By Kay Cole, June 28, 2017 – Founded in the 16th century for the exclusive use of the Hapsburg Royal family of Austria, the Royal Lipizzans are unquestionably the rarest, most aristocratic breed of horses in the world. The pride of the Hapsburg Empire, the Lipizzan breed was first established by Archduke Charles at Lipizza (now part of Yugoslavia). All Airs Above the Ground, a term originally outlined by Xenophon the Greek, derives from defensive horsemanship created for war and predated-dated the birth of Christ by some 400 years. These spectacular leaps and plunges were originally meant for use by mounted riders to inspire terror in the hearts of foot soldiers.
Only a few hundred of these horses have ever existed at any one time. Indeed, it is a contemporary miracle of sorts that this precious bloodline is not extinct, having barely been saved by General George Patton from the Russian advance during World War II. The Lipizzans’ celebrated escape was recounted in the Walt Disney movie, “Miracle of the White Stallions”.
Assisting Patton in the clandestine mission to rescue the regal Lipizzans, Colonel Herrmann and his father, Colonel Ottomar Herrmann, Sr., smuggled the horses out from far behind enemy lines, riding at night and hiding by day. “We moved out into the night with nothing,” recalled Herrmann, “only a handful of horses”. The Lipizzans’ they saved under the protection granted by Patton, were “more precious than jewels”, he declared.
Colonel Herrmann, joined by two subsequent generations of Herrmanns, created an American renaissance of classical equitation’s. His family maintains a 200 acre ranch in Florida to ensure the propagation of this extraordinary breed.
That this nearly lost art remains alive, is due in very large part, to the commitment of Colonel Herrmann, scion of the Herrmann family, and historically among the world’s greatest trainers of this rare breed. In a lively and informative narrative throughout the presentation of his remarkable stallions, the history, evolution and contemporary application of this most sophisticated horse and rider training is recounted. It is repeatedly noted that extreme patience and, most particularly, love are the requisites to such highly schooled animals. Herrmann epitomized the master of classical European equitation.
What else I learned:
Gabriella Hermann, granddaughter of family, leads the show and educates us as we watch.
There are actually 6 pure bred lines in the horses. To prevent over-breeding, the lines are occasionally bred with the Alusian horse.
Lipizzans are born brown and slowly become totally white by the age of 8.
Lipizzans live to be at least 40 years old. Their trainers and riders are with them since they were young. It is a life-time commitment.
They love applause. They are trained by using treats, affection, and applause from the audience. You can see their reaction.