La Donaira Celebrates Year of Success as Barrachina and Elvis Claim 2025 Spanish Young Horse Champion's Title

Sales and Training

Spanish rider Bernat Barrachina and María Culsán's Hanoverian gelding Elvis claimed victory in the Six-Year-Old Championship at the 2025 Spanish Young Horse Championships, held from 3–7 September 2025.

The prestigious national competition, hosted under the auspices of the Spanish Equestrian Federation at Castilla y León Equestrian Center, is the country’s leading dressage stage for young horses. This year’s edition brought together over 130 entries across the 4, 5, 6 and 7-year-old age categories, showcasing the future of Spanish dressage.

Icing on the Cake of Stellar Season

So far it has been a great year for Elvis; at the Spanish Masters he achieved 86.2%, under international judges such as Eva-Maria Vint-Warmington (Estonia) and Magnus Ringmark (Sweden) with judges particularly emphasising the horse’s elegance, balance and impressive gaits. Praise is also frequently given to Barrachina for his careful riding and correct training which also led to him winning at the CDI in Jardy and then culminating the year with the Spanish Championships title.

Prior to that, in 2024, Elvis made his international debut at the CDI-YH in Segovia, winning the 5-year-old class, and later finished 6th at the Spanish Championships.

This victory is not only a milestone for Barrachina but also reflects the training philosophy at La Donaira, the renowned Andalusian eco-estate where both Barrachina and Culsán are based. Known for its commitment to natural horsemanship, Lusitano breeding, and sustainable training methods, La Donaira has become a hub of excellence where horses are developed with respect and patience before stepping onto the sport stage.

The annual Spanish Championships for Young Dressage horses is the nation’s leading event for future dressage stars, attracting elite riders, breeders, and trainers.

Elvis

Elvis is a six-year-old gelding by Escolar out of Lady Locksley (by Londonderry). He is bred by veterinarian Dr. Jürgen Bornhorst in Ankum, Germany, and was reared at Hunnnesrück Breeding Stud, the young horse branch of Celle State Stud. Elvis sold at the Hanoverian auction as a 3-year old to a rider from Northern Germany where Barrachina and his partner María Culsán sourced the horse.

Bernat and Maria receive the gold medal on the
podium at the 2025 Spanish Young horse
Championships (Photo © Almeda Renes)

From the onset, the horse was recognised as a sweet-natured and sensitive horse, and Barrachina gave him very careful foundational training from the outset.

“This horse has always been incredibly affectionate and intelligent,” said Barrachina. “The key was giving him time, confidence, and the right environment to grow and now he is showing us what he is truly capable of and it has really paid off.”

Culsán and Barrachina’s careers and equestrian programme have been profiled previously on Eurodressage, highlighting their commitment to combining heritage, horsemanship, and high performance. Their shared vision continues to shape both the horses they train and the broader identity of La Donaira as a unique intersection of sport, breeding, and hospitality.

“This championship highlights what can be achieved when breeding, training, and philosophy are aligned,” said María Culsán. “It’s a proud moment not only for Bernat and this horse, but for La Donaira and the values we stand for.”

About La Donaira

Bernat and Elvis at La Donaira
(Photo © MCL Media)

Set in the rolling hills of Andalusia, La Donaira is a 1,700-acre eco-retreat, organic farm, and stud dedicated to Lusitano breeding and equestrian innovation. Alongside its luxury hotel and sustainability initiatives, La Donaira has become internationally recognised for its commitment to natural horsemanship and the development of sport horses through patience, respect, and care.

Discover La Donaira at www.ladonaira.com and on Instagram

-- press release by EMA Collective