LUXE
>> audience might as well be attired in ball gowns or tuxedos with tails. This nostalgic riding hall was built by baroque architect Josef Emanuel Fischer von Erlach between 1729 and 1735.
During that era, dressage or ménage riding was on a par with such learned arts and mental activities as painting, music, dance, literature, architecture, philosophy, sculpture and designing beautiful gardens. Originally, only the Emperor, his court, favoured guests and foreign dignitaries were able to enjoy such shows. After World War I, the performances were opened to paying members of the public to maintain the school’s upkeep.
The horses are now bred at Piber Federal Stud farm in the Austrian state of Styria. Owing to strict, selective breeding over the last four centuries, these white horses are practically unique and have no rivals in showmanship and temperament. Aside from their imposing stature, they have fine hooves and excellent legs, and rarely have foot problems. They are known to be highly intelligent with a genuine fondness for humans. It is said that once, when the stables caught fire, the horses did not gallop away but simply trotted to the nearest humans. Most of all, Lipizzaners have long lives and often enjoy performing until their late 20s and early 30s. This is matched, in relative terms, by the riders.
Riders are selected after a stringent process. Most begin at age 16 and retire only at 60. They must be disciplined, dedicated and highly motivated. An adage goes: ‘It takes eight years to train a Lipizzaner and a lifetime to train a rider.’ Even the most experienced Oberbereiter (chief rider) would never dare declare he knows everything, as each horse is unique and has something new and different to teach its rider.
FROM TOP
IN THE BAROQUE ERA, DRESSAGE OR MÉNAGE RIDING WAS ON A PAR WITH PAINTING, MUSIC, DANCE, LITERATURE, ARCHITECTURE AND PHILOSOPHY
78 JETGALA
Before Lipizzaners are able to perform movements like the levade, they undergo campaign school (the second stage of training) to improve their flexibility
The Lipizzaner performs the capriole, one of the Airs Above the Ground movements taught at the haute école stage
Images by Peter Rigaud
A female rider performs the levade at a show by The Lipizzaner Stallions from the US
The Lipizzaner Stallions in formation for the School Quadrille performance
Images courtesy of Lipizzaner Stallions Inc
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