The Ballet of the Lipizzaner Stallions

First bred roughly 2,000 years ago in the ancient land of Carthage (modern-day Tunisia), the world famous Lipizzaner Stallions are a blend of Arabian and Spanish horses.  Bred for nobles the powerful yet agile war horse became popular in Spain and Austria under Emperor Maximillian II during the royal House of Hapsburg around the mid-1500s.  And they are coming to Washington, DC to show off thier highly traned skills.

The horses were bred for either riding or as powerful carriage and wagon horses. Further selective breeding refinements in the 20th century, created the modern Lipizzaner stallions.

The horses escaped likely destruction from wars during the French Revolution, World War I and World War II. 

The most recent time the horses were at risk was during the spring of 1945, when the main breeding stock of horses in Czechoslovakia were in grave danger of being killed for meat as the starving Soviet army advanced.

A U.S. Army rescue called “Operation Cowboy,” recovered 375 Lipizzans plus 900 other horses which were transferred under General George Patton’s protection in Germany.

Today, Lipizzaner horse breeders are careful to protect the purity of the breed, keeping the numbers of foals low. The current estimate is roughly 3,000 Lipizzaners  around the globe.  When horses are offered for sale, prices can fetch upwards of $25,000, more for fully trained horses.

The all white Lipizzaner Stallions with their riders dressing in classic military attire perform a ballet on four hoofs, incorporating spectacular leaps, seemingly impossible maneuvers and refined balancing acts.  Their “Airs Above the Ground”, once used by soldiers in battle, were taught to protect horse and rider. 

They also perform all the maneuvers of the Grand Prix Olympic level dressage, as well as march, prance, weave and strut in synchronization to classical music.

It’s a great show for any horse lover and one that should delight the children.

The Lipizzaner Stallions
Patriot Center
4500 Patriot Circle
Fairfax, Virginia  22030 (map it)

Dates and Times – Saturday, November 28 and 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. with a second show on Saturday night at 7:30.

Tickets – Adults – $25.50 – $41.00 and are available online.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Vienna – Orange line, then a 10-minute cab ride. After performances, taxis are usually not waiting for passengers so make prior arrangements.

line, then a -block walk, or use the DC Circulator bus.

Parking – Parking is included in the ticket price.

Images – Flickr – Lipizzaners in a row, rider in blue