“World Famous” Lipizzaner Stallions dance into the hearts of Nebraskans

By Tiffany Taylor,Veterinary Technology Student, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture

For forty-one years the “World Famous” Lipizzaner Stallions have toured the world, dancing to classical music in locations ranging from Australia to Europe to the Americas. The show returned to Nebraska in February, treating spectators to performances in Omaha, Lincoln, Columbus, and Grand Island.
These beautiful horses showcase the style of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. Although not affiliated with the Spanish Riding School itself, all of the stallions come from the Piber Stud Farm in Austria, the same farm where the Vienna school gets their horses.
Thirteen stallions travel on the road with a staff of twenty members, which includes riders, groomers, barn manager and tour manager.
This year’s show begins with an introduction of the Lipizzaner Stallions moving to the Pas de Deux, a demonstration of two stallions moving in precise mirror images that represent the horse’s natural movements.
Next, the basic movements of dressage are showcased. The presentation lets viewers understand and recognize the movements being performed. Following the dressage showcase is the demonstration of the Pas de Trois, an exercise involving three horses and riders moving around the arena with grace and beauty.
The most exciting part of the evening is perhaps the Airs Above Ground, a demonstration of the famous maneuvers that include the Levade, Courbette, Mezair and Capriole.
The Airs are tactics that used to be used in battle in order to protect the rider and horse. They show off the stallions’ power and elegance. The most exciting Airs is the Capriole: the horse jumps into the air and kicks its hind legs out before landing back on the ground. Another fascinating example of the Airs is the Courbette: the horse stands on its hind legs while jumping and keeping the hind legs together.
This year’s performance also includes The Pas de Quatre, with four horses and riders performing movements of precision while moving in harmony with one another, and the presentation of the Andalusian Stallion.
The finale is The Grande Quadrille, which consists of six horses performing to classical music while perfecting every movement which looks like dancing.
All of the riding looks flawless and done with such ease but it takes six to ten years of training for the stallions to get to this point.
Watching these horses do these maneuvers is beautiful and a thrill to see.
Sometimes the horses do not accomplish their maneuvers on their first try, but the rider always gives them another go at it, and without fail, the audience always cheers in amazement. It is not easy for horses to perform these maneuvers, and only the most fit and powerful stallions can do them.
To see these stallions and riders perform with grace as rider and horse become one is to see a presentation of the true art of riding.

Tags: dance, Lippizzaner Stallions, Nebraskans, riding, stallion, tour, World Famous

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