The Lipizzan Horse
The Lipizzan breed was founded in 1580 by the Hapsburg Arch Duke Charles at the village of Lipzza near Trieste, Italy in what is now Slovenia. The breed was founded upon six Spanish stallions and mares of the local Karst area. The Karst horses were known for their high quality since the Romans used them as chariot racers. The stud farm flourished producing excellent horses for the Duke and other nobles. By 1735 Lipizzans were first shown at the famous Spanish Riding School of Vienna and have been in use there ever since. After that time until the fall of the Hapsburg Empire in World War I, Lipizza was the Imperial Stud of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Lipizza continues to breed Lipizzans today as do several other European stud farms, however the horses for the Spanish Riding School are now provided from the Austrian Federal Stud Farm of Piber.

From the foundation of the breed only fully trained Lipizzan stallions have been returned to the stud for breeding, thereby passing on the characteristics of temperament, trainability, agility, and strength to the next generation. The physical attributes of the Lipizzan are as follows: Average height: about 15-15.2 hands, the range is between 14 and 16 hands. Large bone and good substance, high set muscular neck, large prominent eyes, medium length back, short cannon bones, large solid hooves with thick hoof walls, slightly rounded croups, noble heads that can vary from slightly Arabian-like to arched, strong movement, some with high knee action suitable for driving, others with a longer dressage action, but all moving well from behind.

The mental attributes are as follows: High intelligence, gentle nature, self-assurance: not prone to shying or stable vises, individualistic unique personalities.

The first imports of Lipizzans to the United States were of high quality. Stock from Pibes, Lipizza, and Slavasvarad, Hungary gave American breeders a broader genetic base than was available in Europe until the fall of the Iron Curtain. There are about 3,500 to 4,000 purebred Lipizzans in the world today with about 500 to 600 in the U.S.

Even with this small number, Lipizzans are making a mark as competitive dressage horses. In 1989 a Lipizzan crossbred, Crescendo won the USDF Horse of the Year at Grand Prix. In 1990 a purebred, Siglavy II Dulcibella, won the same award as well as Horse of the Year at Grand Prix Freestyle, the first time in USDF history that the same horse had won both awards in one year.

Other Lipizzans of note competing at International levels now or in the recent past are Maestoso II Sabrina in California, Tulipan Neapol in Georgia, Siglavy II Sandra in Florida, Conversano Sarissa and Conversano Belvadera in Illinois. Several other Lipizzans are competing at lower levels very successfully.

In the Northwest Conversano II Pirouetta, Maestoso II Primavera, Maestoso II Geatana, Ambrosia, Cascadia, Conversano II Natasha, Kikia, Pluto III Pirouetta, Siglavy Americana and partbred, Maestro KS (to mention just a few) have all performed successfully in open competitions with many wins show high-point, circuit and regional awards within the group.

Lipizzans are also very competitive driving horses. Hungarian teams have won the World Cup Four-in-hand competition and are consistently on the top. Well-known British whip, George Bowman, drove a team to the British Championship. Nadia, a purebred mare won two training level combined driving events and archived a second place at preliminary level in her first full season showing in the Northwest.

As a general riding horse and family horse the Lipizzan is an excellent choice. Although one might think of them as pampered, they are hardy and require only normal care. Lipizzans get along well with people of all ages and abilities. The very characteristics that have made them famous dressage horses - confidence, medium size, and trainability - make them practical everyday riding horses.

How do you fault the Lipizzan breed? Well, you don't have too much color selection. Most, though born dark, will eventually turn gray. Only about one in five hundred will remain bay, brown, or black their entire life.

The starting price of a Lipizzan purebred foal is about $5,000. Three year olds are about $7,500 to $8,500. The prices of trained horses and exceptional individuals can be much higher. Occasionally older horses may sell for less. And, of course, there is always the odd "fire" sale. Partbreds are generally a less expensive way to get involved with the breed. Several farms in the Northwest have both purebreds and partbreds for sale.

The breeding of purebred horses has been closely monitored since the inception of the breed. The American Lipizzan Breeders Association provides inspection of breeding stock, training for breeders and potential judges, and keeps a stud book of inspected horses. It is affiliated with the International Organization, the Lipizzan International Federation and the Spanish Riding School.