future horses.
