About John Scott-Leith
I purchased my first horse in 1969. then in1970 started seriously learning to ride. I was taught by WO1 Eric Witts at the Royal Horse Artillery Barracks, St John's Wood. Then in 72 Haute Escole, taught by Lord Henry Loch in Portugal who introduced me to the Iberian horse.
In 1975 started improving my ability with Francisco Cancela D'Abreu ex chef de Equipo national Portuguese dressage team. At the same time I also had the honor to study at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, with Dr Guillermo Borba founder of the Portuguese school of Equestrian Art. And then with Arsenio Raposo Cordeiro, president of the Lusitano breeders association, who was then the top Lusitano breeder and author of Filo d'viento.
I also studied haute ecole under Lt Col Alain Bouchet at Saumur. In 1980 I had the honor to sponsor Rachel Bayliss at the equestrian olympics in Fontainbleau, who was on the British three day events team and gold medalist. Then specializing in breeding Iberian horses under the guidance of Manolo Rodriguez in Arcos de la Frontera. We both selectively breed and schooled Lusitano's and were fortunate to have owned and bred from Opus, Lidador, Palpite and Wembley, all notable Lusitano stallions.
I then had the privilege to become Master of Horses and technical director for the late Marchioness of Northampton, Baroness Henriette Bentinck at her stud farm and training establishment El Ermitano near Sevilla from 2002 to 2012, breeding and schooling Pure Bocado Cartujano's the foundation stock with bloodlines and traceable heritage dating back to Phillip II, who was responsible for starting the first Iberian stud book in 1561.
I am currently technical consultant to two leading Cartujano stud farms in Spain.
