Spanish Riding School Pas De Deux - White Lippizaner Stallions

[@SavvyConnemara]

The stallions seem at peace with their collected work. They start their horses at a much older age, take care to build them up slowly, methodically, and demand a high standard in the riders. Lovely.

[@sherylbenkosky5358]

Almost beyond belief perfection in riding. We humans are so blessed that we have such wondrous creatures as horses in the world we share.

[@sophielorber4571]

Because Dressage Hub didn't care to mention: This was part of the Official New Year's performance 2021 by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, broadcasted by the Austrian Television ORF. The music is composed by Strauß, the whole performamce lasted about an hour.

[@lisarossi4284]

Amazing. Job 39:19-25

[@caizawranning5793]

The original music by Strauss in the Official New Year’s performance broadcast has been replaced by a song composed by Kyle Preston called ”The people” .

[@horse-lover68]

​@@caizawranning5793Why was Johnan Strauss replaced?? He was from Austria and I love his music.

[@kuroshi2798]

I love to see people who ride like this. Quiet hands, spurs used just give quiet and precise cues, and whips that are only for show. I wish more people rode like this

[@Kat-mu8wq]

I don't need spurs for my youngster (he's part arab so spurs would be disastrous) I do carry a small crop as he can sometimes nap at the gate or be lazy, a tiny tap on his shoulder to remind him I have it is enough. I've never had to give him an arse slap with it, the ploddy cob I had spurs, crop and he was given oats and molasses feed and he still wouldn't do faster, shouting at him did work though. 🤣 can't shout during a dressage test though so the cob was lucky to get over 60% I did my first test with my new boy last month so I should get the results in the mail within the next week. He could have done better but it was his first little test so I didn't want to bore him doing it over and over.

[@kuroshi2798]

@@Kat-mu8wq That's awesome! I mainly barrel race, so I get my results the second I cross the timer. I have the laziest stallion at home who is far too clumsy for barrels, but his sister and her mom are both entirely different stories. I just get them in the arena, set them up, and whistle through my teeth. They both give 110% effort with just whistles for encouragement. I've only used spurs a couple times when running because one of them decided to start nailing my shin on ths right barrel, but other than that, it's pretty much point, whistle, and they go for it. One of them uses a hackamore and the other wears a snaffle usually. So many of the people I run against dig in with their spurs and have these insane 3 piece crank bits and I'm like why, why do you need that?

[@kh628]

So many of our tools were designed to amplify rider cues so instructions could be given with extreme subtlety, to highly-trained horses. No need to swing the whole leg around like a maniac when a tiny move could touch the spur to the side and be felt clearly. No need to move the whole arm when a tightening of the fingers is just as clear in the bit. And then the tools get used instead to just make the flapping and kicking and pulling even louder, like screaming instructions at half-trained horses can shortcut the extra years of training to get the same result.

[@kuroshi2798]

@@kh628 moving the arms down the reins is kind of essential in barrel racing. However, on a horse that is really trained for it, there's barely any contact being made. The hands on the reins look way harder than they actually are. The spurs are an entirely different story though. I don't use them unless one of my horses is trying to make a habit of rubbing the barrel, so I'll just use spurs to push them out off it. The point of barrel racing is to be fast, not pretty. I don't see why some many barrel racers insist on spur spur spur and whack whack whack to get across the timer, but it isn't possible to run a fast pattern without moving your hands. Unlike most sports, the horse's head isn't even staying close to straight on with its body. If your hands don't move, you aren't making the turn.

[@mo0onsh0t]

@@kuroshi2798 probably just for "show" :/ or they're too lazy to do the minimal effort and use tools to get the job done which is disgusting 😧

[@dorothyturek6006]

Beautiful...relaxed horses, riders with quiet aids...no swinging legs or shoulders, no spurring. Just lovely and soft.

[@Keeper0fmyHEART]

It's been my dream for almost 40 years to visit the Spanish Riding School. It's literly the first place in the would I want to see before anything else. Thanks for bringing my dream into my home.

[@loopymcgeee3939]

GO! Vienna is amazing!

[@wendykendall5017]

Go to the morning exercise if you can. 3hrs just watching them work different stallions.

[@trppro7640]

It’s supposed to be amazing. 🤩

[@1packatak]

I first saw Lippizaners perform 54 yrs ago!!! I was so amazed at their beauty. It was the start of my love of horses.

[@carleenturner1348]

My mom brought my best friend and me(both horse crazy girls) to a see the Lippizan perform in Buffalo ,N.Y.. It was in 54 years ago too.....

[@marinaellinson5623]

I saw them on the same tour in Toronto, Canada - I can still see them in my mind.

[@erynlasgalen1949]

Same here. This was the Spsnish Riding School's American tour with Col. Podhojski riding. I saw it in Chicago. I already owned my first horses. It was something to remember.

[@TheOldandslow]

I was 7 and horse crazy (51 now), my mom surprised me with tickets to see them at the Forum in Los Angeles. It was the end of my acceptance of a non-horse life. Everything I saw was etched on my mind like an HD video. My sole goal was to have horses in my life from then on which I manifested within a few years and since then have never been without a horse. I believe even us mere common riders can aspire to listen and feel at a high level if we try.

[@retro2546]

The best thing I've seen today. No stress, spurring, kicking, but soft calf signals, just as it should be. So many years of training leads to harmony and perfection - something most of the riders dont have.

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

Do you know how hard it is to find a coach that doesn't cost all of your limbs to get to this point?

[@noelborden8787]

My mother used to go and watch the horses of the Spanish Riding School cross from the stables, every day, to the School when my father was stationed in Vienna after WW2. It was one of her favorite memories.

[@jandavison7288]

Beautiful, quiet horsemanship

[@pearl_purpleshovel9146]

Yep

[@dianealden9293]

One of those rare times horse and rider are - united - one and the same - extensions of the other. Having done this on a MUCH lower level - their quietness and grace and fluidity is a miracle to behold. Well done.

[@thelastvalkyrie1998]

The subtle gestures from the reins, the baroque interior, the sharp, fleeting, graceful movements of these ethereal stallions. There is a reason the Spanish riding school has been a tradition in horsemanship for centuries.

[@shannontownsend5349]

At this time of COVID, thank you for this beautiful gift. A horsewoman in Canada...

[@carinjacara]

Die Pferde wunderbar locker und gelassen; geraten trotz schwierigster Lektionen nicht ins Schwitzen - sehr schöne und harmonische Darbietung.

[@lori5455]

Beautiful to watch. Dressage is hard enough with one horse but to mirror another takes perfect timing and execution.

[@cookiemobers5650]

The most beautiful Indoor arena in the world.

[@lifesgreat9951]

That's enough to bring a tear to a glass eye. Poetry in physical motion. Beautiful.

[@longwhitemane]

I can ride every bit as well as these two...in my dreams! Seriously, thank you for posting this. I found it not only beautiful but very calming.

[@cynthiawhitten5159]

It makes a huge lump in my throat to see such beauty ❤

[@KenDelloSandro7565]

Show offs . Those two horses are glorious and they know it.

[@laceydancerauthor]

I have loved these horses since I heard about them in my teens. Extraordinary.

[@marinabowman8177]

I was borne in Austria and have loved these magnificent horses all my life. They are beautiful when borne and just improve over their lives. Seeing them run free when on rest in the fields is a wonder.

[@naomipommerel8415]

Better than most GP dressage quite frankly, including the riders. Horse is calm, all the movements are right, curb rein is almost slack & the riders legs are rock solid!

[@cynthiabrown2806]

Oh they're wonderful to watch!! Such lovely music as well.

[@Kat-mu8wq]

The music seemed dull to me.

[@carrolkeller5298]

I have been fortunate twice in my life to see them live. Once in Chicago and once in Miami. Absolutely breathtaking

[@sherrelhauhe7791]

Such a joy to watch these beautiful and regal looking horses do this dressage dance...the horsemanship amazing !!! Thank you for letting us experience this wonder between horse and man !!

[@constancethomas588]

It is so amazing that stallions in groups can give such a marvelous performance. The patience and training to achieve this partnership and the beauty of it is so breath taking.

[@ilinemanja6060]

I'm not a dressage person. But I gotta say that the perfection in this pas de deux is on point. The timing with the music is perfect, as well as the canter changes. The canter changes at 3:41, you almost don't see it. And at 4:28, they end exactly on the right canter, which is counter canter. I could watch this all day. The discipline these riders have is marvelous.

[@comesahorseman]

And, the horses are willing and content.

[@5DNRG]

This is beautiful, but hope that the horses are enjoying it too.

[@katie-didellis2437]

As a child in the '50s, I remember my mom and grandmother taking us to see these horses. We love them, we loved watching them prance, and dance and go in circles it was beautiful. Mom and grandma told us the story of how they were rescued/saved in the second world war when their school was going to be bombed. It's an unbelievable story so if you can find it watch it, listen to it. I must have been five or six years old but I still remember seeing these horses. Beautiful absolutely beautiful.

[@dinganddoo2]

If you've never had a chance to see them preform in person, definitely put it on your bucket list! PBS used to show their Christmas performance every year. I wish they still did 😥

[@BlakLupina08]

Im am crying from this splendid piece, one day I will visit austria and see these beautiful creatures for myself. Bravo, bellisimo

[@Kelly_Ben]

I was lucky enough to catch them on tour here in the US about 25 years ago. As magical and majestic as you can imagine.

[@devydraper4166]

@@Kelly_Ben I saw them on tour here as well. It was more like 50 years ago. A most magical night indeed!!! Somehow I got a tour of the stable area and found a tail hair caught in a wooden panel. My most valued possession for a very very long time.

[@Kelly_Ben]

@@devydraper4166 That must have been INCREDIBLE!

[@MightyMoCat]

Such wonderful beings! They could teach humans a lot. 🐴

[@5809AUJG]

Flawless beauty and grace. You have made my day lovely. Thank you. May these glorious horses and their wonderful riders and caretakers live forever!

[@horsecrazy4978]

When I was really little my aunt took me to see one of the stallion's shows. All I could really remember was the beautiful white dancing horses and the brilliant red and gold tack they wore. It was like a dream and some days I thought it was and were it not for a tiny stuffed white stallion my aunt bought me as a souvenir I would've thought it all a pleasant figment of my imagination. It's a joy to see them dancing once more even if it's just on my computer screen.

[@christinemartindale8715]

Absolutely stunning stallions they seem so at peace. Both riders have beautiful hands and seats pure perfection indeed. The grooms do a lovely job too I’m sure they are very much loved and spoilt.tfs.🏇😎🏇👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@annieh.8175]

I saw these beautiful horses perform twice...once in Vienna (a long time ago) and also when they came to Fort Myers, FL a few years ago. It is breathtaking to watch the precision in which they perform especially at the end when the horse actually kneels down with the rider on top of it and then gets up again. They are so beautiful and intelligent... they have to be to go through this kind of training. Thanks for sharing this beautiful video!

[@livetersknt3363]

Beautiful. What skill and coordination. I hope The School is still there, when COVID-19 is over.

[@Saartje05]

Of course it will be.

[@evansquilt]

They're reopening on the 19th.

[@joannagodfrey5111]

absolutely beautiful, calm and respectful connection between horses and riders, no flapping hands or legs, simply pure calm and trust

[@hallyandhidalgo]

How lovely. These horses and riders seem to be in perfect harmony.

[@maggiepie8810]

Another thing to keep in mind is how Lipizzaner horses are bred to have good proportions, soundness, and an excellent talent for collection. You don't see them having ridiculously long legs or hypermobile gaits/paces.

[@snickerswo1f519]

Most beautiful horse performance ive ever seen

[@littlebrookreader949]

Oh, WOW! Amazing. Gorgeous.

[@ToLoveTruth]

Stunningly beautiful horses, absolutely wonderful horsemanship...poetry to my eyes. ❤️

[@claypotts2334]

My mind is blown. My first time even seeing horses doing stuff like this, I have a new appreciation for horses

[@ratherbwithhorses]

Check our musical free style dressage. One of my favorites is a horse named Brentina.

[@Cricket-zp6wi]

Seeing such perfect synchronization is a real delight!

[@jolandameivogel9006]

So so beautiful!!! I wish every person who ones and ride a horse would do it like these people, than the 🌎 for horses would be so beautiful and whiteout fear and stress. Thank you for sharing! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@Saartje05]

I've been to a training, a long time ago. I'm not even sure if that's still possible. We visited the stables and after that the training. It was more a training of the riders. It's like an army. If people think these horses are being abused or have a bad life, lol, I wish I had that bad life. Big stables, fair training, they even have vacations. And, very important, the horses aren't too young. I think before they can enter a show, they're at least ten years old. That's why they're all white. As horse 'people' know, these horses are born black and it takes years before they're totally white. During the training the riders are the ones having a hard time. One riders complained about his horse not doing what he wanted and the trainer gave him a mouth full, right in front of the public.

[@51WCDodge]

The Lippazaner comes in many colours. tradition dictates that ina display , there is always a Lippazaner of another colour.

[@Chgtuber]

Absolutely stunning performance! Very clean and so graceful and controlled.

[@barbaras6792]

After a stressful morning, I sat down, with a cup of tea and watched this fabulous performance. I could just feel the stress ebbing away. Poetry in motion.

[@utahkay]

Bling!! I feel more comfortable now to add a bit of bling to my show bridle. 🤩

[@temoharri8848]

I hated it when the doors opened at the end...signaling that this magnificent exercise was over. Lipizzaners are wonderful and the riders were masterful.

[@littlerascaleventing]

Thanks again for posting this! So lovely and elegant.

[@indycuvilly7921]

it’s so cray how perfect this was i have trouble working alone but with two people you really have to make sure everything is together and perfect it’s such an art and they make it look so easy but they work that goes behind it is a lot it was amazing great show

[@Saartje05]

These people were trained for 12 years. It's takes a lot of work. The horses were trained at least 8 years.

[@indycuvilly7921]

@@Saartje05 It really takes time to do these things it was a great show overall

[@purpleravioli7452]

It was a pleasure to watch such wonderful horsemanship, thank you!

[@missmlb3842]

The curve of a horse's neck and how it prances is so beautiful to watch

[@randomvielleuse527]

Glorious in every way. Thank you for posting this.

[@KatrinaLPate]

I would give my first born to be able to ride one of these stallions. They are so handsome and graceful.

[@debrabolton9372]

Spectacular! Excellent horsemanship. Magnificent horses.

[@lindamusso4437]

Stunning ..perfection .. horse and rider are one !

[@heatherwolf3825]

Stunning! Breathtakingly beautiful! To be able to ride those magnificent creatures... Speechless! 🥰

[@ratherbwithhorses]

Tails swaying , horses and humans perfect together!

[@1915FadedBelly]

Just breathtakingly beautiful, calm and ordered.

[@margaretlocke7607]

My mother let me watch Florian when i was little. Of course i was enthralled

[@manicpixiefangirl4189]

There’s an old book called The White Stallion of Lipizza by Marguerite Henry (the same lady who wrote Misty of Chincoteague). All her books are wonderful and that one just did such an amazing job of not only telling a great story but giving you a great history lesson about the Riding School. It’s just wonderful that they keep this gorgeous equestrian tradition alive. ❤️

[@51WCDodge]

Have you tried reading any of Alois Podhajsky's books.To start I'd recommend My horses, My teachers.

[@catebannan7343]

Also an old book by Mary Stewart, “Airs Above the Ground”. A romance/ mystery, also with history of the Spanish Riding School, post WWII. A lovely read 😊, if into the gendre

[@catebannan7343]

Loved “My Horses, My Teachers “!

[@ladygrinningsoul992]

The way they change stride is amazing I’ll never be able to do that I’m not worthy ❤️

[@horse-lover68]

Not only you!! I am riding since I was 8 years and I never could do what these guys are doing. It is a balee

[@traceybullard2199]

Stunning, such control and elegance.

[@christineorlandi6215]

They are beautiful in person!!!

[@aryadragonlord7756]

Thats ..really working in a Team.... like it

[@SongMom8]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@comesahorseman]

Never stop riding. Never stop learning. 👏👏

[@Dana-eq5nz]

This provides hope and belief. And is a reminder that truly beautiful things exist and thrive...still and always🙏🤩. And the tack is amazing, WOW ❣️❣️

[@sunrider3238]

Absolutely beautiful ❤️ I loved the performance! I hope someday I can see it in real life:) beautiful horses and wonderful riders!

[@After9designNetwebdesign]

Perfection! Those tempe changes at the end were so smooth you hardly noticed them.

[@elainemoreland3908]

The most graceful ballet.

[@elainemoreland3908]

The perfect form of the rider's and beauty and grace of the horses had me in tears. Thank everyone who is involved for me.

[@Mainecoon_Izzy]

Brings me to tears, so beautiful....

[@raelean]

I had the pleasure of seeing these magnificent graceful dancing creatures in Brisbane Australia when I was young These beautiful creatures will always be in my heart 💖

[@NMWriterofWords]

The true beauty of a war horse

[@corinneyoung8166]

Magnifico !

[@cintiacimbaluk1245]

It's a wonderful show! It makes my heart so happy. The music chosen is great too. I would like to know the credits for that music.

[@Nrana9]

The People - Kyle Preston :)

[@cintiacimbaluk1245]

@@Nrana9 thank you so much for the credits ❤❤❤

[@jackiefleming7318]

One day I will get to visit and watch and admire these great riders and the beautiful horses

[@kelseyk530]

I'm lucky to see the Tempel Lippizans which are direct relatives of the original horses in Austria from the famous school. Mr. Tempel bought the horses, stallions and mares, over to a northern Illinois Chicago suburb...15 min from my home...in the late 50s and they've been there ever since. They have performances all summer for 3 months. It's an incredible place and I'm so lucky that it's almost literally in my backyard. I went to the 60th Anniversary Gala of theirs in 2018. They had guest riders and horses from Chile's top deesage school there for it. I would love to see the Austrian show and had planned on it but my health is so bad that now I'm going through assisted suicide in Switzerland. Wish I could've seen the European counterpart to the American counterpart I luckily grew up with and saw many shows and photographed and saw behind the scenes and even thought about being a working rider there. Tempel Lippizans in Wandsworth, IL at Temple Farms.

[@christineorlandi6215]

Only the stallions are used in the shows. The mares are only for breeding purpose. They are born black or dark brown. They change color as they get older. Read the biograph on the horses, very good!!

[@christins.1481]

In WWII the breed almost died out behind enemy lines. It took corporation of friendly nations to get these horses out of harm's way.

[@sophielorber4571]

This is wrong. Many mares are used as driving or riding horses.

[@sophielorber4571]

@Gi Gi That's exactly what I said. I live in Vienna.

[@kimhice4354]

Some of the stallions remain solid colors.. in fact, it’s considered good luck if a bay is born and doesn’t gray out.

[@juliepaul2244]

@@kimhice4354 They always have one in the performing group that is not white for that reason - that it's considered lucky. When I was there many years ago it was the horse that performed the 'courbette' - he was black and the contrast was most spectacular.

[@horse-lover68]

I am SO proud of being an Austrian citizan when I see this. They have to learn for year's (horses and riders) to get to this level!!🙋‍♀️❤️❤️🇦🇹🇦🇹

[@peregrination3643]

My mother's parents emigrated from Austria. I haven't visited myself, though always wanted to. But even from North America, I like to appreciate that my family is from the home of the Lipizzanners.

[@lorrainewaters6189]

lovely...note the soft hands

[@carolmurphy1948]

Beautiful done with such grace

[@janedesouza877]

What a wonderful show thank you x

[@catebannan7343]

Absolutely stunning 🤩

[@kimcedarsong]

A Beautiful Video. The Lipizzaner Stallions are in perfect union with the other, as they "dance" about the arena. I once started to learn Dressage, but due to a bad knee that kept popping out at inopportune moments, I was unable to continue. I've always loved riding horses with the English saddle. It's more about precision and balance than any other riding style I've come across. I remember when they came to Vermont. I so wanted to go see them, and unfortunately was never able to, due to work or other unforeseen events.

[@julesk764]

I do hope they get to do other things as well .like a good roll in a muddy field

[@lilianmcguigan9240]

Beauty, grace, precision...

[@thiawilliams9614]

Magnificent .

[@azazelswings6194]

My horse could never!😅 he hates a ring or anything closed in. These horses and riders are amazing!

[@meredithsheldon6978]

Beautiful

[@Miriam-ob8tz]

This was beautiful 🙂

[@shellt2390]

A joy to watch! Thank you😊

[@wendyallen732]

Absolutely breathe taking, 1 of my bucket list items to go to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and see them perform in person.

[@marilynbowe650]

Absolutely lovely!

[@federicolleras8995]

Thank you. Great video

[@lucentekids6805]

Excellent performance. The second piaffers were especially beautiful! What is the name of the piece they are performing to?

[@carolesherk4891]

Absolutely Gorgeous!