History of the Lipizzan:
For almost 350 years the famous Spanish horses were bred in the tiny hamlet in the Karst from which they derive
their name: Lipizzaners from Lipizza. In 1918 the Austro-Hungarian nomarchy fell, the Lipizzaners were divided between them,
and the Austrain share was moved to a new home at Piber Austria. One still sees today in the baroque showplace of the Spanish
Riding School in Vienna the decendants of the best horses who lived at the Lipizza stud farm in the eighteenth century.
Today those same Lipizzan lines are raised here in the United States, and around the world.
Airs Above the Ground Steps of High School
The Levade
Passage
The Courbette
Piaffe
The Capriole
Piroutte
Levels of training:
Longeing: Mental relaxation, physical corrdination.
Forward Riding: Physical responsiveness (suppleness),
readiness to cooperate.
Collection: The horse is on the aids and goes forward rhythmically and with impulsion in all figures,
voltes, and transitions.
Work in Hand: Loosening and strengthening the tendons, muscles, and ligaments of the hindquarters
through increased assumption of body weight (bending the haunches).
High School: The horse absolutely supple in ordinary and unusual gaits, performing all figures
and voltes in perfect balance and with cadence.
