Rare performance by white stallions

GEORGE NEWS - A rare treat is on its way to the Eden District when the sensational dancing Lipizzaner stallions will show their skills in George as part of a road trip from Kyalami to the Western Cape.

The graceful stallions, known for their fluidity and beauty coupled with military precision and regimental flair, will be performing at the Olympia Estate Equestrian Centre outside Blanco on 30 September. Bookings can be made through Computicket.

The Lipizzaner stallions were established as a breed in Austria when an imperial stud was established at Karst, in the area in which Lipica (Italian: Lipizza) is situated. At the Austrian court, the Lipizzaner horses were used to pull the emperor's coaches for pageantry and for high school displays.

Today the Spanish Riding School in Vienna makes exclusive use of Lipizzaner horses for their performances, which were opened to the public only after the First World War. Their performances are based purely on the classical and traditional style of Haute École, on which modern day dressage is based, as derived from the Spanish training methods.

The horses perform traditional movements that were used in warfare, some of which are still used in modern dressage, as well as some other spectacular movements, including the "airs above the ground".

George Iwanowski, a Polish immigrant, single-handedly launched the tradition of the performing white stallions in South Africa. On his arrival in Johannesburg, he set out to meet horsey people who could be instrumental in helping him find employment. After an initial stint at a stud farm in the Karoo, he returned to Johannesburg where he and Josy Hicks formed a partnership and started Centaur Stables, which later became the first home of the Lipizzaner team.

Today there are 30 stallions at the SA Lipizzaners centre, ranging from the 3-year-old stallions just brought up from the stud farm to begin their formal training, through to 'teenagers' at the height of their performing career.

The Lipizzaners in South Africa are the only performing Lipizzaners outside Vienna that are endorsed and recognised by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. The performances uphold their high standards and are based on the traditional principles and training methods and have not heeded the popularity-pull to become "circus displays".