The University of Cádiz organises a summer course in Jerez on the animal welfare of the PRE horse in sport and show

Jerez de la Frontera is once again the setting for a first-class event in the horse world. From 21 to 23 September 2026, the Alcázar de Jerez (Salón de los Arcos, Alameda Vieja s/n) will host the university seminar "Animal Welfare of the Pura Raza Española Horse in Sport and Show: Veterinary and Legal Aspects", organised by the University Extension Service of the University of Cádiz as part of its Summer Courses programme.

The course, comprising 16 hours of in-person teaching spread over three morning sessions (from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm, and from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on the final day), takes an interdisciplinary look at the reality of the PRE in the fields of sport and show from two main perspectives: the veterinary and the legal.

Practical sessions at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

One of the highlights of the programme is the practical component, which will take place at the facilities of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (Avda. Duque de Abrantes, s/n). Participants will be able to assess in real time the stress and welfare of the horses taking part in the Royal School's show, applying advanced tools such as thermographic cameras, heart-rate monitoring, ethology and pain scales.

The programme also includes optional activities such as visits to the Yeguada del Bocado EXPASA and the Horse Breeding Unit — Military Stud Farm.

Content: law, veterinary science and PRE genomics

The legal module will review the new legal status of animals following the reforms of recent years, the animal welfare regulations affecting horses —including Law 7/2023—, civil liability in handling and transport, the consequences of breaching federation rules and the protection of animal welfare under criminal law.

The veterinary module will cover the PRE Breeding Programme, the genomics of the breed, the physiological basis of equine stress, welfare biomarkers and the integration of field data, using a practical methodology aimed at improving handling and training.

Leading speakers from the equestrian and academic worlds

The seminar features a first-rate line-up of speakers:

Veterinary science: Mercedes Valera Córdoba (Professor of Animal Production, University of Seville), Ester Bartolomé Medina (Senior Lecturer, University of Seville), María Ripollés Lobo (PhD from the University of Seville, UNIA lecturer and breeder at Yeguada Brezalejos) and Luis Feijóo Viñas (veterinary surgeon and head of the Veterinary Clinic of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art Foundation).

Law: Luis Javier Gutiérrez Jerez (Professor of Civil Law, University of Jaén) and José Luque Teruel (Magistrate-Judge).

Equestrian technical practice: Eduardo Cardo Díez (competition judge), Juan José Verdugo Camacho and Samuel López Candel (rider-instructors at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, the latter also Head of the Dressage Department).

The seminar is coordinated by Rafael Olvera Porcel, Managing Director of the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art, who holds a degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Córdoba and a PhD from the University of Seville.

Registration, fees and grants

Registration remains open until 21 September 2026 at 11:00 am. The course has 30 places and offers 15 full tuition grants for members of the UCA and UNIA university communities, as well as their graduates and first-degree relatives.

The standard fee is €73. A reduced fee is also available for students not belonging to UCA or UNIA, unemployed people, those aged over 65, members of large families, people with disabilities and residents of Jerez de la Frontera.

Full information, the complete programme and the registration link are available on the course's official website: celama.uca.es/2CVJ/D03/