The Spanish Riding School's Horsemen: Ranked And Reviewed

The Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, is a world-renowned institution dedicated to classical dressage and the training of Lipizzaner horses, with a history spanning over 450 years. It is one of the Big Four most prestigious classical riding academies globally. The school's performances, showcasing the graceful movements of its horses, attract audiences from around the world. While the school has a long tradition of male riders, it began admitting women in 2008, marking a significant step towards inclusivity.

The school's training process is meticulous and extensive. Riders must be 16-25 years old and approximately 172 cm tall, with basic riding knowledge. The training is conducted in German, requiring applicants to possess adequate language skills. The program includes working with young stallions, perfecting dressage movements, and mastering complex jumps.

The Spanish Riding School's heritage is deeply rooted in military traditions, dating back to Ancient Greece and the post-medieval ages. The school's name originates from the Spanish horses kept by Emperor Ferdinand I, who had stables built at Vienna Castle in the 16th century. Over time, the school transitioned from military training to a centre of classical equitation, with a focus on the Haute Ecole tradition.

The school's performances are a testament to the bond between rider and horse, showcasing intricate choreography and elegant movements. The Winter Riding School, built between 1729 and 1735, serves as a breathtaking backdrop for these displays.

History of the Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, is steeped in history and is the only institution in the world that has practised classical equitation in the tradition of the Haute École since the Renaissance. The school was first named during the Habsburg Monarchy in 1565, making it the oldest of its kind in the world. The "Spanish" part of its name comes from the Spanish horses that were ancestors of the Lipizzaners, which were highly sought-after in the royal court at the time.

The origins of the Spanish Riding School can be traced back to the mid-1500s, when there was a resurgence in equestrianism, influenced by the need for more intelligent use of horses in battle as riders began to use firearms. Archduke Maximilian, who later became Emperor Maximilian II, systematically bred Spanish horses from around 1562. He founded the first Imperial Stud in 1564 at Kladrub in Bohemia. His brother, Archduke Karl II, shared his interest in breeding Spanish horses and established the Imperial Karst Stud near Lipizza in 1580. The Lipizzan breed takes its name from this stud, which is now called Lipica and is located in modern-day Slovenia.

While documents indicate that the first "Spanish Riding School" may have been built in 1572, it wasn't until over a century later, between 1729 and 1735, that Emperor Charles VI commissioned architect Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach to construct the white riding hall that is still used today. The Winter Riding School, located inside the Hofburg in central Vienna, features a hall that measures 55 by 18 metres (180 by 59 ft) and is 17 metres (56 ft) tall. The hall is predominantly white, with some beige and light grey accents. It is adorned with a portrait of Emperor Charles VI, located above the royal box and opposite the entrance, towards which the riders always salute before riding.

The Spanish Riding School has a rich history rooted in military traditions dating back to Ancient Greece and the post-medieval ages. The school's training methods are based on François Robichon de la Gueriniere, focusing on strengthening the horse's body and mind rather than direct combat applications. The school has become a renowned tourist attraction, showcasing the graceful movements of the Lipizzaner stallions and the skilled horsemanship that has been passed down for over 400 years.

Training of the horses

The Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, is dedicated to the preservation of classical dressage and the training of Lipizzaner horses. The school is one of the "Big Four", the most prestigious classical riding academies in the world. The training of the horses includes relaxation exercises, the refinement and perfection of lections, as well as the targeted strengthening of muscles. The horses are trained in three stages:

Remontenschule ("forward riding")

This stage begins when the horse is first brought to the Spanish Riding School as a 4-year-old. The stallion is taught to be saddled and bridled, and is started on the longe to teach him the aids, to improve his obedience, and to strengthen his muscles in preparation for a rider. Work on the longe includes transitions between the walk, trot, and canter, and changes of tempo within the gait. After longeing, the horse is ridden in an arena on straight lines, to teach him to respond correctly to the rider's aids while mounted. The main goals during this time are to develop free forward movement and improve the animal's strength and stamina.

Campagneschule ("campaign school")

The horse is usually ready for the second stage after a year of riding in the first stage, although this time frame is always adjusted to the individual horse. Young stallions are always placed with experienced riders during this second stage to help prevent the development of bad habits. During this time, he is taught collection and is ridden in turns and circles at all gaits. The main purpose of this phase is to develop impulsion, improve the natural paces, promote self-carriage, make the horse supple and flexible, and gradually develop the muscles of the horse. The horse will learn to bend correctly in the neck, body, and poll. This phase requires the most time of the three, generally two-thirds of the total time it takes to produce the "finished" horse.

Hohe Schule ("high school" or Haute Ecole)

In this final stage, the rider will gradually push the horse to perfection in straightness, contact, suppleness, collection, and impulsion, to produce improved gaits. Through this work, the horse will learn to perform some of the most difficult movements such as pirouette, passage, piaffe and One-Tempi Changes. The stallions are then assessed to determine if they are suitable for the demanding "airs above the ground," the final step in their training. Once they are chosen, the horses are taught their most suitable school jump, first on the ground and then under the saddle.

Training of the riders

The Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, is the only institution in the world that has practised classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the Haute Ecole for over 450 years. The training of the riders is a meticulous process that involves several stages, ensuring they develop the necessary skills to handle the Lipizzaner horses with precision and grace.

The first stage of training for riders at the Spanish Riding School is called "Remontenschule" or "forward riding". Riders initially work without stirrups and reins, honing their balance and independence on horseback. They ride well-trained horses on a longe for up to three years, learning to respond correctly to the horse's aids. This foundational phase is crucial for developing a deep understanding of horsemanship and building a solid base for the more advanced techniques to come.

Once they have mastered the basics, riders are allowed to control the animals themselves under the supervision of an experienced rider. This phase can take up to four years of intensive training until they are proficient in the high school movements. The riders learn to perform intricate movements such as pirouettes, passage, piaffe, and one-tempi changes.

The next step is for the rider to train a young stallion from scratch, guiding it through the same stages they have already mastered. This process usually takes an additional four to six years, as the rider imparts their knowledge and refines their skills. The young stallions are selected for their jumping ability and stamina, and the riders play a pivotal role in their transformation into "professors", a term used for the fully trained Lipizzaner horses.

The final stage, known as "Hohe Schule" or "high school", is where both rider and horse strive for perfection. The rider pushes the horse to excel in straightness, contact, suppleness, collection, and impulsion, resulting in the execution of the most demanding movements. The horses learn to perform pirouettes, passage, piaffe, and One-Tempi-Changes with elegance and precision. The riders' skills are honed to the point where they can guide their horses through complex manoeuvres with ease, showcasing the ultimate harmony between horse and rider.

The training of the riders at the Spanish Riding School is a testament to their dedication and commitment to excellence. Through years of disciplined practice, they master the art of classical horsemanship, preserving a tradition that has endured for centuries.

Performances

The Winter Riding School, where performances take place, was built between 1729 and 1735 and is located in the Hofburg Palace in central Vienna. The hall is mainly white, with some beige and light grey, and measures 55 by 18 metres, with a height of 17 metres. Above the royal box, opposite the entrance, hangs a portrait of Emperor Charles VI, to whom the riders always salute before they ride.

The performances showcase the training and skills of the Lipizzaner stallions, from young, boisterous stallions to the fully trained School Stallions. The horses perform choreographed steps, various gaits, changes of steps, and jumps, all in a stylised form. The highlight of the show is the School Quadrille, a very difficult dance with eight Lipizzaner horses, choreographed to historic dance music from the time of the Viennese Congress. The performance requires intense concentration from both horse and rider, with communication solely through body language.

The program begins with the "Young Stallions" section, where horses recently arrived from the Piber Stud Farm in Styria demonstrate the first phase of their training. This is followed by the "All Steps and Movements of the High School" section, where four fully trained stallions perform each of the movements seen in the Olympic Grand Prix Dressage test, including flying changes, passage, pirouette, and piaffe. The "Pas De Deux" is then shown, with two horses demonstrating mirror-image High School movements.

The next section is the "Work in Hand," which showcases how the horses are trained for school jumps like the levade, capriole, and courbette. This is followed by the "On the Long Rein" section, where a fully trained Lipizzan performs all the movements it would be asked to do under saddle, wearing a red snaffle bridle and shabrack with the golden coat of arms of the Austrian Empire.

The "Airs Above the Ground" follows, where all horses are under saddle, but the riders do not use stirrups. The horses perform demanding jumps like the levade, capriole, and courbette. The performance concludes with the "School Quadrille," featuring eight riders working in formation at the walk, trot, and canter, with flying changes, pirouettes, half-pass, and passage, all performed to classical music.

The Spanish Riding School's performances are a true display of the collaboration and trust between rider and horse, set against the backdrop of a stunning Baroque riding hall, historical uniforms, and classical Viennese music.

The horses

The Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, is the only institution in the world that has practised and continues to cultivate classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the Haute École for over 450 years. It is one of the "Big Four" most prestigious classical riding academies globally. The school is dedicated to preserving classical dressage and training Lipizzaner horses, whose performances are also a tourist attraction.

Lipizzaner horses, Europe's oldest domesticated breed, are exclusively trained at the Spanish Riding School. These horses are known for their grey colour, although there are currently three non-grey Lipizzaners in the stud, considered good luck charms. As foals, they are born with dark coats but usually turn grey by 6-10 years of age. They are medium-sized, compact, and have a lot of temperament, making them excellent for dressage. The school trains about 120 stallions, with around 14 fully trained riders working with 5-8 horses each.

The training of Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School begins when they are around four years old. The "Remontenschule" or "forward riding" stage teaches the horse to be saddled and bridled and improves its obedience and muscle strength. This is followed by the "Campagneschule" or "campaign school" stage, where the horse is taught collection and ridden in turns and circles. The final stage is the "Hohe Schule" or "high school," where the rider pushes the horse to perfection in straightness, contact, suppleness, collection, and impulsion.

The Spanish Riding School's horses are carefully selected for their skills and stamina. The Lipizzaner horses are bred at the Piber Stud Farm in Styria, and the young stallions with the best abilities are chosen for training. During gala performances, the horses perform various gaits, changes of steps, and jumps in a stylised form, showcasing the perfect harmony between rider and horse.

The school's horses are well-cared for and given breaks from training. The Heldenberg in Lower Austria is the third site of the Spanish Riding School, where the stallions are trained and exercised. During the summer, the horses are taken to the summer stables in Heldenberg-Wetzdorf-Lower Austria for seven weeks of relaxation in stalls with paddocks.

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