Lipizzaners are considered to be the "Rolls Royce" of horse breeds. It is a very rare and very special breed of horse, with only around 3000 in all of Europe .

But their scarcity is the secondary reason for their uniqueness, for these are the "ballet" horses of the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna , Austria .

Originally bred for centuries in Europe to be cavalry mounts for nobility, more recently the emphasis has evolved into breeding expressly for High School Dressage (Haute École). Lipizzaners make the ultimate saddle and dressage horses, in an across-the-board range of disciplines, while also being extremely talented in driving.

In 1975, Siglavy Flora 1.75, the first Lipizzan stallion in Australia, arrived. Collectively, we now have approximately 40 ALR registered Lipizzaner horses (foals through to breeding animals) here in Australia to date, and the population is growing.

A wonderful new line was introduced to Australia in 2000, with the importation of the Purebred stallion, Maestro Favory Naussica. In 2006, another stallion was imported, Conversano Allegra V.

History

The Lipizzan breed was founded in 1580 by the Austrian Archduke Charles because of a shortage of pure Spanish horses in central Europe. Due to the demand for this type of horse as a cavalry mount, the Archduke decided that a replacement baroque horse was urgently needed.

Stallions and mares were imported to Austria from many parts of Europe . The resulting cross was similar to the Lipizzaner horse of today. Arabian blood, introduced into the breed in the last 200 years, has given the breed more lightness and refinement.

An earthquake and fire in the 1600's destroyed all the original stud book records. As a result, pedigrees today can only be traced as far back as the importation of a new mare line in 1714.

There are six original male lines in the world today. Four date from the 1700's. The first of the new stallion lines was the Royal Danish horse Pluto, born in 1765. A black stallion named Conversano, of the now extinct Italian breed, the Neapolitan, followed him. Next came the stallion Favory,a dun, of Kladruber breeding. The last line introduced during this century is the brown horse named Neapolitano from Northern Italy .

In the 1800's the last two original lines were introduced, the pure Arab, Siglavy and the half-Neapolitan and half-Spanish horse named Maestoso.

In Eastern Europe at this time two more male lines were introduced at the military-based studs, the stallions Tulipan and Incitato, making eight lines altogether. These last two lines are now equally recognised worldwide by the international register, the Lipizzan International Federation, as purebred Lipizzaners.
Description and Conformation of a Lipizzaner
 
Lipizzaners mature late, at about 8 years of age, and live to about 28 to 32 years. They are distinguished by their perfect, classic bodies, their gracious movements, willingness to learn, vivaciousness and good temper, and their resilience.

They are of medium height. The International standard of excellence dictates that a mare is 15 English hands in height (hh) and a stallion is 15.2 – 15.3 hh.

They are predominately grey in colour, with brown or bay occasionally occurring. Chestnuts and roans do appear in a few countries, with one Eastern European stud specializing in breeding chestnuts, but most enthusiasts do not desire this colour. Interesting to note; Coloured Lipizzaners are not used as breeding animals. This ensures the clear luminescent white coat.

The Spanish Riding School of Vienna traditionally retains a bay or brown coloured horse for performances. This is due to the ancient superstition that if one was not kept, the institution could fall on bad times and be forced to close its doors. So far over the centuries, this belief seems to have worked, as the school has escaped countless wars, bombings, earthquakes and, as recently as 1992, a fire at the Hofburg Palace where the horses are kept.

Standard of Excellence of the Lipizzaner

The head should appear of medium length, showing good expression and breeding. Ears should give the appearance of being shorter and broader, the eyes large, open and expressive. Head profile can vary from slightly aquiline, to gently Roman, with the old heavy Ram's heads and Convex heads no longer allowed by international breeding standards. Good width between the eyes should be noticeable.

The neck should be crested, but definitely not too heavy, either at the top, or too thick under the neck. It is placed high into the shoulders.
Shoulders should show good slope; back should be even length with the neck.
Hindquarters should be well rounded, but not too heavy.
Tail carried with a set.
The horse's body should give the impression of robustness and strength without heaviness.
The legs give an appearance of being slightly shorter to facilitate well-executed "airs above the ground" — levade, piaffe, and courbette — all of which were originally military movements. The cannon bones are short and strong.
Chest is strong, of medium width, and hoofs perfectly shaped and rounded.
Movement should be rhythmical and expressive, displaying good knee and hock action.
Overall the horse must show lightness, cadence, beautiful, soft, rounded collection and wonderful elasticity of all movements.
 

Disciplines of the Lipizzaner

Described as one of the world's finest dual-purpose riding and driving horses, the Lipizzaner is difficult to surpass at both the classical dressage movements and his ability as a competition driving horse.

As a ridden horse, the Lipizzaner is peerless. This breed has been showcased by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna , the oldest riding institution in the world. Its public performances of Haute École demonstrate the vigor, elegance, trainability, and brilliant performing ability that are unique to this breed.

It has been predicted that, in the future, advanced level and higher dressage horses will contain some Lipizzaner blood to give them added elasticity, collection and cadence.

In driving, Lipizzaners have been a favourite choice of drivers from many countries for years. They are successful at international driving competitions, including the world "Four In Hand," where they have won or placed on numerous occasions.

Lipizzaners are recommended for experienced riders or drivers, and can take such horsemen to the top of their respective equine sport.


Australian Lipizzaner Registry (ALR)

This organisation was founded in 1995 to facilitate the inclusion of the Lipizzaner breed in Australia into the International Lipizzaner Register. The ALR is the only society for Lipizzaners in Australia that is a member of/or recognised by The Lipizzan International Federation (LIF), the official Lipizzan registry. Each year Australia is regularly represented at the LIF meeting held in Europe .

Standards that the LIF has set for the breed are high, and include accreditation of all Purebred Lipizzaner horses for adult registration before they are entered into the International Stud Book and before they can breed.

Accreditors are of the highest International standing, with our very first inspection of the horses here in Australia being in 1999. The horses were accredited and passed by Dr. Oulehla, director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna , who described our Australian Lipizzans as being "of wonderful baroque type."

Members of the ALR have performed at all levels of competition, including breed and ridden classes at shows, and demonstration days for the breed. A number of horses in Australia have also exhibited their ability by going to "Prix St. George" level in dressage. One horse team has been runner up at the National 'four in hand driving' titles.

The Australian Lipizzaner Registry can be contacted via the Web Site: www.lipizzaneraustralia.org This site is full of wonderful pictures and information about the breed here in Australia .