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The Spanish School brought magnificent Lipizzaner Stallions of Vienna to six venues in the United States in the Fall of 2005. Presented in traditional simplicity, the Lipizzaner stallions are the true living embodiment of the art of dressage. Accompanied by classical music and knowledgeable commentary, the stallions are presented with dignity and love by their rider/trainers.
While the School does present a European tour about every 5 years, the United States tours are held only every 15 years or so. This was a golden opprotunity to see these tallented horses and riders in person.
During the show, the stallions perform all the movements of classical dressage as an art form and as instruction for the audience. Then, to illustrate some of the training methods, stallions are presented 'in-hand' and on long lines. Rehearsing the same movements seen under saddle, the riders are able to refine and constantly improve each step to perfection.
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Also demonstrated in hand are the amazing Airs Above the Ground. These are the pinnacle to which each rider and horse at the school are trained. After years of careful and dedicated training in the movements of dressage, a stallion or rider may show their readiness to move to these difficult exercises. Then, in the signature event of the show, the horses and riders perform the Airs while mounted. Using traditional saddles and no stirrups, the riders' cues are still invisible, their equitation flawless as they demonstrate the Levade, Capriole, Courbette. The simple presentation of these breathtaking exercises in their most pure form does not make them less spectacular. In a way, it makes them more so because there are no distractions. The viewer is free to see the preperation the horse makes, the cues given and the praise the horse recieves afterward.
Finally, as the audience catches their breath, the formal School Quadrille brings in all 10 riders in a traditional display of dressage on a grand scale. Again, the equitation is superb, the horses presented as living works of art. The quadrille is so much more impressive considering that all 10 horses and riders must act in unison, with perfect timing during this long dificult program. |
| There are no splashy costumes here: the riders wear their traditional brown coats, doeskin breeches and bicorn hats. These are the same coats they wear daily for performances at the school and training. The coats even have a special pocket built in for sugar cubes. The stallions are given this small treat for their efforts with a loving pat on the neck and the kind words that are a trainer's currency. They know that horses who are forced and unhappy cannot learn and perform at their best. |
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| During the performance, riders that are not preparing a horse or in the arena are watching the performance of the others. No doubt, in support of their fellow riders, but also to learn and instruct. They believe that riding and dressage in particular is an art that one strives to perfect over a lifetime. Chief Rider Johann Riegler asserted that even after 34 years at the School, he is still learning as a rider. With a wide smile, he adds that he has no plans to retire. To see someone who truly loves his life-long avocation and is so passionate about it is a rare treat. During our conversation, he noted with reverence that a past Director of the School was active and riding until he fell dead from his beloved stallion. |
| Although any rider from the Spanish School could have a spectacular career as a private trainer author or instructor (and some do), their dedication is amazing. On the tour, the most 'junior' of the riders has more than 17 years with the school. In contrast, the typical American stays with the same employer only 5 years. During his life's work at the school, sometimes beginning at age 15, a rider may fully train only 2 or 3 stallions. The riders and horses are paired carefully and usually remain together during their whole tenure with the School. Interestingly, as the culture in the U.S. tends toward starting and even showing horses at a young age, the stallions on the tour are considered some of the finest in the school and are in their late teens and early twenties. It takes many years to train a horse to this level. This is another reason their soundness and intelligence is so carefully reviewed before they are taken into training in Vienna. |
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During the School's visit to Atlanta, Georgia, I had the great honor of a meeting with Oberbereiter (Chief Rider) Johann Reigler and an opportunity to look behind the scenes at the stabling and warm up areas.
Oberbereiter (Chief Rider) Reigler commented on the logistics of the tour saying that these specially selected horses from the School were transported across the Atlantic in 2 specially fitted aircraft. In case of unthinkable disaster, they would not loose all the stallions and the priceless bloodlines they represent. |
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| Traveling with the horses are numerous riders, grooms and support staff, forming a sort of 'mini-school' during their brief visit. Special warm up, grooming and schooling areas are set up for the horses during their stay at each venue. The school even brings in it's own approved footing from a company in Florida. Herr Reigler commented that the footing in each venue has been excellent and is consistant footing is very important for the horses to feel comfortable for their performances. |
| When asked about the secret of keeping the horses sparkling white, he replied that there is one groom designated for every 3 horses and that the stalls are watched around the clock and are cleaned as soon as any 'activities' occur. This way, there are rarely any stains to deal with. There are wash facilities provided, but they are only used when necessary. |
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Discussing the selection procedure for the stallions in the School, Chief Rider Reigler said the stallions are evaluated at 4 or 5 years old. The best are then chosen to be sent to Vienna. This does not mean, however that they receive no training until this time. The stallions are started under saddle at 3 and worked gently in the basics of walk, trot and canter. They are evaluated for temperament, soundness and talent throughout the process. Of course, only the best are chosen for the school and no stallion is used for breeding unless he is proven worthy in this manner.
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When asked about the highlights of the tour, Reigler said the most emotional parts of the tour for him were in St Louis where they received a standing ovation before the intermission (after the Airs done in hand) and the performance in Washington DC. He remarked that the School had not been to Washington since the end of World War II.
Thanks
My deepest thanks and appreciation to Chris Hendley, Marketing & Media Manager of Gwinnett Center in Atlanta, Georgia for his generous hospitality, to Corinne Konrad, Artist Liaison and Tour Co-Coordinator for IMG entertainment, for arranging a special interview and most of all to Hans (Johann) Reigler for agreeing to meet with me for a few minutes during his busy schedule.
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| For more detailed information, refer to the SRS website. This fascinating site outlines history, traditions and breeding. |
In his 1976 book, The Art of Dressage, Alois Podhajasky, Director of the Spanish School quoted Xenophon's work on horsemenship:
"Never should you treat your horse in anger for there is something blind in anger which makes us commit actions that will be later regretted." And then there is the wonderful insight: Anything forced or misunderstood can never be beautiful. If a dancer were forced to dance by whips and spikes, he would be no more beautiful than a horse trained under similar conditions." |
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