- Salerno -

   There was no fixed breeding program for the Salerno until the 1780s, when they began to be selectively bred at the Persano Stud in Italy. There was a very solid foundation base stock largely composed of a combination of Neapolitan, Spanish, and oriental blood. The breed was greatly promoted by King Charles III, King of Naples and then Spain, who was responsible for establishing the Persano Stud. At the stud, a combination of local stock and Lipizzaner was introduced and three influential stallions on the breed were Pluto, Conversano, and Napletano, who are considered the foundation sire.. At first the horses were known as Persano horses, and they developed in o a quality and useful riding horse of some weight, bearing similarities to its Spanish ancestors.

Breeding continued at Persano until 1864 when the stud closed, and the breeds numbers started to dwindle. It was not until the 1900s that there was a revival of interest and about this time the name was changed to Salerno. Thoroughbred, and possibly some Hackney blood, was introduced and the Morese Stud, which is close to the site of the original Persano Stud, became one of the most influential studs.

The infusions of Thoroughbred blood had the obvious effect of greatly refining and improving the Salerno, and also led to a general average increase in size. The Salerno became a first-class riding horse of quality and a popular cavalry mount. Now, sadly, it is quite rarely seen and the breed numbers have decreased. This is not a reflection of the breed's qualities, however, which are many - they have very good temperaments and make excellent sports horses, having a good natural athletic jump. In fact, tow of the most famous Salerno horses were probably Merano and Posillipo; the former was ridden to victory by Raimondo d'Inzeo at the 1956 World Showjumping Championships, and the latter won him the individual gold medal at the 1960 Olympics.

In appearance, they tend to have a light but well-set head, on a long, muscular neck. The back would be well-proportioned, the shoulder sloping, the quarters muscular, and the legs slender but strong. The most common coloring now is bay, black, or chestnut, and it stands between 16 and 17 hh.

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