The story of the young un-started Lipizann horses coming down from their summer on the mountain pastures to their winter home…
The spectacular coming down of the young Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School from the pastures into the valley.
Photos: Rene van Bakel/ASAblanca.com/Spanish Riding School
After having spent over three months at 1.500m above sea level in the pastures of the Stubalm and Brentlalm, on Saturday the September 14 the yearlings and two- to three-year-old Lipizzan stallions return to their stables in the valley.
Their return to the Lipizzan stud Piber is the biggest event of the region at the beginning of autumn. The exiting tour for the stallions and their grooms from the pastures down to the valley is over 15 km on a narrow mountain road.
The first station after about three hours downhill is at 12:30hs at the country inn “Gasthof Wiendl”. There the horses and the team of the Lipizzaner stud can finally refresh, and get prepared with lovely flower decorations for the show. The entering of the horses in the town of Maria Lankowitz is joyfully accompanied by a big crowd of spectators, who want to watch the famous sacral blessing of the young Lipizzaner in front of the chapel at approx.13:10hs.
After that the ceremonial procession leads through the town of Köflach at 14:00hs.
The arrival of the young stallions at the Lipizzan Stud is planned at 14:45hs.
In the arena the visitors see the horses from a closer view. The program, with insight about the way they grow up, and their further steps to maybe become one of the famous Lipizzans of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna ends at 16 hs.
More information: Anna Georgiades
Press Spanish Riding School Vienna Mail: anna.georgiades@srs.at
Tel: +43 664 8224835
If you ever make a video DVR of this special day, I would buy it! Probably will never see it in person. I think there would be a market for this and other videos about these priceless horses. My husband brought me back the 2 videos you have as souvenirs.
I agree with Analee.
I’d also love to see a series following a group of Lipizzaners from birth to final destiny, whatever that comes to be, along with their handlers, trainers and riders. I’m sure there is much of value I could learn along with just appreciating the beauty of these special horses and their unique history.
Perhaps also a series on the graduates of the Spanish Riding School who have gone on to influence others and improve riding standards all over the world. Our own great Franz Maringer springs immediately to mind.
What a great heritage. We are so lucky that the SRS still thrives in this modern world.