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The Salerno is a horse breed developed in Italy. Selective breeding began in the 1780s at the Persano Stud with the foundation stock mainly of Neapolitan, Spanish, and oriental blood. King Charles III, the King of Naples and Spain and the man who had established the stud, was a great promoter of the breed. Local stock was crossed with Lipizzaners, with three foundation sires being Lipizzaner: Pluto, Conversano, and Napoletano. The animals were first known as Persano horses, after the stud, and were quality riding horses with many similarities to the horses of its Spanish ancestry. Breeding continued until the stud’s close in 1864, at which time breed numbers began to decline. In the 1990s, interest was revived, and the breed name was changed to Salerno. Thoroughbred and possible Hackney blood was added at the Morese Stud, which was the most influential stud on the breed at that time. The Thoroughbred blood refined the breed and increased its overall size. It was an excellent riding horse and cavalry mount. Today, however, numbers have dwindled, and Salernos are rarely seen. The breed is excellent for use as a sport horse, with a good temperament and an athletic jump. Also with an amazing willingness to perform and please people. The breed includes two internationally recognized horses ridden by Raimondo d’Inzeo: Merano, winner of the 1956 World Showjumping Championships, and Posillipo, individual show jumping gold medallist in the 1960 Olympics. |
