The Lipizzans
Myth and Truth
Published on 10. June 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
120 pages
978-3-85033-913-1 (ISBN)
Description
THEY ARE THE oldest cultured horse breed in Europe. Their ancestry can be traced back to the 16th century, and their name comes from a small village in modern-day Slovenia: the Lipizzaners, whose first home was Lipica and are now bred in Piber, near the Styrian city of Graz, owe their grace and learning ability to the over 400-year-old, carefully cultivated and constantly refined knowledge of proper breeding and training.
Each year the finest Lipizzaner stallions are selected for the Spanish Riding School, the world-renowned institution where the classic art of horsemanship of the "haute école" has been practised for some 450 years. With their extraordinary performances in the famous Winter Riding School in Vienna's Hofburg palace, these noble horses enthral visitors from all over the globe.
This compact and beautifully illustrated book traces the history of the Lipizzaner breed, provides insights into their training, and describes the turmoil the "white stallions" faced during and after the Second World War as well as the outstanding position they occupy in today's equestrian circles.
Each year the finest Lipizzaner stallions are selected for the Spanish Riding School, the world-renowned institution where the classic art of horsemanship of the "haute école" has been practised for some 450 years. With their extraordinary performances in the famous Winter Riding School in Vienna's Hofburg palace, these noble horses enthral visitors from all over the globe.
This compact and beautifully illustrated book traces the history of the Lipizzaner breed, provides insights into their training, and describes the turmoil the "white stallions" faced during and after the Second World War as well as the outstanding position they occupy in today's equestrian circles.
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Persons
Barbara Sternthal has a background in theatre studies, and writes and translates books about people, travel, art, culture and cultural history and architecture. She lives in Vienna and spends as much time as possible in Italy.
In addition to running the splendid Hotel Astoria in Seefeld, Tyrol, Elisabeth Gürtler has also been General Director of Vienna's Spanish Riding School since December 2007. The businesswoman and mother of two adult children is an authority on horses and was herself active as a competitive rider until 1990: she was number two in Austria in dressage and in 1979 was a member of the national dressage team at the CHIO (Concours Hippique International Officiel) in Aachen.
In addition to running the splendid Hotel Astoria in Seefeld, Tyrol, Elisabeth Gürtler has also been General Director of Vienna's Spanish Riding School since December 2007. The businesswoman and mother of two adult children is an authority on horses and was herself active as a competitive rider until 1990: she was number two in Austria in dressage and in 1979 was a member of the national dressage team at the CHIO (Concours Hippique International Officiel) in Aachen.