New the forum, from Snohomish WA.
I am coming to the SRS on May 11th for the Sunday performance. This was a last minute arrangement as I am going to Copenhagen on business for a seminar. It is a challenge to try to go to Vienna around a business trip, when things tend to get confirmed on a relatively short notice, as the SRS and the flights get booked. But after thinking of going to 4 ecoles, but not able to do so, and then with the cancellation of the 2008 West Coast tour, I decided to try to go to Vienna at the first opportunity. I am in 
This is particularly meaningful at this time, as I am interested in owning a Baroque horse in the relatively near future, and I am now having the opportunity to ride Lipizzans regularly. I am discovering what may be the Lipizzan most appealing characteristic: their temperament! I have yet to meet one Lipizzan that I do not like. I think I am starting to understand what the SRS means by 'Noble Character'. Actually, I think I am getting 'hooked'.
I would appreciate any insights/comments about the Lipizzan temperament.
Andreas, congratulations for your promotion to chief rider!
(I had the privilege of meeting Andreas while auditing the 2006 clinic in Snohomish. I was very lucky to be there on the day when he rode several of the horses! I could not attend in 2007, but I am definitely planning on auditing again this year.)
Hi Patrick, the Lipizzaner is a very intelligent and nobel horse. The temprerament varies from one horse to the other, but in generall they have a nice temperament. Lipizzaner like to work and they aren't spooky. They like audience and applaus. Handling a lipizzaner isn't too complicated. Andreas
AntwortenLöschenYes, Andreas, that is a very good description of a
AntwortenLöschenlipizzaner. My guy is 19 and now goes well for me and
we work 5-6 days a week. His concentration is impressive!
The horse I rode today perfectly matced the way Andreas describes the Lipizzan. He is young and still fairly green (actually, more accurately he is still grey), but I don't remember riding a hors with such an incredible temperament (too bad he is not for sale). Very friendly and just totally willing to work with you, I had an absolute blast riding him. The owner told me that he is very representative of the Lipizzan temprament. I feel like I uncovered some type of hidden 'secret'! The other Lippizan I have been riding up to now is a very, very forward and sensitive mare, and unfortunately, she has been ridden a little too roughly by someone in the past, and now she is somewhat difficult to ride. However, she is very friendly also, just has a little 'baggage'. If she were not so friendly, I don't think I would be willing ride such a hot and difficult horse. But I actually really like her - she has some Arabian in her (she is from a Siglavy stallion). Well , I guess I just have to keep getting to know them until one of them 'adopts' me for good. I cannot wait to be in Vienna!
AntwortenLöschenFor me, the Lipizzaner horse is best in the world.... ;-) Their character is unique and incomparable. Such a nobleness and devotion to their rider, driver or attendant. So polite and willing to cooperate with men... Their temperament is sparkling, sensitive but serviceable. Horses to win a war with... Horses, which will bring you non stop from Vienna to Budapest. Horses to be crowned on...
AntwortenLöschenWhen I compare them with other baroque breeds, like their Spanish and Portuguese nephews, I do not perceive this kind of nobleness. Only horses from the oldest lines, like the Cartujano and Andrade-lines and some Alter-lines may have a comparable nobleness. Some Kladruber do have the same sort of kindness, but not that sparkling temperament.
Other baroque breeds, like Friesians, Knapstrupper, Frederiksborger, and some modern selected PRE's (Andalusians) do not have these noble characteristics (anymore?).
The background of this specialty in character and temperament of the Lipizzaner, is the fact, that the breed was formed during more than 4 centuries by men. Always in a relative small population, and always selected towards the breeding goal: a proud and cooperative working horse for the happy few: the high nobility of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
The development of the breed was always dominated by the former imperial court stud of Lippiza (1580-1915). After the 1st World War, the breed maintained to be developed in other large, professional led national studs. So only really horse-men with horse sense influenced the selection within the Lipizzaner breed. (and this is still so!) This is the benefit to keep those very special sparkling character, without going "over the edge", which make horses unworkable (like some "modern" dressage horses are, being a unpredictable mix of traditional European warmblood, Thoroughbred, Trakehner and Selle Francais)
Other (baroque) breeds are mostly maintained by private breeders, who sometimes did not have the opportunity, sense or know-how to keep these special character, which makes a horse so special to work with in daily practice.
Is the Lipizzaner the ideal horse for everybody then? NO, DEFINITELY NOT !! Please be aware, that there is a reverse to the Lipizzaner medal !
The Lipizzaner was (and is) bred and selected by and for horse people, not for people with horses.
The sparkling temparement can only be handled by those people who are willing to invest in their own capability to work with such a horse! The rider or driver has to consider the sensitivity and individual personality of every separate Lipizzaner. And treat him with respect. ...
Of course, this should be done toward every horse (or animal) but practice has learned, that negligence, insensitivity or disrespect of the special characteristics or even cruelty towards a Lipizzaner horse may turn into a complete disaster. And then the special sensitivity and sparkling character may turn against you. In those circumstances, the Lipizzaner always stays polite, but will take primary take care of his own, and lead his own life. (The strengh of survival was one of the characteristics, which was highly necessary in the original breeding purposes of the Lipizzaner breed !!) With all negative results in daily practice ....
The Lipizzaner is definitely not a horse for beginners. Or for people with a larger ego, than the proud Lipizzaner himself.
So please invest in your own horse sense and sensibility, in order to be able to work with that special Lipizzaner individual. It may take some time, but if it pays off... you will enter a different dimension in cooperation with a horse.
And also be aware of the fact that mares are even more sensitive to deal and work with, then most of the males. At the other hand the stallions are very easy to handle, again due to that cooperative and polite character.
Best regards,
Atjan
Atjan, your statements are ver exact. I have been trying to explain to others what is drawing me toward the Lipizzans. and you said it really well It is actually helping me to sort things out. I am foremost attracted by the artistry of (I hate to use this often misused word) classical equitation. I have been working the last few years with a USDF certified instructor who specializes in developping correct equitation (that can be hard to find), and I am totally with you as far as seeing the Lipizzan as a horse who will require the rider to rise to the occasion and commit himself to continue to work at mastering the necessary skills. That is what I am looking for. I feel like I still have a long way to go - but over the last couple years, as I have improved, I discovered that many 'horse problems' have gone away. I feel like I have to work hard to become worthy of such a noble horse. I just wish I would have come to this 'crossroad' earlier!
AntwortenLöschenThis picture tells more, than 1000 words can.....
AntwortenLöschenPatrick, Do not worry about having a long way to go. The journey towards the goal is more important than the goal itself. Ironically, reaching the goal is never the end of the journey! In a booklet on the Spanish Riding School I bought in Vienna a few years ago, there is an article written by First Chief Rider Klaus Krzisch. He says "Ours is an occupation in which you can get to be 200 and still not be able to ride." If a rider of his skill still thinks he has a lot to learn, there is hope for the rest of us who feel that way! Krzisch is not alone among the Riders who feel that way. In his book, Podhajsky wrote that it takes 2 lifetimes to become a good rider. I remember retired First Chief Rider Arthur Kottas saying to a clinic audience that he learns something from every horse he rides. In fact, I would bet money that you could ask any of the Riders or Chief Riders at the School whether or not they had perfected their riding and get a similar answer to those I mentioned here. I used to have a mare that I had ridden for over 20 years. At one point, I thought she had taught me all she could and that I had developed her to her full potential. That was pure arrogance! Soon after, I had those thoughts, she taught me something more. When we brought home Cordova (the Lipizzan mare whose name I use for my login name here), she passaged around the pasture in her excitement. The old mare looked at this and began to passage too! It was as if she were trying to show up the new horse. I had never taught her passage so there was certainly more that a "good" rider could have taught her.
AntwortenLöschenHi Patrick, Going to Vienna to see the SRS is something that will stay with you forever. Nothing prepares you for the beauty of the stallions performing in their majestic riding hall. I was at a performance in Vienna on 15th March, it was breathtakingly beautiful, artistic, graceful and absolutely emotional. I also wish I had gone to the Quatre Ecoles in Paris, as the snips on youtube have been incredible. All the best, Karen Mac, Manchester, England.
AntwortenLöschenWell, it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime, (hopefully I'll do it
AntwortenLöschenagain some day...), defining moment for a rider interested in classical
horsemanship. With the added bonus that Vienna is absolutely
breathtaking (I have seen many European cities, but Vienna is
definitely amoung the top!), and has a really unique athmosphere!
I had a seat in the seating section on the ground level at 'C'. Not a
bad place!
I guess this is now engrained in my memory forever. Just so close to
perfection. The SRS definitely sets the standard for the Art of
Classical Equitation!
Thanks to Andreas and Herwig - I am looking forward to their clinics in
the NW this summer!
BTW, Andreas's long-reining session was absolutely amazing!