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Lipizzaner Stallions

Today the Oaks went to watch a performance of a special breed of horse that dates back to the days of the Austrian Empire some 200 plus years ago. These magnificent beast are called the Lipizzaner.

It is a unique presentation where the rider performs all the maneuvers of the Olympic level dressage, which to someone not familiar with equestrianisms (like us) is essentially a ballet like performance except the artist is more the four legged creature than the two legged riding it.

The rider in this case has to have a very close bond with the animal in guiding him (they only use stallions in this performance and no mares) to walk, trot or canter (varieties of pace and styles of strutting) across the show floor.


It is truly marvelous to watch this harmony choreographed to western classical music from European masters like Strauss, Mozart, Vivaldi et al. The horses actually perform in perfect synchronicity with the notes while the rider appears to magically float along for the ride, when in fact they are ever so slightly guiding the horse by shifting their body weight.

While the show gives a good deal of historic perspective on their pedigree and the efforts of General Patton in WWII in saving the special breed, to present day where viewers from all over the world can come and witness this performance it also allows the audience to appreciate what a smart animal this is.

The daughter has been riding ad hoc for the past few years and would like to continue learning more formally so this summer we have enrolled her to learn the basics of horse riding and caring (as much or more work than merely riding the creature).

We will soon find out how that goes and whether this has the potential to transform into a long term hobby.

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