Spanish riding school turns 450

AS masters of the Lipizzaners, the world’s most distinguished horse breed, the Spanish Riding School in Vienna celebrated its 450th anniversary with gala performances and a glittering summer ball last weekend.

First founded in 1565, the classical dressage institution has become globally renowned for its noble white stallions which, guided by straight-backed riders in tailcoats, canter and pirouette to the sound of music.

To mark the anniversary, two dozen Lipizzaners demonstrated their stylised jumps and other perfectly controlled movements last Friday and Saturday in front of the old imperial Hofburg Palace, in the heart of the Austrian capital.

Spain’s Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art shared the limelight and took part in the evening parades.

Austrian President Heinz Fischer, who attended last Thursday’s rehearsal performance, said he was “smitten” by the horses.

“I think there are several institutions in Austria, which mean everything to Austrians. Among them is the Spanish Riding School,” he said.

Friday’s spectacle was crowned by the so-called Fete Imperiale, the riding school’s traditional summer ball and a highlight on the social calendar of Vienna’s high society.

At least 10,000 visitors were expected to attend the anniversary celebrations, which also featured broodmares and their foals.

The Lipizzan lineage dates back to the 16th century, when it was developed exclusively by Habsburg monarchy. The breed is a cross between Spanish, Arabic and Berber horses. Estimates put the number of Lipizzaners worldwide at less than 3,000. – AFP

1 1 Going through its paces: A lipizzaner stallion performed during an earlier rehearsal for the anniversary show. – Reuters photo 2 Famous: Riders and their lipizzaner stallions perform during a rehearsal for the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, which...

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