"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others." (African proverb)

Leonie Bühlmann

"I, Leonie Bühlmann, first discovered La Perla Stud in 2009 and instantly fell in love with these exceptional horses. Since 2010, I’ve been deeply involved with the stud farm. Initially as a rider, and soon after as the stud manager, I trained the young horses, worked with the breeding stallions, took on customer care, and began to introduce the stud to international markets. In 2013, we participated in Equitana in Germany for the first time, followed by many more trade fairs and events.

From an early age, I was captivated by horses and began my riding career like many horse-obsessed girls—taking riding lessons, working in the stables, and spending every free moment with these beloved four-legged friends. Until I was 24, I focused mainly on show jumping and eventing in Switzerland. During this time, I also benefited greatly from dressage seminars with Georg Wahl, former head rider of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, which had a lasting impact on me.

But my life wasn’t only about horses. In 2006, I moved to Madrid to study Spanish language and literature, graduating from the Complutense University in 2010. Towards the end of my studies, I discovered the La Perla stud farm, which had been founded by Alberto Herranz in 1999.
Even during my studies, I dedicated many hours a day to horses—working part-time as a rider, showing horses at competitions, and teaching lessons. I also spent a lot of time with my own horse, PRE Braveheart, and together, we competed in dressage and achieved the advanced Intermediaire level. Later, I also had great success with Boogie (Bogavante), a Lusitano bred at La Perla, competing in dressage shows and numerous fairs. He has always been a loyal and reliable partner to me.

Looking back, I can say my first impression of these wonderful Lusitanos from La Perla was spot on. People often tell me how much the horses bred at the La Perla stud farm have evolved since I took over in 2016. I can say with certainty that I am still the biggest fan of all La Perla Lusitanos, and I love each and every one of them dearly!"

Adam Radlinsky

Adam has been an integral and invaluable part of the stud for over 20 years. He is the heart and soul of the farm, always ready to help wherever needed.
He feeds the horses, cleans the stalls, brings food to the mares and young stallions in the pastures, and checks daily that everyone is happy and healthy. During the breeding season, he assists with the mares’ ultrasounds, as well as the insemination of both the stallions and mares. There’s almost nothing Adam can’t do! He repairs fences, fixes broken water pipes, and is always ready to lend a hand—whether it’s day or night.
Adam has a special way with the horses. He’s gentle, tactful, and full of empathy, yet he can be firm when necessary.

Adam's contributions are worth more than gold!

Lara Appelt

"From a young age, I felt an undeniable passion and connection to horses, quickly realizing that they were far more than just a hobby. At 14, I got my first horse, a five-year-old Quarter Horse mix. As a young girl with a young horse, I had so much to learn. I made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I was fortunate to grow from each one. My thirst for knowledge was already strong, as if something inside me kept reminding me that horses are what define me. I heeded this inner call and dove into studying classical riding principles, always striving to become a better rider for my horse.
Over the years, I took lessons from various trainers, delved into working equitation, and gained experience in cattle work.
In 2020, when my first horse passed away, my Lusitano "Jordão" entered my life, and I immediately fell in love with this intelligent, hardworking, and refined breed. We trained with Dorothee Baumann-Pellny, some students of Anja Beran, and with Marvin Vroomen, who eventually introduced me to La Perla after I completed my studies.

Since November 2023, I’ve been living here at La Perla, beginning with an internship—an exhausting but incredibly rewarding experience. Even now, I feel that same deep call within me, urging me to pursue what truly fulfills me. Following my heart, I decided to stay, and I’m excited for the years ahead. I am certain that I will continue to grow alongside the many incredible horses here!"

Katrin Riegel

"In my "first life", I studied tourism management and worked in hotels and destination management in East Brandenburg. In my free time, I have been working with my own and other horses and giving riding lessons for a long time.

In June 2018, I visited Yeguada La Perla for the first time and got to know one of the most beautiful - if not the most beautiful place for me. The magic on the mare pasture, the warm magical light on the plateau with the mountains in the background. The blooming lavender. The love that Leonie and her team put into every horse, the heart and soul that goes into rearing and training the pearls. The wonderful, open, friendly and honest character of the horses. Many things would have been different if I hadn't been there back then...

Two years later, my first pearl "Indiano" joined me in Germany and every year I was drawn to Spain several times on vacation. This was followed in 2023 by a four-month break as an intern at the stud farm - together with Indiano, of course. And after Indiano expressed the same opinion in an animal communication that I also hold "La Perla - that's the place to be", this only confirmed my plans.

I have been a permanent member of the La Perla team since March 2024 and am happy about it every day. In addition to working at the stud farm and with the horses, I also support Leonie with the website and social media."

Fernando González Pérez - Veterinarian

Fernando González Pérez has been the main veterinarian of the stud for over 15 years. He knows the horses very well and is our first contact person for everything concerning the health of our beloved four-legged friends.
For example, he makes the papers of the foals and puts them the obligatory microchip, he castrates the stallions, carries out the AKU's and is of course always on the spot when a horse is injured and by him professionally again sewn and healed. He is never wrong with his diagnoses and all horses and people at the stud appreciate and trust him.

In 1995, Fernando González Pérez successfully completed his studies in veterinary medicine at the Complutense University in Madrid. He also holds the Spanish certificate as a specialist in equine veterinary medicine. He is a member of the Association of Specialists in Equine Veterinary Medicine (AVEE) and in the illustrious College of Veterinary Surgeons of Madrid and director of his company CLIMOVEQ SL.

His special interest and devotion are sports medicine, diagnostic imaging and everything related to reproduction.

He himself has also pursued an athletic career in addition to medicine and holds an Olympic diploma. In 2000, he was a member of the Spanish judo team at the Sydney Olympics. To this day, in addition to his main veterinary profession, he runs a judo school outside of Madrid.

We are very happy to have such an experienced and absolutely capable veterinarian at our side at all times. He works with a lot of love, patience and skill and our horses are always in the very best hands with him.

Pau Ruiz Guinart - Farrier

Pau Ruiz Guinart has also been an integral part of La Perla for several years. He takes care of our horses' hooves with a lot of expertise and, above all, a lot of patience. Especially the young horses, which get their hooves done for the first time in their life, he treats with a lot of empathy. So they learn in a very short time that the farrier is a nice man who gives them a nice pedicure and they are relaxed and well-behaved. Since our horses have very good hooves, almost all of them are barefoot and only very few get irons. Pau has mastered his craft and is also constantly educating himself. We are very happy that he is part of the La Perla team and look forward to each of his regular visits.

Pau Ruiz Guinart, farrier and equine podiatrist, trained at the School of Farriers in Madrid and graduated in 2008/2009. Since then, he has been regularly training in national and international seminars from different prestigious farriers, podiatrists and veterinarians. He specialized in shoeing of sport horses, in pathological shoeing and cutting out the hooves of horses without irons (barehoof). From 2012 to 2018, he also worked as a lecturer in the Sierra Norte Farriery School.
In 2015, he additionally specialized in the technique of Balance F. In 2020, he obtained the qualification of "Certified Eurofarrier" (CEF) and is a member of the European Confederation of Farriers' Associations (EEFA).
His continuous training and expertise are always aimed at optimizing the welfare of horses.

Marianne Bühlmann

Last but not least, "Mama" Marianne has also been an important team member for several years. After her retirement, she moved from Switzerland to Spain and swapped her dental practice with the stud.
She helps with 1,000 little things every day. She drives to Segovia and picks up whatever we need. She helps keep everything running at the stud, for example, washes all the winter blankets and stores them over the summer, welcomes the interns and shows them around, patches holes when our breeches break, gets on the tractor and straightens the riding arena, and always cooks us the most delicious meals. The horses love and appreciate her just as much as all the people who work with us or come to visit!

The La Perla team includes many more wonderful people who support the stud. Many thanks to all of them!!!

First and foremost, all the hard-working interns who work and learn at the stud for a few months at a time. Thank you!
Horses and people benefit from the knowledge and work of Alberto García (contributor to the health of our horses), Diego Mas (osteopath), Cristina Perregaard (saddler), Elisa Bermejo (vet), Kaja Rodius (therapist) to name but a few.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone and also to all the other wonderful people who find their way to La Perla and contribute in one way or another to allow the stud to develop in this way!