Lipizzano Stalions

It's your decision to make.
Spanish Riding School
https://www.srs.at/en/

Rick gives the Spanish Riding School one triangle, meaning "worthwhile". I'm adding four nights in Vienna when my RSE tour ends there and have tickets for a show and a training session, and am planning to add a stable tour. I'm a big fan. Check out the website Liz posted, watch some youtube videos, and see what you think.

I saw the Lipizzan stallions in the US many years ago. We were in Vienna in October and went to a practice session. Different riders are doing different things but you could see some of the same moves they do in the show just not all at the same time. It was worth seeing to me. I have seen people say they are just riding around the arena not doing anything. And some of the horses are in the beginning stages of training and don't do much more. As they warm up some of the horses are put through parts of their routine. Also they lead the horses out of the arena and into their stalls and you can see them crossing into the stalls. I think you can take a tour of the stalls. The practice is not as expensive as a show and is a way to at least see them.
Robin

I have tickets for next week. Excellent performance tickets at €160 and schooling tickets for Dressage “C” seat for €27. I splurged on tickets because it’s the reason I want to go Vienna.
There’s a seating chart on the SRS website.

PS Rick’s not a horse person so his review will be different than mine.

I went to the practice in the fall of 2022. I love horses and am glad I went, but after about 20 minutes, I had seen everything I wanted to see. I got a bit antsy after that. Note that you cannot take pictures during the practice, only pictures of the empty hall!

The practice is boring as heck if you don’t know horses. Just walk past the stables for free and take pictures of their faces.

Thanks for all the replies.

I went to a rehearsal and loved it. if you are horse person ...go!!

It was a childhood dream of mine to see the white stallions of Vienna (all horsegirls know the book). I finally did in 2019 and it was totally worth it. Even my non-horsy kid enjoyed the rehearsal we saw. As another poster said, you can also walk near their stalls and see them poking their heads out.

Has anyone been to the ranch outside Graz where they are raised? Do tell

phred, the Piber Stud was part of my original plan this year but I didn't go. After visiting Lippica Stud last year, where I was disappointed, I concentrated on the performances and not the breeding. Also Piber sells some of the untrained babies (4 y/o) and I was afraid one would be the best trip souvenir. That would end my traveling days. After the cost of the horse, shipping to the US and years of training and board, I'd have to go back to work to support it and then be too old to ride.

During summer the horses take a vacation:
https://www.srs.at/en/about-us/lipizzaner-training-center-heldenberg/