AUSTRIA: Vienna's Lipizzaner Stallions

There is a prestigious riding school in Vienna called the Spanish Riding School.

It is here that the famous Vienna Lipizzaner Stallions, known for their striking white coat and elegant movements, train and perform.

These horses have performed to classical Viennese music for emperors and kings for hundreds of years. 

The Lipizzaner breed was developed in the 16th century by the Habsburg royal family. It was created by crossing Spanish, Arabian, and Berber horses to produce a horse that was both beautiful and athletic. Over the centuries, the breed was refined and perfected.

The Lipizzaner is known for its iconic white coat, which was chosen to be the best representation of the imperial house.

They are not born with the famous white coat, but turn that colour after six to nine years. Only a very few retain a dark coat. It is considered good luck to have a dark-coated Lipizzaner stallion in the stable.

The Vienna Lipizzaner Stallions are known for their intelligence and trainability and are considered to be one of the most intelligent horse breeds in the world.

The Vienna Lipizzaner Stallions are trained at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious riding schools in the world. 

Performances have been in one of Vienna’s most prominent Renaissance buildings for more than 450 years. (With exceptions during the war years.) The building is stunning. 

It takes years for horse and rider to achieve the movements of the Haute Ecole or High School. The stallions are trained in the classical riding style, which emphasizes precision, balance, and elegance. Movements require the highest level of training and resemble the grace and coordination of a ballerina.

The training process is rigorous and demanding, and the stallions are required to perform complex movements and exercises to demonstrate their skill and athleticism.

The horses perform the movements that they would naturally make in the pasture, various gaits, changes of steps, and jumps, but in a beautifully stylized form. Through the specific strengthening and training of muscles, the horses’ natural movements are developed into the perfect figures of the High School.

Stallions train for 12 weeks in the city, then get 12-week breaks at their country facilities, which includes "love breaks".

Applications for the prestigious riding school must be between the ages of 18 and 24, speak German and have good riding skills. I do not qualify on any level. 

Women were accepted as applicants in 2008, after 436 years of men-only riders. Riders typically train for 10 - 15 years before being fully qualified. Not only are the horses distinguished, but so are the riders. 

The Vienna Lipizzaner Stallions are considered to be a symbol of Austrian culture and heritage and are an important part of the country’s national identity.

NOTE: I watched their morning training exercises and had a tour of the stables. Pictures are not allowed during practices, performances or in the stables. I was heartbroken. 

Because, as we all know, if you don't have the photos you just weren't there!