Viva Iberica began in 1987 when Sue and Richard Lust began buying and selling Spanish and Portuguese tack and riding clothing and a few years later, in 1991, the first Viva Iberica tack shop was opened, in Bedfordshire, England, alongside the Purebred Spanish (and Lusitano) horse stud 'Yeguada Iberica'. Firstly, through contacts and friends in the 'Spanish' horse word around the globe there began a demand for the specialist items stocked and this grew into a mail order business in 1992. Then, in 2003, the shop, stud and mail order business was relocated to Tobarra, Spain, and the range of goods was expanded.

Even before the UK tack shop was opened Sue and Richard had been involved in the Spanish and Portuguese horse scene, but from 1987 began building up relationships with the best Iberian manufacturers and suppliers in the industry. One of Viva Iberica's suppliers is the long established company Zaldi, in Salamance, Spain and for more than 20 years they have sold Zaldi products, initially being Zaldi’s first UK stockist, and since 1992 a worldwide Zaldi distributor through the Viva Iberica webshop, now based in Spain.

Based on a long working relationship with Zaldi Viva Iberica has an exceptional arrangement where saddles are made to order, to customer’s specific requirements, usually within 5 working days from order. This efficient working relationship is most possibly unique between saddle manufacturer and supplier and combines the ultimate in customer choice with fast efficient delivery (free to the UK and most of Europe).

Both Sue and Richard became judges for Spanish Horse competitions and covered many shows in England and both have taken extensive training and specialist judging courses in Spain. Richard, introduced Doma Vaquera riding to the UK and founded the UK Doma Vaquera Association with the exclusive support of the Asociacion Nacional de Doma Vaquera (Spanish National Doma Vaquera Association) for which he is currently an international delegate.

While keeping in touch with the latest developments Viva Iberica are able to advise on traditional tack and costume as well as the latest in new product technology applied to 'traditional' designs. For example, as well as the traditional straw filled Vaquera saddles a new generation of models are also stocked made from the latest materials, traditional in appearence but lighter weight, with special 'flexible' trees, etc.

As an authority on correct traditional Spanish tack and clothing, Sue has written comprehensive articles on what is considered in Spain to be correct traditional Spanish riding costume and tack for Doma Classica, Doma Vaquera and the Feria etc. and these are used as a guide by National Associations for the Purebred Spanish Horse all over the world. So Viva Iberica not only offers an extensive range but sound and knowledgeable advice.

A comprehensive article advising what Spanish tack and riding clothing is considered correct for a variety of disciplines can be accessed from the webshop or the main site. Other articles include 'Training and Showing Spanish Horses' etc.

Riding Holidays in Spain . . . Equestrian Centre . . . Classical Riding (training & holidays) . . . Yeguada Iberica (PRE Stud)