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{{Short description|Horse breed noted for use in the Spanish Riding School in Vienna}}
{{Infobox Horse
{{Good article}}
|name= Lipizzan
{{Pp|small=yes}}
|status = DOM
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
|image=Lipizzaner 2.jpg
{{Infobox horse breed
|image_caption= A modern Lipizzan
| name = Lipizzan
|altname= Lipizzaner
| image = File:Lipizzaner Conversano Traviata.jpg
|country= Slovenia
| image_caption =
|group1= Lipizzaner Society of Great Britain
| altname = Lipizzaner, Karster
|group2=Lipizzan International Federation
| country = Developed by the ] from Arab, ], Spanish and Neapolitan stock.<ref name=Hofgestut>Das K.K. Hofgestüt zu Lippiza 1580–1880, Wien 1880</ref> Today associated with the nations of Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia.
|group3=Lipizzan Association of North America
| group1 = Verband der Lipizzanerzüchter in Österreich (Austria)
|std1= http://www.lipizzaner.co.uk/
| std1 = http://www.lipizzanerzuchtverband.at/Zuchtbuchordnung_15.1.2011.pdf
|std2= http://www.lif.eu.com/
| group2 = Lipizzan International Federation
|std3= http://www.lipizzan.org/
| std2 = http://www.lipizzan-online.com/main.asp?VID=1&kat1=85&kat2=603&kat3=&_=2
|features = Compact, muscular, generally associated with the ]
| group3 = Other nations
|}}
| std3 = http://www.lipizzan-online.com/main.asp?VID=1&Kat1=81&Kat2=518&Kat3=465
| group4 = United States Lipizzan Federation
| std4 = https://www.uslipizzan.org/contact
| group5 = Slovenian Lipizzaner Breeding Association
| std5 = https://www.lipicanci.si/en/
| features = Compact, muscular, mostly but not exclusively gray in color, popularly associated with the ].
}}


The '''Lipizzan''' or '''Lipizzaner''' ({{langx|hr|Lipicanac}}, {{langx|cs|Lipicán}}, {{langx|de|Lipizzaner}}, {{langx|hu|Lipicai}}, {{langx|it|Lipizzano}}, {{langx|sr|Lipicaner}}, {{langx|sl|Lipicanec}}) is a European ] of ] developed in the ] in the sixteenth century. It is of ] type, and is powerful, slow to mature and long-lived; the coat is usually ].
The '''Lipizzan''' or '''Lipizzaner'''<ref name="pronounce">Pronounced "Lip-ah-Zahn" (from French)

or "Lip-ah-Zah-ner" (from German).</ref> ({{lang-sl|lipicanec}}), is a ] of ] closely associated with the ] of ], ] where the finest representatives demonstrate the '']'' or "high school" movements of ], including the highly controlled, stylized jumps and other movements known as the "airs above the ground." The Lipizzan breed dates back to the 16th century, when it was developed with the support of the ]. The breed takes its name from one of the earliest stud farms established, located near the ] village of ] (spelled "Lipizza" in ]), in modern-day ].
The name of the breed derives from that of the village of ] ({{langx|it|Lipizza}}), which was part of the ] at the time the breed was developed, now in ], one of the earliest stud farms established; the ] there is still active. The breed has been endangered numerous times by warfare sweeping Europe, including during the ], ], and ]. The rescue of the Lipizzans during World War II by American troops was made famous by the ] movie '']''.

The Lipizzaner is closely associated with the ] of ], Austria, where the horses demonstrate the '']'' or "high school" movements of ], including the highly controlled, stylized jumps and other movements known as the "]". These horses are mostly bred at the ], near ], and are trained using traditional methods of ] that date back hundreds of years.

Eight ]s are recognized as the classic ] of the breed, all foaled in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. All modern Lipizzans trace their bloodlines to these eight stallions, and all breeding stallions have included in their name the name of the foundation sire of their bloodline. Also classic ] lines are known, with up to 35 recognized by various ]. The majority of horses are registered through the member organizations of the Lipizzan International Federation, which covers almost 11,000 horses in 19 countries and at 9 state studs in Europe. Most Lipizzans reside in Europe, with smaller numbers in the Americas, South Africa, and Australia.

Lipizzan horse breeding traditions are recognized by ] and inscribed on the ].

==Characteristics==

]
Most adult Lipizzans measure between {{hands|14.2|and|15.2}}.<ref name="LIPORG"/> However, horses bred to be closer to the original carriage-horse type are taller, approaching {{hands|16.1}}.<ref name=Ed111>Edwards, ''The Encyclopedia of the Horse'', p.111.</ref> Lipizzans have a long head, with a straight or slightly convex profile. The jaw is deep, the ears small, the eyes large and expressive, and the nostrils flared. They have a neck that is sturdy, yet arched and ] that are low, muscular, and broad. They are a ], with a wide, deep chest, broad ], and muscular shoulder. The tail is carried high and well set. The legs are well-muscled and strong, with broad joints and well-defined tendons. The feet tend to be small, but are tough.<ref name=Bong>Bongianni, ''Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies'', Entry 37.</ref>

Lipizzan horses tend to mature slowly. However, they live and are active longer than many other breeds, with horses performing the difficult exercises of the Spanish Riding School well into their 20s and living into their 30s.<ref name=Ed111/>

===Color===

]
Aside from the rare solid-colored horse (usually ] or ]), most Lipizzans are ]. Like all gray horses, they have black skin, dark eyes, and as adult horses, a white hair coat. Gray horses, including Lipizzans, are born with a pigmented coat—in Lipizzans, ]s are usually bay or black—and become lighter each year as the graying process takes place, with the process being complete between 6 and 10 years of age. Lipizzans are not actually true ] horses, but this is a common misconception.<ref name="LIPORG"/> A white horse is born white and has unpigmented skin.<ref name=UCD>{{cite web|url=http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/coatcolor.php|title=Introduction to Coat Color Genetics|work=Veterinary Genetics Laboratory|publisher= ] |access-date=2008-09-19}}</ref>

Until the eighteenth century, Lipizzans had other coat colors, including ], bay, ], black, ], and ].<ref name="LIPORG"/><!--source cited does not support "blue ] and ]--> However, gray is a ].<ref name=UCD/> Gray was the color preferred by the royal family, so the color was emphasized in breeding practices. Thus, in a small breed population when the color was ] as a desirable feature, it came to be the color of the overwhelming majority of Lipizzan horses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/lipizzan/index.htm |title=Lipizzaner |publisher=Oklahoma State University |work=Breeds of Livestock |access-date=2008-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924151156/http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/lipizzan/index.htm |archive-date=2008-09-24 }}</ref> However, it is a long-standing tradition for the Spanish Riding School to have at least one bay<!--source also says "or black"--> Lipizzan stallion in residence, and this tradition is continued through the present day.<ref>Swinney, ''Horse Breeds of the World'', p.52.</ref>


==History== ==History==
The ancestors of the Lipizzan can be traced to approximately A.D. 800.<ref name=Equiworld>{{cite web|url=http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/lipizzaner/index.htm|title=The Lipizzaner|accessdate=2008-09-17|author=|publisher=Equiworld|work=Equiworld Website}}</ref> The earliest predecessors of the Lipizzan originated in the 7th century when ]s were brought into Spain by the ]s and crossed on native Spanish stock. The result was the ] and other ] breeds.<ref name=Dent>Jankovich, ''They Rode Into Europe'', p. 77</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Andalusian|url=http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/andalusian/index.htm|work=Breeds of Livestock|publisher=Oklahoma State University|accessdate=2008-11-05}}</ref>


]]]
By the 16th century, when the ]s ruled both Spain and Austria, a powerful but agile horse was desired for both military uses and for use in the fashionable and rapidly-growing riding schools for the nobility of central Europe. Therefore, in 1562, the Habsburg Emperor ] brought the Spanish Andalusian horse to Austria and founded the court stud at Kladrub. In 1580, his brother, ], established a similar stud at Lipizza (now Lipica), located in modern-day Slovenia, from which the breed obtained its name.<ref name=Dent/><ref name="LIPORG">{{cite web|url=http://www.lipizzan.org/aboutlipizzans.html|title=Lipizzan Origins|accessdate=2008-09-17|author=|publisher=Lipizzan Association of North America|work=LANA Website}}</ref>
The ancestors of the Lipizzan can be traced to around 800 AD.<ref name=Equiworld>{{cite web|url=http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/lipizzaner/index.htm|title=The Lipizzaner|access-date=2008-09-17|publisher=Equiworld |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080430120418/http://www.equiworld.net/uk/horsecare/Breeds/lipizzaner/index.htm |archive-date = 2008-04-30}}</ref> The earliest predecessors of the Lipizzan originated in the seventh century when ]s were brought into Spain by the ] and crossed on native Spanish stock. The result was the ] and other ] breeds.<ref name=Dent>Jankovich, ''They Rode Into Europe'', p. 77</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Andalusian |url=http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/andalusian/index.htm |work=Breeds of Livestock |publisher=Oklahoma State University |access-date=2008-11-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410090106/http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/andalusian/index.htm |archive-date=2009-04-10 }}</ref>
] stud farm, ]]]

By the sixteenth century, when the ]s ruled both Spain and Austria, a powerful but agile horse was desired both for military uses and for use in the fashionable and rapidly growing riding schools for the nobility of central Europe. Therefore, in 1562, the Habsburg Emperor ] brought the Spanish Andalusian horse to Austria and founded the court stud at ]. In 1580, his brother, ], ruler of ], established a similar stud at Lipizza (now Lipica), located in modern-day Slovenia, from which the breed obtained its name.<ref name="LIPORG">{{cite web|url=http://www.lipizzan.org/aboutlipizzans.html|title=Lipizzan Origins|access-date=2008-09-17|publisher=Lipizzan Association of North America}}</ref><ref name=Dent/> When the stud farm was established, Lipizza was located within the municipal limits of ], an autonomous city under Habsburg sovereignty. The name of the village itself derives from the Slovene word ''lipa'', meaning "]."<ref>{{cite book|author=Snoj, Marko|year=2009 |title=Etimološki slovar slovenskih zemljepisnih imen|publisher=Modrijan and Založba ZRC|pages=234–235}}</ref>


Kladrub and Lipizza stock were bred to the native Karst (Kras) horses, and succeeding generations were crossed with the now-extinct ] breed from Italy and other ]s of Spanish descent obtained from Spain, Germany, Denmark. While breeding stock was exchanged between the two studs, Kladrub specialized in producing heavy carriage horses, while riding and light carriage horses came from the Lipizza stud.<ref name="LIPORG"/> Spanish, Barb, and Arabian stock were crossed at Lipizza, and succeeding generations were crossed with the now-extinct ] breed from Italy and other Baroque horses of Spanish descent obtained from Germany and Denmark.<ref name=Hofgestut>Das K.K. Hofgestüt zu Lippiza 1580–1880, Wien 1880</ref> While breeding stock was exchanged between the two studs, Kladrub specialized in producing heavy carriage horses, while riding and light carriage horses came from the Lipizza stud.<ref name="LIPORG"/>


Beginning in 1920, the ] stud, near Graz, Austria, became the main stud for the horses used in Vienna. Breeding became very selective, only allowing stallions that had proved themselves at the Riding School to stand at stud, and only breeding mares who had passed rigorous performance testing.<ref name="PIBER">{{cite web|url=http://www.piber.com/index.php?id=283|title=The Lipizzan Horses|accessdate=2008-09-17|author=|publisher=Piber Stud|work=Piber Stud Website}}</ref> Beginning in 1920, the ], near ], became the main stud for the horses used in Vienna. Breeding became very selective, allowing only stallions that had proved themselves at the Riding School to stand at stud, and breeding only mares that had passed rigorous performance testing.<ref name="PIBER">{{cite web|url=http://www.piber.com/index.php?id=283|title=The Lipizzan Horses|access-date=2008-09-17|publisher=Piber Stud|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928121149/http://www.piber.com/index.php?id=283|archive-date=2007-09-28}}</ref>


===Foundation horses=== ===Foundation horses===
Today, Lipizzans recognized by all registries worldwide trace to six classical ] ]s.<ref name="LIPORG"/> In order foaled, they are:
* Pluto: a gray ] stallion from the Royal Danish Stud, foaled in 1765
* Conversano: a black ] stallion, foaled in 1767
* Maestoso: a gray ] stallion, foaled in 1773
* Favory: a dun stallion from the Kladrub stud, foaled in 1779
* Neapolitano: a bay Neapolitan stallion from Polesina, foaled in 1790
* Siglavy: a gray ] stallion, originally from ], foaled in 1810<ref name=ClassicalDressage>{{cite web|url=http://www.classicaldressage.com/lipizzans.html|title=Lipizzans|accessdate=2008-09-19|publisher=Ritter Dressage|work=Classical Dressage}}</ref>


Today, eight ] lines for Lipizzans are recognized by various registries, which refer to them as "dynasties".<ref name=LIFStandards>{{cite web|url=http://www.lipizzan-online.com/main.asp?kat1=85&kat2=565&kat3=&vid=1|title=Breed Standards|access-date=2014-04-29|publisher=Lipizzan International Federation}}</ref> They are divided into two groups. Six trace to classical foundation ]s used in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the Lipizza stud, and two additional lines were not used at Lipizza, but were used by other studs within the historic boundaries of the Habsburg Empire.<ref name="LIPORG"/>
There are two additional stallion lines recognized in Croatia, Hungary, and other eastern European countries as well as in North America.<ref name="LIPORG"/> They are accepted as equal to the 6 classical lines by Lipizzan International Federation (LIF).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lif.eu.com/|title=Breed Standards|accessdate=2008-09-19|publisher=Lipizzan International Federation|work=LIF website}}</ref> These are:
* Tulipan: A line from the ]n stud farm of Terezovac, owned by Count Janković. Horses of this line are of Spanish Neapolitan descent, crossed with other Lipizzans during the 19th century, forming the Tulipan line around 1880.
*Incitato: A ] stallion foaled in Mezőhegyes in 1802. The Incitato line is derived from Spanish and Italian sources.<ref name=ClassicalDressage/>


The six "classical dynasties"<ref name=dynasties/> are:
There are several other stallion lines that have died out over the years, but were used in the early breeding of the horses.<ref>Dolenc, ''Lipizzaner'', p. 49</ref> In addition to the foundation stallions, there are 20 classic mare lines, including mares of varied color and descent. Fourteen of these lines still exist today.<ref>Dolenc, ''Lipizzaner'', p. 51</ref> However, some organizations today recognize up to 35 mare lines.<ref name="LIPORG"/>
* Pluto: a gray ] stallion from the Royal Danish Stud, foaled in 1765<ref name="LIPORG"/>
* Conversano: a black ] stallion, foaled in 1767<ref name="LIPORG"/>
* Maestoso: a gray stallion from the ] stud with a Spanish dam, foaled 1773, descendants today all trace via Maestoso X, foaled in Hungary in 1819<ref name=dynasties/>
* Favory: a dun stallion from the Kladrub stud, foaled in 1779<ref name="LIPORG"/>
* Neapolitano: a bay Neapolitan stallion from the Polesine, foaled in 1790<ref name="LIPORG"/>
* ]: a gray ] stallion, originally from ], foaled in 1810<ref name=ClassicalDressage>{{cite web|url=http://www.classicaldressage.com/lipizzans.html|title=Lipizzans|access-date=2008-09-19|publisher=Ritter Dressage|work=Classical Dressage|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119094125/http://www.classicaldressage.com/lipizzans.html|archive-date=2013-01-19}}</ref>


Two additional stallion lines are found in Croatia, Hungary, and other eastern European countries, as well as in North America.<ref name="LIPORG"/> They are accepted as equal to the six classical lines by the Lipizzan International Federation.<ref name=LIFStandards/> These are:
There are traditional naming patterns for both stallions and mares, required by Lipizzan ]. Stallions all have double names, with the first being the sire's lineage name and the second being the dam's name. Therefore, "Pluto Theodorosta" would be a stallion of the sire line tracing to the ] Pluto out of a ] named Theodorosta. The names of mares must be complementary to traditional Lipizzan line names and also have the requirement that they must end with the letter "a".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lipizzan.org/rules.html|title=Rules/Evaluations|accessdate=2008-09-17|publisher=Lipizzan Association of North America|work=LANA Website}}</ref>
* Tulipan: A ] stallion of Baroque type and Spanish pedigree foaled about 1800 from the ]n stud farm of ], owned by Count ].<ref name=dynasties>{{cite web|url=http://www.lipizzan-online.com/main.asp?kat1=64&kat2=540&kat3=&vid=1|title=Sire Lines|access-date=2014-04-29|publisher=Lipizzan International Federation}}</ref>
*Incitato: A stallion of Spanish lines foaled 1802, bred in ] by Count Bethlen, and sold to the ] stud farm ]<ref name=dynasties/>


Several other stallion lines have died out over the years, but were used in the early breeding of the horses.<ref>Dolenc, ''Lipizzaner'', p. 49</ref> In addition to the foundation stallion lines, there were 20 "classic" mare lines, 14 of which exist today.<ref>Dolenc, ''Lipizzaner'', p. 51</ref> However, up to 35 mare lines are recognized by various Lipizzan organizations.<ref name="LIPORG"/>
===The Spanish Riding School===

{{main|Spanish Riding School}}
Traditional naming patterns are used for both stallions and mares, required by Lipizzan ]. Stallions traditionally are given two names, with the first being the line of the sire and the second being the name of the dam. For example, "Maestoso Austria" is a horse sired by Maestoso Trompeta out of a ] named Austria. The horse's sire line traces to the foundation sire Maestoso. The names of mares are chosen to be "complementary to the traditional Lipizzan line names" and are required to end in the letter "a".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lipizzan.org/rules.html|title=Rules/Evaluations|access-date=2008-09-17|publisher=Lipizzan Association of North America}}</ref>
The world-famous Spanish Riding School uses highly trained Lipizzan stallions in public performances that demonstrate classical dressage movements and training.<ref name=Stallions>{{cite web|url=http://www.spanische-hofreitschule.com/index.php?id=435|title=Famous Schoolstallions|publisher=Spanish Riding School|work=Spanish Riding School website|accessdate=2008-09-19}}</ref> In 1572 the first Spanish Riding Hall was built, during the ], and is the oldest of its kind in the world.<ref>Podhajsky, ''The Complete Training of Horse and Rider'', p. 249</ref> The ], though located in Vienna, Austria, takes its name from the original Spanish heritage of its horses. In 1729 ] commissioned the building of the Winter Riding School in Vienna and in 1735, the building was completed that remains the home of the Spanish Riding School today.<ref name=History>{{cite web|url=http://www.spanische-hofreitschule.com/index.php?id=330|title=History SRS|accessdate=2008-09-17|publisher=Spanish Riding School|work=Spanish Riding School website}}</ref>

===Spanish Riding School===
{{Main|Spanish Riding School}}
]]]

The Spanish Riding School uses highly trained Lipizzan stallions in public performances that demonstrate classical dressage movements and training.<ref name=Stallions>{{cite web|url=http://www.srs.at/en/tradition/the-school-stallions/ |title=The Stallions |publisher=Spanish Riding School |access-date=2012-03-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329204711/http://www.srs.at/en/tradition/the-school-stallions/ |archive-date=2012-03-29 }}</ref> In 1572, the first Spanish ] was built, during the ], and is the oldest of its kind in the world.<ref>Podhajsky, ''The Complete Training of Horse and Rider'', p. 249</ref> The Spanish Riding School, though located in Vienna, Austria, takes its name from the original Spanish heritage of its horses. In 1729, ] commissioned the building of the Winter Riding School in Vienna and in 1735, the building was completed that remains the home of the Spanish Riding School today.<ref name=History>{{cite web|url=http://www.srs.at/en/tradition/the-spanish-riding-school/ |title=The Spanish Riding School |access-date=2012-03-16 |publisher=Spanish Riding School |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318004105/http://www.srs.at/en/tradition/the-spanish-riding-school/ |archive-date=2012-03-18 }}</ref>


===Wartime preservation=== ===Wartime preservation===
].]]
The Lipizzans endured several wartime relocations that prevented extinction of the breed. The first came in March 1797 during the ], when the horses were evacuated from Lipica. During the journey, 16 mares foaled. In November 1797, the horses returned to Lipica, but the stables were in ruins. They were rebuilt, but in 1805, the horses were evacuated again when ] invaded Austria. They remained away from the stud for two years, returning April 1, 1807. However, following the ] in 1809, the horses were evacuated three more times during the unsettled period in Austria, resulting in the loss of many horses and the destruction of the studbooks covering the years prior to 1700. The horses finally returned to Lipica for good in 1815, where they remained for the rest of the 19th century.<ref name=LIFHistory>{{cite web|url=http://www.lif.eu.com/|title=Lipizzan Horse History|publisher=Lipizzan International Federation|work=LIF Website|accessdate=2008-11-19}}</ref>


The Lipizzans endured several wartime relocations throughout their history, each of which saved the breed from extinction. The first was in March 1797 during the ], when the horses were evacuated from Lipica. During the journey, 16 mares gave birth to foals. In November 1797, the horses returned to Lipica, but the stables were in ruins. They were rebuilt, but in 1805, the horses were evacuated again when ] invaded Austria. They were being taken care of in ]. They remained away from the ] for two years, returning April 1, 1807, but then, following the ] in 1809, the horses were evacuated three more times during the unsettled period that followed, resulting in the loss of many horses and the destruction of the written ] that documented ] of horses prior to 1700. The horses finally returned to Lipica for good in 1815, where they remained for the rest of the nineteenth century.<ref name=LIFHistory>{{cite web|url=http://www.lif.eu.com/|title=Lipizzan Horse History|publisher=Lipizzan International Federation|access-date=2008-11-19|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710203644/http://www.lif.eu.com/|archive-date=2011-07-10}}</ref>
The first evacuation of the 20th century occurred in 1915 when the horses were evacuated from Lipica due to ] and placed at Laxenburg and Kladrub.<ref name="USLR">{{cite web|url= http://www.uslr.org/LipizzanBreedHistory.htm|title=Lipizzan Breed History |publisher=United States Lipizzan Registry|accessdate=2008-12-06}}</ref> Following the war, the ] was broken up, with Lipica becoming part of ]. Thus, the animals were divided up between several different studs in Austria, Italy, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslovia. The nation of Austria kept the stallions of the Spanish Riding School and some breeding stock.<ref name="USLR"/> By 1920, the Austrian breeding stock was consolidated at Piber.<ref name="PIBER2">{{cite web|url=http://www.piber.com/index.php?id=282|title=The Lipizzan Horses|accessdate=2008-09-17|author=|publisher=Piber Stud|work=Piber Stud Website}}</ref>


The first evacuation of the twentieth century occurred in 1915 when the horses were evacuated from Lipica due to World War I and placed at Laxenburg and Kladrub.<ref name="USLR">{{cite web|url= http://www.uslr.org/LipizzanBreedHistory.htm|title=Lipizzan Breed History |publisher=United States Lipizzan Registry|access-date=2008-12-06}}</ref> Following the war, the ] was broken up, with Lipica becoming part of Italy. Thus, the animals were divided between several different studs in the new postwar nations of Austria, Italy, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Yugoslavia. The nation of Austria kept the stallions of the Spanish Riding School and some ].<ref name="USLR"/> By 1920, the Austrian breeding stock was consolidated at Piber.<ref name="PIBER2">{{cite web|url=http://www.piber.com/en/tradition/history/|title=History|access-date=2011-12-08|publisher=Piber Stud|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929041358/http://www.piber.com/en/tradition/history/|archive-date=2011-09-29}}</ref>
During World War II, the high command of ] transferred most of Europe's Lipizzan breeding stock to ], Czechoslovakia.<ref name="USLR"/> The breeding stock was taken from Piber in 1942,<ref name="PIBER2"/> and additional mares and foals from other European nations arrived in 1943.<ref name="USLR"/> The stallions of the Spanish Riding School were evacuated to ], Austria from Vienna in January 1945, when bombing raids neared the city and the head of the Spanish Riding School, Colonel ], feared the horses were in danger of being destroyed.<ref name=SI/> By spring of 1945, the horses at Hostau were in danger from the advancing Soviet army, which may have slaughtered the animals for ] had it captured the facility.<ref name=SI>{{cite journal|title=Operation Cowboy |url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1007241/index.htm|author=Davis, Susan|date=October 16, 1995|journal=Sports Illustrated|accessdate=2008-12-08}}</ref>


During World War II, the high command of ] transferred most of Europe's Lipizzan breeding stock to ], Czechoslovakia.<ref name="USLR"/> The breeding stock was taken from Piber in 1942,<ref name="PIBER2"/> and additional mares and foals from other European nations arrived in 1943.<ref name="USLR"/> The stallions of the Spanish Riding School were evacuated to ], Austria, from Vienna in January 1945, when bombing raids neared the city and the head of the Spanish Riding School, Colonel ], feared the horses were in danger.<ref name=SI/> By spring of 1945, the horses at Hostau were threatened by the advancing Soviet army, which might have slaughtered the animals for ] had it captured the facility.<ref name=SI>{{cite magazine|title=Operation Cowboy|url=http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1007241/index.htm|author=Davis, Susan|date=October 16, 1995|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=2008-12-08|archive-date=2009-02-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211212753/http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1007241/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The rescue of the Lipizzans by the United States Army, made famous by the Disney movie '']'', occurred in two parts: The United States ] under the command of General ], was near St. Martins in the spring of 1945 and learned that the Lipizzan stallions were in the area.<ref name=EQ>{{cite journal|title=The 2005 Lipizzaner Tour of the Spanish Riding School|author=Sosby, Brian|journal=Equestrian|date=October 2005|accessdate=2008-11-24| url=http://www.usef.org/_staffIframes/pressbox/images/magazine/pdf/6dfc4245ac3b9df1210bce4ed7554fa8.pdf}}</ref> Patton himself was a horseman, and like Podhajsky, had competed in the ].<ref name=EQ/> On May 7, 1945, Podhajsky put on an exhibition of the Spanish Riding School stallions for Patton and Undersecretary of War ], and at its conclusion requested that Patton take the horses under his protection.<ref name="Patton Papers">Patton, ''The Patton Papers'', p. 697</ref>


The rescue of the Lipizzans by the United States Army, made famous by the Disney movie '']'', occurred in two parts: The ], under the command of General ], was near St. Martins in the spring of 1945 and learned that the Lipizzan stallions were in the area.<ref name=EQ>{{cite journal|title=The 2005 Lipizzaner Tour of the Spanish Riding School|author=Sosby, Brian|journal=Equestrian|date=October 2005|access-date=2008-11-24| url=http://www.usef.org/_staffIframes/pressbox/images/magazine/pdf/6dfc4245ac3b9df1210bce4ed7554fa8.pdf}}</ref><ref>Letts, Elizabeth. 2016. ''The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis.</ref> Patton himself was a horseman, and like Podhajsky, had competed in the ].<ref name=EQ/> On May 7, 1945, Podhajsky put on an exhibition of the Spanish Riding School stallions for Patton and Undersecretary of War ], and at its conclusion requested that Patton take the horses under his protection.<ref name="Patton Papers">Patton, ''The Patton Papers'', p. 697</ref>
Meanwhile, the Third Army's ], a ] unit under the command of Colonel ], had discovered the horses at Hostau, where there were also 400 Allied prisoners of war, and had occupied it on April 28, 1945. "Operation Cowboy," as the rescue was known, resulted in the recovery of 1,200 horses, including 375 Lipizzans,<ref name=SI/> Patton learned of the raid, and arranged for Podhajsky to fly to Hostau.<ref>Hirshson, ''General Patton'', p. 635</ref> On May 12, American soldiers began riding, trucking and herding the horses 35 miles across the border into ], Germany. <ref name=SI/>The Lipizzans were eventually settled in temporary quarters in ], until the breeding stock returned to Piber in 1952,<ref name="PIBER2"/> and the stallions returned to the Spanish Riding School in 1955.<ref name=Piber3">{{cite web|url=http://www.piber.com/index.php?id=330|title=The Lipizzan Horses|accessdate=2008-09-17|author=|publisher=Piber Stud|work=Piber Stud Website}}</ref> In 2005, the ] celebrated the 60th anniversary of Patton's rescue by touring the United States.<ref>{{cite journal| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_May_5/ai_n13672464|title=After 15 Year Absence Legendary Lipizzaner Stallions of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna Set Return for U.S. Tour|journal=Business Wire|date=2005-05-05|accessdate=2008-09-19}}</ref>


Meanwhile, the Third Army's ], a ] unit under the command of Colonel ], had discovered the horses at Hostau, where 400 Allied prisoners of war were also being kept, and had occupied it on April 28, 1945. "]", as the rescue was known, resulted in the recovery of 1,200 horses, including 375 Lipizzans.<ref name=SI/> Patton learned of the raid, and arranged for Podhajsky to fly to Hostau.<ref>Hirshson, ''General Patton'', p. 635</ref> On May 12, American soldiers began riding, trucking, and herding the horses 35 miles across the border into ], Germany.<ref name=SI/> The Lipizzans were eventually settled in temporary quarters in ], until the breeding stock returned to Piber in 1952,<ref name="PIBER2"/> and the stallions returned to the Spanish Riding School in 1955.<ref name="Piber3">{{cite web|url=http://www.srs.at/en/tradition/the-history/ |title=The History |access-date=2011-12-08 |publisher=Spanish Riding School |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105140136/http://www.srs.at/en/tradition/the-history/ |archive-date=2011-01-05 }}</ref> In 2005, the Spanish Riding School celebrated the 60th anniversary of Patton's rescue by touring the United States.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_May_5/ai_n13672464 |title=After 15 Year Absence Legendary Lipizzaner Stallions of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna Set Return for U.S. Tour |journal=Business Wire |date=2005-05-05 |access-date=2008-09-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211233017/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_May_5/ai_n13672464 |archive-date=2009-02-11 }}</ref>
===The modern breed===
], ]]]
The Lipizzan breed suffered a setback to its population when a viral epidemic hit the Piber Stud in 1983. Forty horses and eight percent of the expected foal crop were lost. Since then, the population at the stud has increased, with 100 mares at the stud as of 1994 and a foal crop of 56 born in 1993. In 1994, the pregnancy return increased from 27% to 82% as the result of a new ].<ref name=Ed129>Edwards, ''The Encyclopedia of the Horse'', p. 129</ref>
During the ], from 1991 to 1995, the horses at the ] ] in ] were taken by the Serbs to ], ]. The horses remained there until 2007,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://globus.jutarnji.hr/zivot/i-lipicance-ubijaju-zar-ne | language = hr | newspaper = ] | title = Pomor u zajednici bijelih griva – I Lipicance ubijaju, zar ne? | author = Boris Orešić | date = 2010-12-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101130727/http://globus.jutarnji.hr/zivot/i-lipicance-ubijaju-zar-ne|archive-date=2011-01-01}}</ref> when calls began to be made for them to be returned to their country of origin. In October 2007, 60 horses were returned to Croatia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lipizzan.org/pressreleases/bosnia_serbian_lipizzans.html|title=Croatian Lipizzaners Return Home|publisher=Lipizzan Association of North America|access-date=2014-04-29}}</ref>


===Modern breed===
Today, though found in many nations throughout Europe and North America, the breed is relatively rare, with only about 3,000 horses registered worldwide. The number of foals born each year is small, and breeders take extreme care to preserve the purity of the breed. Educational programs have been developed in order to promote the breed and foster adherence to traditional breeding objectives. The Lipizzan today competes successfully in ] and ], as well as retaining their classic position at the Spanish Riding School.<ref name="LIPORG"/>


The Lipizzan breed suffered a setback to its population when a viral epidemic hit the Piber Stud in 1983. Forty horses and 8% of the expected foal crop were lost. Since then, the population at the stud has increased. By 1994, 100 mares were at the stud farm and a foal crop of 56 was born in 1993. In 1994, the rate of successful pregnancy and birth of foals increased from 27 to 82%; the result of a new ].<ref name=Ed129>Edwards, ''The Encyclopedia of the Horse'', p. 129</ref> In 1996, a study funded by the ] ] assessed 586 Lipizzan horses from eight stud farms in Europe, with the goal of developing a "scientifically based description of the Lipizzan horse".<ref name=Kelly/> A study of the ] (mtDNA) was performed on 212 of the animals, and those studied were found to contain 37 of the 39 known mtDNA ]s known in modern horses, meaning that they show a high degree of ]. This had been expected, as it was known that the mare families of the Lipizzan included a large number of different breeds, including Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and other European breeds.<ref name=Kelly>{{cite journal|url=http://www.uslipizzan.org/files/ml-mtdna-genetics-article.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427000314/http://www.uslipizzan.org/files/ml-mtdna-genetics-article.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-04-27 |title=Mitochondrial DNA Genetics of Lipizzans |author1=Kelly, Jeff |author2=Kelly-Simmons, Lisa |name-list-style=amp |journal=USLF News |date=Winter 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=History of Lipizzan horse maternal lines as revealed by mtDNA analysis|journal=Genet. Sel. Evol.|volume=34|date=2002|pages=635–648|author1=Kavar, Tatjana |author2=Brem, Gottfried |author3=Habe, Franc |author4=Sölkner, Johann |author5=Dovč, Peter |pmc=2705438|pmid=12427390|doi=10.1051/gse:2002028|issue=5}}</ref>
Because of the status of Lipizzans as the only breed of horse developed in Slovenia, via the Lipica stud, Lipizzans are recognized in Slovenia as a national symbol. For example, a pair of Lipizzans is featured on the 20-cent ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://networkeurope.radio.cz/feature/slovenia-banks-on-the-euro|publisher=Network Europe|title=Slovenia Banks on the Euro|author=Manske, Michael|accessdate=2008-09-24}}</ref>


] stud farm, ]]]
==Characteristics==
The Lipizzan International Federation (LIF) is the international governing organization for the breed, composed of many national and private organizations representing the Lipizzan. The organizations work together under the banner of the LIF to promote the breed and maintain standards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lipizzan-online.com/main.asp?kat1=85&kat2=603&kat3=&vid=1|title=Gründung|language=de|publisher=Lipizzan International Federation|access-date=2014-04-26}}</ref> As of 2012, almost 11,000 Lipizzans were registered with the LIF; residing with private breeders in 19 countries and at nine ]s in Europe. The largest number are in Europe, with almost 9,000 registered horses, followed by the Americas, with just over 1,700, then Africa and Australia with around 100 horses each. The nine state studs that are part of the LIF represent almost one-quarter of the horses in Europe. ], in Romania, has the greatest number of horses, with 400, followed by Piber in Austria (360), Lipica in Slovenia (358), ] in Hungary (262), ] in Italy (230), ]-] in Croatia (220), and ] in Slovakia (200). The other two studs are smaller, with stud Vučijak in Bosnia near ] having 130 horses<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Maksimović |first=Dragan |date=11 December 2022 |title=Čiji su Lipicaneri? |url=https://www.dw.com/hr/%C4%8Diji-su-lipicaneri/a-64061113 |website=www.dw.com}}</ref> and ] in Serbia having just 30.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lipizzan-online.com/main.asp?kat1=64&kat2=543&kat3=&vid=1|title=Purebred Lipizzans Registered by Members of Lipizzan International Federation|date=October 2012|publisher=Lipizzan International Federation|access-date=2014-04-28|author=Manz, Christian G.M.}}</ref> Educational programs have been developed to promote the breed and foster adherence to traditional breeding objectives.<ref name="LIPORG"/>
Most Lipizzans measure between 15 and 16.1 ] ({{convert|60|to|65|in|cm}}).<ref name=Bong>Bongianni, ''Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies'', Entry 37</ref> The horses bred at the Piber Stud for the Spanish Riding School tend to be smaller, nearer the 15 hand mark, while horses bred in other locations that are closer to the original carriage-horse type are closer to the 16.1 hand mark.<ref name=Ed111>Edwards, ''The Encyclopedia of the Horse'', p. 111</ref> Lipizzans have a long head, with a straight or slightly convex profile. The jaw is rather pronounced, the ears small, the eyes large and expressive and the nostrils flared. They have a neck that is sturdy, yet arched and ] that are low, muscular and broad. The Lipizzan is a ]-type horse, with a wide, deep chest, broad croup and muscular shoulder. The tail is carried high and well set. The legs are well-muscled and strong, with broad joints and well-defined tendons. The feet tend to be small, but are tough.<ref name=Bong/>


Because of the status of Lipizzans as the only breed of horse developed in Slovenia, via the Lipica stud that is now located within its borders, Lipizzans are recognized in Slovenia as a national animal. For example, a pair of Lipizzans is featured on the 20-cent ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://networkeurope.radio.cz/feature/slovenia-banks-on-the-euro|publisher=Network Europe|title=Slovenia Banks on the Euro|author=Manske, Michael|access-date=2008-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503214638/http://networkeurope.radio.cz/feature/slovenia-banks-on-the-euro|archive-date=2008-05-03|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mounted regiments of ] police in Italy also employ the Lipizzan as one of their mounts.<ref></ref> In October 2008, during a visit to Slovenia, a Lipizzan at Lipica, named 085 Favory Canissa XXII, was given to ] of the United Kingdom. She decided to leave the animal in the care of the stud farm.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-10-22-2561594197_x.htm|title=Slovenia Gives Britain's Queen a Lipizzaner Horse|access-date=2011-12-08|last=Vukic |first=Snjezana | work = ] | agency= Associated Press |date=2008-10-22}}</ref>
Lipizzan horses tend to mature slowly. However, they live and are active longer than many other breeds, with horses performing the difficult exercises of the Spanish Riding School well into their 20s and living into their 30s.<ref name=Ed111/>


==== Heritage of humanity list ====
===Color===
]
Aside from the rare solid-colored horse (usually ] or ]), most Lipizzans are ]. Like all gray horses, they have black skin, dark eyes, and as adult horses, a white hair coat. Gray horses, including Lipizzans, are born dark&mdash;usually bay or black&mdash;and become lighter each year as the graying process takes place, with the process being complete at between 6 and 10 years of age. Contrary to popular belief, Lipizzans are not actually true ] horses.<ref name="LIPORG"/> A white horse is born white, has pink skin and usually has blue eyes.<ref name=UCD>{{cite web|url=http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/services/coatcolor.php|title=Introduction to Coat Color Genetics|work=Veterinary Genetics Laboratory|publisher=University of California - Davis|accessdate=2008-09-19}}</ref>


On the initiative of Slovenian Ministry of Culture, the tradition of breeding and maintaining a purebred Lipizzaner is recognized by ] and inscribed on the ] as ''Lipizzan horse breeding traditions'' since 2022.<ref name="ich.unesco.org">{{cite web |title=UNESCO - Lipizzan horse breeding traditions |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/lipizzan-horse-breeding-traditions-01687 |website=ich.unesco.org |access-date=4 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Inscriptions include state parties ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and Slovenia.<ref name="unesco.at">{{cite web |last1=UNESCO-Commission |first1=Austrian |title=Knowledge concerning the breeding of Lipizzan horses |url=https://www.unesco.at/en/culture/intangible-cultural-heritage/national-inventory/news-1/article/knowledge-concerning-the-breeding-of-lipizzan-horses |website=Austrian UNESCO-Commission |access-date=4 November 2023 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="euronews">{{cite web |title=Hold your horses! Lipizzan breed given UN protected heritage status |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2022/11/29/hold-your-horses-lipizzan-breed-could-join-un-protected-heritage-list |website=euronews |language=en |date=29 November 2022}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
Until the 18th century, Lipizzans had other coat colors, including ], bay, ], black, ] and ].<ref name="LIPORG"/> However, gray is a ].<ref name=UCD/> Gray was the color preferred by the royal family, and so the color was emphasized in breeding practices. Thus, in a small breed population when the color was ] as a desirable feature, it came to be the color of the overwhelming majority of Lipizzan horses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/horses/lipizzan/index.htm|title=Lipizzaner|publisher=Oklahoma State University|work=Breeds of Livestock|accessdate=2008-09-19}}</ref> However, it is a long-standing tradition for the Spanish Riding School to have at least one bay or black Lipizzan in residence, and this tradition is continued through the present day.<ref>Swinney, ''Horse Breeds of the World'', p. 52</ref>


==Training== ==Training and uses==
]
The traditional training methods for Lipizzans were developed at the ] and are based on the principles of ], which is in turn based on the writings of ], a Greek commander whose works were rediscovered in the 16th century. His thoughts on horses' mental attitude and psyche are still considered standards today. Other writers and equestrians who strongly influenced the training methods in place today at the Spanish Riding School include ], the founder of the first riding academy in Napals who lived during the 16th century and ] and ], two Frenchmen from the 17th and 18th centuries. The fundamentals taught to the Lipizzan stallions at the Spanish Riding School were passed down via an ]until ] Franz Holbein and Johann Meixner, Senior Rider at the School, published the initial guidelines for the training of horse and rider at the School in 1898. ], whose works, written in the mid-20th century, serve as textbooks for many dressage riders today, was another significant influence.<ref name=History/><ref name=ClasEq>{{cite web|url=http://www.spanische-hofreitschule.com/index.php?id=329|title=Classical Equitation|publisher=Spanish Riding School|accessdate=2009-01-07}}</ref> The principles taught at the Spanish Riding School are based on practices taught to ] riders to prepare their horses for warfare.<ref>Podhajsky, ''The Complete Training of Horse and Rider'', p. 24</ref>


]
Young stallions come to the Spanish Riding School for training when they are four years old. Full training takes an average of six years for each horse, and a horse is considered trained when they have mastered the "School Quadrille".<ref name=Training>{{cite web|url=http://www.spanische-hofreitschule.com/index.php?id=323|title=The Training Programme|accessdate=2008-09-17|author=|publisher=Spanish Riding School|work=Spanish Riding School Website}}</ref> There are three fundamental skill sets taught to the stallions, which are:
The traditional ] methods for Lipizzans were developed at the Spanish Riding School and are based on the principles of classical dressage, which in turn traces to the ] writer ], whose works were rediscovered in the sixteenth century.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/xenophon-forefather-dressage|title=Xenophon, Forefather Of Dressage|author=Gibbon, Abby|date=September 29, 2011|publisher=Chronicle of the Horse|access-date=2014-04-22}}</ref> His thoughts on development of horses' mental attitude and psyche are still considered applicable today. Other writers who strongly influenced the training methods of the Spanish Riding School include ], the founder of the first riding academy in Naples, who lived during the sixteenth century, and ] and ], two Frenchmen from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The methods for training the Lipizzan stallions at the Spanish Riding School were passed down via an ] until Field Marshal Franz Holbein and Johann Meixner, Senior Rider at the School, published the initial guidelines for the training of horse and rider at the school in 1898. In the mid-twentieth century, ] wrote a number of works that serve as textbooks for many dressage riders today.<ref name=History/><ref name=ClasEq>{{cite web|url=http://www.spanische-hofreitschule.com/index.php?id=329|title=Classical Equitation|publisher=Spanish Riding School|access-date=2009-01-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522133309/http://www.spanische-hofreitschule.com/index.php?id=329|archive-date=2006-05-22}}</ref>


The principles taught at the Spanish Riding School are based on practices taught to ] riders to prepare their horses for warfare.<ref>Podhajsky, ''The Complete Training of Horse and Rider'', p. 24</ref> Young stallions come to the Spanish Riding School for training when they are four years old. Full training takes an average of six years for each horse, and schooling is considered complete when they have mastered the skills required to perform the "School Quadrille".<ref name=Stallions/> There are three progressively more difficult skill sets taught to the stallions, which are:
* Forward riding, also called ''Straight riding'' or the ''Remontenschule'' - The first year of training, where a young horse is taught to be saddled and bridled, started on the ], and then ridden in an arena on straight lines, to teach correct responses to the ] while mounted. The main goals during this time are to develop free forward movement, riding in as natural a position as possible.
* Forward riding, also called straight riding or the ''Remontenschule'', is the name given to the skills taught in the first year of training, where a young horse learns to be ]d and ]d, learns basic commands on a ], and then is taught to be ridden, mostly in an arena in simple straight lines and turns, to teach correct responses to the ] while mounted. The main goal during this time is to develop free forward movement in as natural a position as possible.<ref name=Stallions/>
* Campaign school, ''Campagneschule'' or ''Campagne'', which teaches ] and balance through all ], turns and maneuvers. The horse learns to shorten and lengthen his gait and perform ]s, and is introduced to the ]. This is the longest training phase of the three.
* Campaign school, ''Campagneschule'' or ''Campagne'', is where the horse learns ] and balance through all ], turns, and maneuvers. The horse learns to shorten and lengthen his stride and perform ]s to the side, and is introduced to the more complex ]. This is the longest training phase and may take several years.<ref name=Stallions/>
* High-school dressage, the '']'' or ''Hohe Schule'', which includes riding the horse in a more upright position with increased angling of the hindquarters, as well as increased regularity, skill and finesse in all natural gaits as well as dressage maneuvers which may include the "Airs above the ground." (''see below''). In this period, the horse learns the most difficult movements such as the ], ], ], ], ], and ]. This level emphasizes performance in a methodical manner and a high degree of perfection.<ref name=Training/><ref>Podhajsky, ''The Complete Training of Horse and Rider'', pp. 25-26</ref>
* High-school dressage, the '']'' or ''Hohe Schule'', includes riding the horse with greater collection with increased use of the hindquarters, developing increased regularity, skill, and finesse in all natural gaits. In this period, the horse learns the most advanced movements such as the ], ], ], ], '']'', and '']''. This is also when the horse may be taught the "]." This level emphasizes performance with a high degree of perfection.<ref name=Stallions/><ref>Podhajsky, ''The Complete Training of Horse and Rider'', pp. 25–26</ref>
Although the Piber Stud trains mares for ] and ],<ref name=Ed129/> the Spanish Riding School exclusively uses stallions in its performances.<ref name=Stallions/> Worldwide, the Lipizzan today competes in ] and ], as well as retaining their classic position at the Spanish Riding School.<ref name="LIPORG"/>


=="Airs above the ground"==
Although the Piber Stud trains mares for driving and under saddle,<ref name=Ed129/> the Spanish Riding School exclusively uses stallions in its performances.<ref name=Stallions/>
{{See also|Dressage#"Airs" above the ground}}
] from Johannesburg]]


The "airs above the ground" are the difficult "high school" dressage movements made famous by the Lipizzans.<ref>Podhajsky, ''The Complete Training of Horse and Rider'', p. 268</ref> The finished movements include:
==The "Airs"==
* The levade is a position wherein the horse raises up both front legs, standing at a 30° angle entirely on its hind legs in a controlled form that requires a great deal of hindquarter strength. A less difficult but related movement is the pesade, where the horse rises up to a 45° angle.
]
* The courbette is a movement where the horse balances on its hind legs and then essentially "hops", jumping with the front legs off the ground and hind legs together.
{{See also|Dressage#Airs above the ground}}
* The capriole is a jump in place where the stallion leaps into the air, tucking his forelegs under himself, and kicks out with his hind legs at the top of the jump.
The "airs above the ground" or exercises above the ground are the difficult "high school" dressage movements made famous by the Lipizzans.<ref>Podhajsky, ''The Complete Training of Horse and Rider'', p. 268</ref> They include:
Other movements include:
* The levade: a position wherein the horse raises up both front legs, standing at a 30 degree angle, entirely on its hind legs in a controlled form that requires a great deal of hindquarter strength. A less difficult but related movement is the pesade, where the horse stands at a 45 degree angle.
* <!--Only training movements, not used in public performance-->The croupade and ballotade are predecessors to the capriole. In the croupade, the horse jumps with both front and hind legs remaining tucked under the body and he does not kick out. In the ballotade, the horse jumps and untucks his hind legs slightly, he does not kick out, but the soles of the hind feet are visible if viewed from the rear.
* The courbette: a movement where the horse balances on its hind legs before jumping, keeping the forelegs off the ground and hind legs together as it essentially "hops."
* The mezair is a series of successive levades in which the horse lowers its forefeet to the ground before rising again on hindquarters, achieving forward motion. This movement is no longer used at the Spanish Riding School.<ref>Podhajsky, ''The Complete Training of Horse and Rider'', pp. 269–274</ref>
* The capriole: a jump in place where the stallion leaps into the air, tucking his forelegs under himself, and kicking out with his hind legs at the height of elevation.
* The croupade and ballotade: predecessors to the capriole. In the croupade, both fore and hind legs are tucked under the body at the height of elevation. In the ballotade, the horse does not kick out, but the shoes of the hind feet are visible if viewed from the rear
* The mezair: A series of successive levades in which the horse lowers its forefeet to the ground before rising again on hindquarters, achieving forward motion. This movement is no longer used at the Spanish Riding School.<ref>Podhajsky, ''The Complete Training of Horse and Rider'', pp. 269-274</ref>


==Popular culture== ==In popular culture==
Lipizzans have starred or played supporting roles in many movies, TV shows and books.


Lipizzans have starred or played supporting roles in many movies, TV shows, books, and other media.
The 1940 film ''Florian'' starred two Lipizzan stallions, and was based on a 1934 novel written by ]. The wife of the producer owned the only Lipizzans in the US at the time that the movie was made.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lipizzan.org/merchandisepages/florianvideo.html|title=Florian|accessdate=2008-09-17|publisher=Lipizzan Association of North America|work=LANA Website}}</ref> The World War II rescue of the Lipizzan stallions is depicted in the 1963 ] movie '']''. The movie was the only live-action, relatively realistic film set against a World War II backdrop that Disney has ever produced.<ref>Brode, ''From Walt to Woodstock'', p. 169</ref> In the film '']'', a discussion between the two protagonists over whether Lipizzans came from Spain or Portugal is used to represent the film's suppressed racial conflict and the dividing of the world between the two main powers during the ].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.cinema-scope.com/cs29/feat_peransonandhuber_scott.html|title=World Out of Order: Tony Scott’s Vertigo|author=Huber, Christoph and Mark Peranson|accessdate=2008-09-18|journal=Cinema Scope}}</ref>


The 1940 film '']'' stars two Lipizzan stallions. It was based on a 1934 novel by ]. The wife of the film's producer owned the only Lipizzans in the US at the time the movie was made.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.lipizzan.org/merchandisepages/florianvideo.html|title=Florian|access-date=2008-09-17|publisher=Lipizzan Association of North America}}</ref> The rescue during ] of the Lipizzan stallions is depicted in the 1963 Walt Disney movie '']''. The movie was the only live-action, relatively realistic film set against a World War II backdrop that Disney has ever produced.<ref>Brode, ''From Walt to Woodstock'', p.169.</ref>
Television programs featuring the Lipizzans include '']'', a 1965 children's television series co-produced by RTV Ljubljana (now ]) of Yugoslavia<ref>{{cite book|title=RTV Ljubljana|last=Liška|first=Miklavž ed.|year=1988|publisher=Radiotelevision Ljubljana|location=Ljubljana|page=33}}</ref> and BR-TV of Germany, re-broadcast in the United Kingdom. It followed the adventures of a teenage girl who visits a farm where Lipizzan horses are raised.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/whitehorses.htm|title=The White Horses|work=Television Heaven Website|accessdate=2008-09-17|author=Marcus, Laurence|date=2007|publisher=Television Heaven}}</ref> Another show was the ] cartoon show '']'', where in one episode one of the main characters (actually a beaver) dreams of being a Lipizzan stallion at the Spanish Riding School.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/the-angry-beavers/show/4052/episode_guide.html|title=The Angry Beavers: Episode Guide|accessdate=2008-09-18|work=TV.com|publisher=CNET Networks, Inc}}</ref>


Books that mention Lipizzans include the story '']'', by ], where Lipizzan horses and the Spanish Riding School are key elements of both the plot and the setting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/rah-treasury-nfull4.html|title=The Treasury of Read-Alouds|accessdate=2008-09-18|work=The Read-Aloud Handbook|author=Trelease, Jim|publisher=Reading Tree Productions}}</ref> Lipizzans and the Spanish Riding School also play a crucial role in ]'s 1965 novel ''Airs Above the Ground''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marystewartnovels.com/novels/airs.html|title=Airs Above the Ground|accessdate=2008-09-18|publisher=Mary Stewart}}</ref> Television programs featuring the Lipizzans include '']'', a 1965 children's television series co-produced by RTV Ljubljana (now ]) of Yugoslavia<ref>{{cite book|title=RTV Ljubljana|editor-last=Liška|editor-first=Miklavž |year=1988|publisher=Radiotelevision Ljubljana|location=Ljubljana|page=33}}</ref> and BR-TV of Germany, rebroadcast in the United Kingdom. It followed the adventures of a teenaged girl who visits a farm where Lipizzan horses are raised.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://televisionheaven.co.uk/reviews/the-white-horses|title=The White Horses|accessdate=2014-04-29|author=Marcus, Laurence|year=2007|publisher=Television Heaven}}</ref>


==Notes== == References ==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist}}


==References== ===Sources===
{{refbegin}} {{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book |author= Bongianni, Maurizio (editor) |title= Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies |publisher= Simon & Schuster, Inc. |edition=|location=New York, NY |year=1988|isbn=0671660683}} * {{cite book |editor= Bongianni, Maurizio |title= Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies |publisher= Simon & Schuster, Inc. |location= New York, NY |year= 1988 |isbn= 978-0-671-66068-0 |url-access= registration |url= https://archive.org/details/lish00maur }}
* {{cite book|author=Brode, Douglas|title=From Walt to Woodstock: How Disney Created the Counterculture|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=jxdip1iKLkQC&pg=PA169&dq=miracle+of+the+white+stallions&sig=ACfU3U22P5U03sJ9DKthQPrCqo-SD8R2SA#PPA169,M1|year=2004|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=0292702736}} * {{cite book|author=Brode, Douglas|title=From Walt to Woodstock: How Disney Created the Counterculture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jxdip1iKLkQC&q=miracle+of+the+white+stallions&pg=PA169|year=2004|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=978-0-292-70273-8}}
* {{cite book|author=Dolenc, Milan (translated by Zarco Harvat and Susan Ann Pechy)|title=Lipizzaner: The Story of the Horses of Lipica|date=1981|publisher=Mladinska Knjiga|location=Ljubljana, Yugoslavia|isbn=089893172X}} * {{cite book|author=Dolenc, Milan (translated by Zarco Harvat and Susan Ann Pechy)|title=Lipizzaner: The Story of the Horses of Lipica|year=1981|publisher=Mladinska Knjiga|location=Ljubljana, Yugoslavia|isbn=978-0-89893-172-3|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/lipizzanerstoryo0000dole}}
* {{cite book |author= Edwards, Elwyn Hartley |title= The Encyclopedia of the Horse |publisher= Dorling Kindersley |edition=1st American Edition|location=New York, NY |year=1994|isbn=1564586146}} * {{cite book |author= Edwards, Elwyn Hartley |title= The Encyclopedia of the Horse |publisher= Dorling Kindersley |edition=1st American|location=New York, NY |year=1994|isbn=978-1-56458-614-8}}
* {{cite book|author1=Helbig, Alethea|author2=Perkins, Agnes|name-list-style=amp|title=Dictionary of American children's fiction, 1960-1984: recent books of recognized merit|series=Volume 2, Dictionary of American children's fiction|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pyjt9xhNKJ4C&q=white+stallion+of+lipizza&pg=PA278|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1986|isbn=978-0-313-25233-4}}
* {{cite book| title=General Patton: A Soldier's Life|author=Hirshson, Stanley P. |publisher=HarperCollins|date=2003|isbn=0060009837}}
* {{cite book|title=They Rode Into Europe: The Fruitful Exchange in the Arts of Horsemanship between East and West|author=Jankovich, Miklos, translated by Anthony Dent|publisher=George G. Harrap & Co, Ltd.|location=Great Britain|date=1971|isbn=0684133040}} * {{cite book| title=General Patton: A Soldier's Life|author=Hirshson, Stanley P. |publisher=HarperCollins|year=2003|isbn=978-0-06-000983-0}}
* {{cite book|title=They Rode Into Europe: The Fruitful Exchange in the Arts of Horsemanship between East and West|author=Jankovich, Miklos|translator-first=Anthony|translator-last=Dent|publisher=George G. Harrap & Co, Ltd.|location=Great Britain|year=1971|isbn=978-0-684-13304-1}}
* {{cite book|author=Patton, George S. and Martin Blumenson|title=The Patton Papers|publisher=Da Capo Press| date=1996|isbn= 0306807173}}
* {{cite book|author1=Patton, George S. |author2=Martin Blumenson |name-list-style=amp|title=The Patton Papers|publisher=Da Capo Press| year=1996|isbn= 978-0-306-80717-6}}
* {{cite book |author=Podhajsky, Alois |title=The Complete Training of Horse and Rider In the Principles of Classic Horsemanship|publisher=Doubleday |location= Garden City, NY |year=1967|oclc=501758}} * {{cite book |author=Podhajsky, Alois |title=The Complete Training of Horse and Rider In the Principles of Classic Horsemanship|publisher=Doubleday |location= Garden City, NY |year=1967|oclc=501758}}
* {{cite book|title=Horse Breeds of the World|author=Swinney, Nicola Jane and Bob Langris|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=k--QG6CTpXMC&pg=PA52&dq=spanish+riding+school+tradition+horse+color&sig=ACfU3U03sr1wGohHKY_54R51hX84nvCMzw|publisher=Globe Pequot|date=2006|isbn=1592289908}} * {{cite book|title=Horse Breeds of the World|author1=Swinney, Nicola Jane|author2=Bob Langris|name-list-style=amp|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k--QG6CTpXMC&q=spanish+riding+school+tradition+horse+color&pg=PA52|publisher=Globe Pequot|year=2006|isbn=978-1-59228-990-5}}{{Dead link|date=April 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
{{refend}} {{Refend}}


== External links == == External links ==
{{commons|Lipizzaner}} {{Commons|Lipizzaner}}
* {{Official website|http://www.lipica.org/en/|Lipica stud farm official website}}
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Latest revision as of 10:53, 28 December 2024

Horse breed noted for use in the Spanish Riding School in Vienna

Lipizzan
Other namesLipizzaner, Karster
Country of originDeveloped by the House of Habsburg from Arab, Barb, Spanish and Neapolitan stock. Today associated with the nations of Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovenia.
Traits
Distinguishing featuresCompact, muscular, mostly but not exclusively gray in color, popularly associated with the Spanish Riding School.
Breed standards

The Lipizzan or Lipizzaner (Croatian: Lipicanac, Czech: Lipicán, German: Lipizzaner, Hungarian: Lipicai, Italian: Lipizzano, Serbian: Lipicaner, Slovene: Lipicanec) is a European breed of riding horse developed in the Habsburg Empire in the sixteenth century. It is of Baroque type, and is powerful, slow to mature and long-lived; the coat is usually gray.

The name of the breed derives from that of the village of Lipica (Italian: Lipizza), which was part of the Habsburg empire at the time the breed was developed, now in Slovenia, one of the earliest stud farms established; the stud farm there is still active. The breed has been endangered numerous times by warfare sweeping Europe, including during the War of the First Coalition, World War I, and World War II. The rescue of the Lipizzans during World War II by American troops was made famous by the Disney movie Miracle of the White Stallions.

The Lipizzaner is closely associated with the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, where the horses demonstrate the haute école or "high school" movements of classical dressage, including the highly controlled, stylized jumps and other movements known as the "airs above the ground". These horses are mostly bred at the Piber Federal Stud, near Graz, Austria, and are trained using traditional methods of classical dressage that date back hundreds of years.

Eight stallions are recognized as the classic foundation bloodstock of the breed, all foaled in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. All modern Lipizzans trace their bloodlines to these eight stallions, and all breeding stallions have included in their name the name of the foundation sire of their bloodline. Also classic mare lines are known, with up to 35 recognized by various breed registries. The majority of horses are registered through the member organizations of the Lipizzan International Federation, which covers almost 11,000 horses in 19 countries and at 9 state studs in Europe. Most Lipizzans reside in Europe, with smaller numbers in the Americas, South Africa, and Australia.

Lipizzan horse breeding traditions are recognized by UNESCO and inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Characteristics

Young Lipizzan stallion midway through the graying process

Most adult Lipizzans measure between 14.2 and 15.2 hands (58 and 62 inches, 147 and 157 cm). However, horses bred to be closer to the original carriage-horse type are taller, approaching 16.1 hands (65 inches, 165 cm). Lipizzans have a long head, with a straight or slightly convex profile. The jaw is deep, the ears small, the eyes large and expressive, and the nostrils flared. They have a neck that is sturdy, yet arched and withers that are low, muscular, and broad. They are a Baroque horse, with a wide, deep chest, broad croup, and muscular shoulder. The tail is carried high and well set. The legs are well-muscled and strong, with broad joints and well-defined tendons. The feet tend to be small, but are tough.

Lipizzan horses tend to mature slowly. However, they live and are active longer than many other breeds, with horses performing the difficult exercises of the Spanish Riding School well into their 20s and living into their 30s.

Color

Mare and dark foal

Aside from the rare solid-colored horse (usually bay or black), most Lipizzans are gray. Like all gray horses, they have black skin, dark eyes, and as adult horses, a white hair coat. Gray horses, including Lipizzans, are born with a pigmented coat—in Lipizzans, foals are usually bay or black—and become lighter each year as the graying process takes place, with the process being complete between 6 and 10 years of age. Lipizzans are not actually true white horses, but this is a common misconception. A white horse is born white and has unpigmented skin.

Until the eighteenth century, Lipizzans had other coat colors, including dun, bay, chestnut, black, piebald, and skewbald. However, gray is a dominant gene. Gray was the color preferred by the royal family, so the color was emphasized in breeding practices. Thus, in a small breed population when the color was deliberately selected as a desirable feature, it came to be the color of the overwhelming majority of Lipizzan horses. However, it is a long-standing tradition for the Spanish Riding School to have at least one bay Lipizzan stallion in residence, and this tradition is continued through the present day.

History

Lipizzan stallion, Schönbrunn Palace

The ancestors of the Lipizzan can be traced to around 800 AD. The earliest predecessors of the Lipizzan originated in the seventh century when Barb horses were brought into Spain by the Moors and crossed on native Spanish stock. The result was the Andalusian horse and other Iberian horse breeds.

By the sixteenth century, when the Habsburgs ruled both Spain and Austria, a powerful but agile horse was desired both for military uses and for use in the fashionable and rapidly growing riding schools for the nobility of central Europe. Therefore, in 1562, the Habsburg Emperor Maximillian II brought the Spanish Andalusian horse to Austria and founded the court stud at Kladrub. In 1580, his brother, Archduke Charles II, ruler of Inner Austria, established a similar stud at Lipizza (now Lipica), located in modern-day Slovenia, from which the breed obtained its name. When the stud farm was established, Lipizza was located within the municipal limits of Trieste, an autonomous city under Habsburg sovereignty. The name of the village itself derives from the Slovene word lipa, meaning "linden tree."

Spanish, Barb, and Arabian stock were crossed at Lipizza, and succeeding generations were crossed with the now-extinct Neapolitan breed from Italy and other Baroque horses of Spanish descent obtained from Germany and Denmark. While breeding stock was exchanged between the two studs, Kladrub specialized in producing heavy carriage horses, while riding and light carriage horses came from the Lipizza stud.

Beginning in 1920, the Piber Federal Stud, near Graz, Austria, became the main stud for the horses used in Vienna. Breeding became very selective, allowing only stallions that had proved themselves at the Riding School to stand at stud, and breeding only mares that had passed rigorous performance testing.

Foundation horses

Today, eight foundation lines for Lipizzans are recognized by various registries, which refer to them as "dynasties". They are divided into two groups. Six trace to classical foundation stallions used in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the Lipizza stud, and two additional lines were not used at Lipizza, but were used by other studs within the historic boundaries of the Habsburg Empire.

The six "classical dynasties" are:

  • Pluto: a gray Spanish stallion from the Royal Danish Stud, foaled in 1765
  • Conversano: a black Neapolitan stallion, foaled in 1767
  • Maestoso: a gray stallion from the Kladrub stud with a Spanish dam, foaled 1773, descendants today all trace via Maestoso X, foaled in Hungary in 1819
  • Favory: a dun stallion from the Kladrub stud, foaled in 1779
  • Neapolitano: a bay Neapolitan stallion from the Polesine, foaled in 1790
  • Siglavy: a gray Arabian stallion, originally from Syria, foaled in 1810

Two additional stallion lines are found in Croatia, Hungary, and other eastern European countries, as well as in North America. They are accepted as equal to the six classical lines by the Lipizzan International Federation. These are:

Several other stallion lines have died out over the years, but were used in the early breeding of the horses. In addition to the foundation stallion lines, there were 20 "classic" mare lines, 14 of which exist today. However, up to 35 mare lines are recognized by various Lipizzan organizations.

Traditional naming patterns are used for both stallions and mares, required by Lipizzan breed registries. Stallions traditionally are given two names, with the first being the line of the sire and the second being the name of the dam. For example, "Maestoso Austria" is a horse sired by Maestoso Trompeta out of a mare named Austria. The horse's sire line traces to the foundation sire Maestoso. The names of mares are chosen to be "complementary to the traditional Lipizzan line names" and are required to end in the letter "a".

Spanish Riding School

Main article: Spanish Riding School
Lipizzans training at the Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School uses highly trained Lipizzan stallions in public performances that demonstrate classical dressage movements and training. In 1572, the first Spanish riding hall was built, during the Austrian Empire, and is the oldest of its kind in the world. The Spanish Riding School, though located in Vienna, Austria, takes its name from the original Spanish heritage of its horses. In 1729, Charles VI commissioned the building of the Winter Riding School in Vienna and in 1735, the building was completed that remains the home of the Spanish Riding School today.

Wartime preservation

The Lipizzans endured several wartime relocations throughout their history, each of which saved the breed from extinction. The first was in March 1797 during the War of the First Coalition, when the horses were evacuated from Lipica. During the journey, 16 mares gave birth to foals. In November 1797, the horses returned to Lipica, but the stables were in ruins. They were rebuilt, but in 1805, the horses were evacuated again when Napoleon invaded Austria. They were being taken care of in Đakovo Stud. They remained away from the stud for two years, returning April 1, 1807, but then, following the Treaty of Schönbrunn in 1809, the horses were evacuated three more times during the unsettled period that followed, resulting in the loss of many horses and the destruction of the written studbooks that documented bloodlines of horses prior to 1700. The horses finally returned to Lipica for good in 1815, where they remained for the rest of the nineteenth century.

The first evacuation of the twentieth century occurred in 1915 when the horses were evacuated from Lipica due to World War I and placed at Laxenburg and Kladrub. Following the war, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up, with Lipica becoming part of Italy. Thus, the animals were divided between several different studs in the new postwar nations of Austria, Italy, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Yugoslavia. The nation of Austria kept the stallions of the Spanish Riding School and some breeding stock. By 1920, the Austrian breeding stock was consolidated at Piber.

During World War II, the high command of Nazi Germany transferred most of Europe's Lipizzan breeding stock to Hostau, Czechoslovakia. The breeding stock was taken from Piber in 1942, and additional mares and foals from other European nations arrived in 1943. The stallions of the Spanish Riding School were evacuated to St. Martins, Austria, from Vienna in January 1945, when bombing raids neared the city and the head of the Spanish Riding School, Colonel Alois Podhajsky, feared the horses were in danger. By spring of 1945, the horses at Hostau were threatened by the advancing Soviet army, which might have slaughtered the animals for horse meat had it captured the facility.

The rescue of the Lipizzans by the United States Army, made famous by the Disney movie Miracle of the White Stallions, occurred in two parts: The Third United States Army, under the command of General George S. Patton, was near St. Martins in the spring of 1945 and learned that the Lipizzan stallions were in the area. Patton himself was a horseman, and like Podhajsky, had competed in the Olympic Games. On May 7, 1945, Podhajsky put on an exhibition of the Spanish Riding School stallions for Patton and Undersecretary of War Robert P. Patterson, and at its conclusion requested that Patton take the horses under his protection.

Meanwhile, the Third Army's United States Second Cavalry, a tank unit under the command of Colonel Charles Reed, had discovered the horses at Hostau, where 400 Allied prisoners of war were also being kept, and had occupied it on April 28, 1945. "Operation Cowboy", as the rescue was known, resulted in the recovery of 1,200 horses, including 375 Lipizzans. Patton learned of the raid, and arranged for Podhajsky to fly to Hostau. On May 12, American soldiers began riding, trucking, and herding the horses 35 miles across the border into Kotztinz, Germany. The Lipizzans were eventually settled in temporary quarters in Wimsbach, until the breeding stock returned to Piber in 1952, and the stallions returned to the Spanish Riding School in 1955. In 2005, the Spanish Riding School celebrated the 60th anniversary of Patton's rescue by touring the United States.

Lipik Stud, Croatia

During the Croatian War of Independence, from 1991 to 1995, the horses at the Lipik stable in Croatia were taken by the Serbs to Novi Sad, Serbia. The horses remained there until 2007, when calls began to be made for them to be returned to their country of origin. In October 2007, 60 horses were returned to Croatia.

Modern breed

The Lipizzan breed suffered a setback to its population when a viral epidemic hit the Piber Stud in 1983. Forty horses and 8% of the expected foal crop were lost. Since then, the population at the stud has increased. By 1994, 100 mares were at the stud farm and a foal crop of 56 was born in 1993. In 1994, the rate of successful pregnancy and birth of foals increased from 27 to 82%; the result of a new veterinary center. In 1996, a study funded by the European Union Indo-Copernicus Project assessed 586 Lipizzan horses from eight stud farms in Europe, with the goal of developing a "scientifically based description of the Lipizzan horse". A study of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was performed on 212 of the animals, and those studied were found to contain 37 of the 39 known mtDNA haplotypes known in modern horses, meaning that they show a high degree of genetic diversity. This had been expected, as it was known that the mare families of the Lipizzan included a large number of different breeds, including Arabians, Thoroughbreds, and other European breeds.

Lipica stud farm, Slovenia

The Lipizzan International Federation (LIF) is the international governing organization for the breed, composed of many national and private organizations representing the Lipizzan. The organizations work together under the banner of the LIF to promote the breed and maintain standards. As of 2012, almost 11,000 Lipizzans were registered with the LIF; residing with private breeders in 19 countries and at nine state studs in Europe. The largest number are in Europe, with almost 9,000 registered horses, followed by the Americas, with just over 1,700, then Africa and Australia with around 100 horses each. The nine state studs that are part of the LIF represent almost one-quarter of the horses in Europe. Sâmbăta de Jos, in Romania, has the greatest number of horses, with 400, followed by Piber in Austria (360), Lipica in Slovenia (358), Szilvásvárad in Hungary (262), Monterotondo in Italy (230), Đakovo-Lipik in Croatia (220), and Topoľčianky in Slovakia (200). The other two studs are smaller, with stud Vučijak in Bosnia near Prnjavor having 130 horses and Karađorđevo in Serbia having just 30. Educational programs have been developed to promote the breed and foster adherence to traditional breeding objectives.

Because of the status of Lipizzans as the only breed of horse developed in Slovenia, via the Lipica stud that is now located within its borders, Lipizzans are recognized in Slovenia as a national animal. For example, a pair of Lipizzans is featured on the 20-cent Slovenian euro coins. Mounted regiments of Carabinieri police in Italy also employ the Lipizzan as one of their mounts. In October 2008, during a visit to Slovenia, a Lipizzan at Lipica, named 085 Favory Canissa XXII, was given to Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. She decided to leave the animal in the care of the stud farm.

Heritage of humanity list

On the initiative of Slovenian Ministry of Culture, the tradition of breeding and maintaining a purebred Lipizzaner is recognized by UNESCO and inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as Lipizzan horse breeding traditions since 2022. Inscriptions include state parties Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Training and uses

Lipizzans in Slovenia

The traditional horse training methods for Lipizzans were developed at the Spanish Riding School and are based on the principles of classical dressage, which in turn traces to the Ancient Greek writer Xenophon, whose works were rediscovered in the sixteenth century. His thoughts on development of horses' mental attitude and psyche are still considered applicable today. Other writers who strongly influenced the training methods of the Spanish Riding School include Federico Grisone, the founder of the first riding academy in Naples, who lived during the sixteenth century, and Antoine de Pluvinel and François Robichon de la Guérinière, two Frenchmen from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The methods for training the Lipizzan stallions at the Spanish Riding School were passed down via an oral tradition until Field Marshal Franz Holbein and Johann Meixner, Senior Rider at the School, published the initial guidelines for the training of horse and rider at the school in 1898. In the mid-twentieth century, Alois Podhajsky wrote a number of works that serve as textbooks for many dressage riders today.

The principles taught at the Spanish Riding School are based on practices taught to cavalry riders to prepare their horses for warfare. Young stallions come to the Spanish Riding School for training when they are four years old. Full training takes an average of six years for each horse, and schooling is considered complete when they have mastered the skills required to perform the "School Quadrille". There are three progressively more difficult skill sets taught to the stallions, which are:

  • Forward riding, also called straight riding or the Remontenschule, is the name given to the skills taught in the first year of training, where a young horse learns to be saddled and bridled, learns basic commands on a longe line, and then is taught to be ridden, mostly in an arena in simple straight lines and turns, to teach correct responses to the rider's legs and hands while mounted. The main goal during this time is to develop free forward movement in as natural a position as possible.
  • Campaign school, Campagneschule or Campagne, is where the horse learns collection and balance through all gaits, turns, and maneuvers. The horse learns to shorten and lengthen his stride and perform lateral movements to the side, and is introduced to the more complex double bridle. This is the longest training phase and may take several years.
  • High-school dressage, the haute école or Hohe Schule, includes riding the horse with greater collection with increased use of the hindquarters, developing increased regularity, skill, and finesse in all natural gaits. In this period, the horse learns the most advanced movements such as the half-pass, counter-canter, flying change, pirouette, passage, and piaffe. This is also when the horse may be taught the "airs above the ground." This level emphasizes performance with a high degree of perfection.

Although the Piber Stud trains mares for driving and under saddle, the Spanish Riding School exclusively uses stallions in its performances. Worldwide, the Lipizzan today competes in dressage and driving, as well as retaining their classic position at the Spanish Riding School.

"Airs above the ground"

See also: Dressage § "Airs" above the ground
Pesade performed during an open-air performance of the South African Lipizzaners from Johannesburg

The "airs above the ground" are the difficult "high school" dressage movements made famous by the Lipizzans. The finished movements include:

  • The levade is a position wherein the horse raises up both front legs, standing at a 30° angle entirely on its hind legs in a controlled form that requires a great deal of hindquarter strength. A less difficult but related movement is the pesade, where the horse rises up to a 45° angle.
  • The courbette is a movement where the horse balances on its hind legs and then essentially "hops", jumping with the front legs off the ground and hind legs together.
  • The capriole is a jump in place where the stallion leaps into the air, tucking his forelegs under himself, and kicks out with his hind legs at the top of the jump.

Other movements include:

  • The croupade and ballotade are predecessors to the capriole. In the croupade, the horse jumps with both front and hind legs remaining tucked under the body and he does not kick out. In the ballotade, the horse jumps and untucks his hind legs slightly, he does not kick out, but the soles of the hind feet are visible if viewed from the rear.
  • The mezair is a series of successive levades in which the horse lowers its forefeet to the ground before rising again on hindquarters, achieving forward motion. This movement is no longer used at the Spanish Riding School.

In popular culture

Lipizzans have starred or played supporting roles in many movies, TV shows, books, and other media.

The 1940 film Florian stars two Lipizzan stallions. It was based on a 1934 novel by Felix Salten. The wife of the film's producer owned the only Lipizzans in the US at the time the movie was made. The rescue during World War II of the Lipizzan stallions is depicted in the 1963 Walt Disney movie Miracle of the White Stallions. The movie was the only live-action, relatively realistic film set against a World War II backdrop that Disney has ever produced.

Television programs featuring the Lipizzans include The White Horses, a 1965 children's television series co-produced by RTV Ljubljana (now RTV Slovenija) of Yugoslavia and BR-TV of Germany, rebroadcast in the United Kingdom. It followed the adventures of a teenaged girl who visits a farm where Lipizzan horses are raised.

References

  1. ^ Das K.K. Hofgestüt zu Lippiza 1580–1880, Wien 1880
  2. ^ "Lipizzan Origins". Lipizzan Association of North America. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
  3. ^ Edwards, The Encyclopedia of the Horse, p.111.
  4. Bongianni, Simon & Schuster's Guide to Horses and Ponies, Entry 37.
  5. ^ "Introduction to Coat Color Genetics". Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. University of California, Davis. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  6. "Lipizzaner". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University. Archived from the original on 24 September 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  7. Swinney, Horse Breeds of the World, p.52.
  8. "The Lipizzaner". Equiworld. Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
  9. ^ Jankovich, They Rode Into Europe, p. 77
  10. "Andalusian". Breeds of Livestock. Oklahoma State University. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2008.
  11. Snoj, Marko (2009). Etimološki slovar slovenskih zemljepisnih imen. Modrijan and Založba ZRC. pp. 234–235.
  12. "The Lipizzan Horses". Piber Stud. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
  13. ^ "Breed Standards". Lipizzan International Federation. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  14. ^ "Sire Lines". Lipizzan International Federation. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  15. "Lipizzans". Classical Dressage. Ritter Dressage. Archived from the original on 19 January 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  16. Dolenc, Lipizzaner, p. 49
  17. Dolenc, Lipizzaner, p. 51
  18. "Rules/Evaluations". Lipizzan Association of North America. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
  19. ^ "The Stallions". Spanish Riding School. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  20. Podhajsky, The Complete Training of Horse and Rider, p. 249
  21. ^ "The Spanish Riding School". Spanish Riding School. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  22. "Lipizzan Horse History". Lipizzan International Federation. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  23. ^ "Lipizzan Breed History". United States Lipizzan Registry. Retrieved 6 December 2008.
  24. ^ "History". Piber Stud. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  25. ^ Davis, Susan (16 October 1995). "Operation Cowboy". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
  26. ^ Sosby, Brian (October 2005). "The 2005 Lipizzaner Tour of the Spanish Riding School" (PDF). Equestrian. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  27. Letts, Elizabeth. 2016. The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis.
  28. Patton, The Patton Papers, p. 697
  29. Hirshson, General Patton, p. 635
  30. "The History". Spanish Riding School. Archived from the original on 5 January 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  31. "After 15 Year Absence Legendary Lipizzaner Stallions of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna Set Return for U.S. Tour". Business Wire. 5 May 2005. Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
  32. Boris Orešić (28 December 2010). "Pomor u zajednici bijelih griva – I Lipicance ubijaju, zar ne?". Globus (in Croatian). Archived from the original on 1 January 2011.
  33. "Croatian Lipizzaners Return Home". Lipizzan Association of North America. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  34. ^ Edwards, The Encyclopedia of the Horse, p. 129
  35. ^ Kelly, Jeff & Kelly-Simmons, Lisa (Winter 2012). "Mitochondrial DNA Genetics of Lipizzans" (PDF). USLF News. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2014.
  36. Kavar, Tatjana; Brem, Gottfried; Habe, Franc; Sölkner, Johann; Dovč, Peter (2002). "History of Lipizzan horse maternal lines as revealed by mtDNA analysis". Genet. Sel. Evol. 34 (5): 635–648. doi:10.1051/gse:2002028. PMC 2705438. PMID 12427390.
  37. "Gründung" (in German). Lipizzan International Federation. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  38. ^ Maksimović, Dragan (11 December 2022). "Čiji su Lipicaneri?". www.dw.com.
  39. Manz, Christian G.M. (October 2012). "Purebred Lipizzans Registered by Members of Lipizzan International Federation". Lipizzan International Federation. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
  40. Manske, Michael. "Slovenia Banks on the Euro". Network Europe. Archived from the original on 3 May 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
  41. Lipizzan horses used by Mounted Carabinieri Regiments
  42. Vukic, Snjezana (22 October 2008). "Slovenia Gives Britain's Queen a Lipizzaner Horse". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  43. "UNESCO - Lipizzan horse breeding traditions". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  44. UNESCO-Commission, Austrian. "Knowledge concerning the breeding of Lipizzan horses". Austrian UNESCO-Commission. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  45. "Hold your horses! Lipizzan breed given UN protected heritage status". euronews. 29 November 2022.
  46. Gibbon, Abby (29 September 2011). "Xenophon, Forefather Of Dressage". Chronicle of the Horse. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  47. "Classical Equitation". Spanish Riding School. Archived from the original on 22 May 2006. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
  48. Podhajsky, The Complete Training of Horse and Rider, p. 24
  49. Podhajsky, The Complete Training of Horse and Rider, pp. 25–26
  50. Podhajsky, The Complete Training of Horse and Rider, p. 268
  51. Podhajsky, The Complete Training of Horse and Rider, pp. 269–274
  52. "Florian". Lipizzan Association of North America. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
  53. Brode, From Walt to Woodstock, p.169.
  54. Liška, Miklavž, ed. (1988). RTV Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Radiotelevision Ljubljana. p. 33.
  55. Marcus, Laurence (2007). "The White Horses". Television Heaven. Retrieved 29 April 2014.

Sources

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