Herrmann's Royal Lipizzaner Stallions of Austria......AMAZING

Mom and Brenda arrived to "not so sunny Florida"....but the next day got better so we all went to see the Lipizzaner Stallions during a practice show. They train here during the summer and we'd never been...shame on us...it was really neat.

They only ask for a $5 donation, more if you'd like, and you get a 1 to 1.5 hour show. They are still training, so there are no fancy costumes and there are mistakes, but it's still really fascinating. We toured the barn before the show while enjoying a hotdog....we were starving. Surprisingly, a friend of ours is one of the trainers so we got to learn a little extra about the horses. She is the only non-family member of this all female riding team.
They are born black and it takes 5-7 yrs for them to turn all white. They perform for many years and then they let the trainers know when they don't want to anymore. There were 3 horses in their stalls that were either lying down or had their backs turned to us. We were told this was their way of saying, "I'm done, don't bother me". Amy told us that as soon as the public leaves, they start sticking their heads out of theirs stalls like all the others. Since they give their younger years to performing the company takes care of them in their golden years....a pretty cool idea.

A few barn pictures:

This is posted inside the barn ....pretty cool

Note the braided mane....

Long gray mane...he is a teenager and full of spunk

They have grandstands set up for the show....and Gabriella Herrmann was the MC. She is the daughter of he man that started this business. She did a wonderful job. At the beginning, they play a recording of her father introducing the show, he is gone now, so that was pretty cool.

And the show began....they did single riders and 3-5 at a time doing formations to the music...was amazing to watch. They start each show with a prayer and the National Anthem

This is our friend Amy...she did a great job

All the moves up on the hind legs or kicking with hind legs was all part of the show...the horses were doing as they had been instructed.....

This is Gabriella riding....and training

See his legs crossed, as he takes a bow.....awesome


This is 5 riders at once...they did an amazing routine....

One last bow......

It was a great show and at the end we got to see a 2 kids that are learning to ride ...one day they will be able to ride with the "big boys"

The weather was a little dicey, but it was a wonderful afternoon. If you are in the area, it is worth your time.

http://hlipizzans.com/

Just a few short videos frommy 2nd visit to see these amazing horses.....