World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions perform tonight at Civic Arena
The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions will be dancing on air in their 38th anniversary show tonight at Civic Arena.
The show draws equine aficionados from all over, but you don’t need to know anything about horses to enjoy it.
“Once you see it and the wonder of what the horses can do, it’s amazing,” says Kathy Brock, Civic Arena manager.
But if you learn more about these white stallions and their history, you will see why they continue to fascinate audiences.
The breed was developed more than 450 years ago by the royal family of Austria for dressage, a classical form of riding, explains Troy Tinker, master of ceremonies. For many years they were allowed only to be owned by the royal family under penalty of death. Today, there are fewer than 4,000 registered in the world.
The stallions actually are born dark brown or black, Tinker says, and it takes them six to 10 years to turn white. But it’s their physical abilities that are amazing. They have a center of gravity that enables them to do big leaps and jumps called “airs above the ground.” This ability also made them the war horse of choice throughout Europe.
It’s what they did during peace time that is featured in the show. Composers, such as Mozart, would debut new pieces of music in events at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Tinker says, with the added visual of the horses dancing to it.
“And that is what we do with our show,” he explains. “We set the steps and movements of dressage to music in an equine ballet. In addition, you will see the leaps and jumps they are famous for — the airs above the ground.”
He says it’s a combination of classical music, history and horsemanship. And it continues to attract audiences year after year because it becomes a family heritage.
“Every child that sees it with their parents ... ” Tinker says, “as they grow up they take their children to see it. It’s a wonderful way to plant seeds in kids minds and get them to want to learn more.”
Lifestyles reporter Sylvia Anderson may be reached
at sylviaanderson@npgco.com
What: The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Civic Arena, 100 N. Fourth St., 271-4717
Tickets: Available at the door for $26.50 and $21.50
Doors open at 6 p.m. $2 off for seniors and children under 12
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