| The Spanish Riding School or the Spanische | | | | preserved and is still practiced in its |
| Hofreitschule, which literally means – | | | | original form. Many years of training fuse |
| Imperial Court Spanish Riding School of | | | | horse and rider into an inseparable unit. The |
| Vienna, Austria, is a traditional riding | | | | audience is treated to an unforgettable |
| school for Lipizzan horses. It was | | | | experience by the precision of movement of |
| established during the Austro-Hungarian | | | | the Lipizzan horses in perfect harmony with |
| Empire in 1572. It was named for the Spanish | | | | the music. |
| horses that were, and still are, the mainstay | | | | |
| of the riding school. Today the horses are | | | | In the course of gala performances, visitors |
| bred in a court stud in Lipica, near Trieste | | | | experience unique presentations of the |
| in nowadays Slovenia, and at the Piber Stud | | | | Lipizzans in the most beautiful riding hall |
| in western Styria, Austria. | | | | in the world, which was impressively |
| | | | outfitted by baroque architect Joseph Emanuel |
| The methods used by the Riding School, like | | | | Fischer von Erlach between 1729 and 1735. It |
| those of the Cadre Noir, are based on the | | | | was originally built to provide aristocratic |
| teachings of the French riding master | | | | youths with the opportunity to take riding |
| François Robichon de la Guérinière. | | | | instruction. Morning training with music |
| The standards are just as strict at the | | | | gives a good impression into the training |
| School as they were years ago. The young | | | | program of the White Stallions; the guided |
| stallions are taught the basics first, then, | | | | tours include visits to the stables. |
| as they strengthen, begin collected | | | | |
| movements. They are then assessed to | | | | A new program provides one with exclusive |
| determine if they are suitable for the | | | | background information about the traditional |
| demanding 'airs above the ground.' The | | | | training and education of the world famous |
| riders, too, are carefully schooled, working | | | | white horses of the Spanish Riding School. |
| first without stirrups and reins on | | | | For the first time in the history of the High |
| well-trained horses to teach a balanced and | | | | School of Riding, one of the chief riders |
| independent seat. Performances at the Spanish | | | | will explain personally how the horses are |
| Riding School include individual and pas de | | | | classically trained. One after the other one |
| deux – two horses at once displays, as | | | | will encounter the steps horse and riders |
| well as a Grand Quadrille consisting of 16 | | | | have to take in the course of their |
| horses working in formation at the walk, | | | | education, and how this life-long bond is |
| trot, and canter, including flying changes, | | | | formed and cultivated. |
| piaffe, and passage work. All riders wear the | | | | |
| traditional brown frock coat uniform with | | | | The visitors are enthralled by the world of |
| bicorne hats, and all horses wear red and | | | | the noble stallions and their riders. Man and |
| gold saddle cloths. | | | | horse have to brave years of intensive |
| | | | training to master the High School in |
| It is regarded as the top of the classical | | | | absolute harmony and perfection. It is a |
| art of riding, with skills and traditions | | | | pleasure to share in the stages that make an |
| dating back to Ancient Greece. The Spanish | | | | élève into a rider and a young horse |
| Riding School in Vienna is the only | | | | into a school stallion of the Spanish Riding |
| institution in the world where the classic | | | | School. |
| equestrian skills (haute école) has been | | | | |