Lipizzaners set to dazzle Britain

The world famous white stallions of The Spanish Riding School of Vienna, are set to return to Britain this week for a two-centre tour sponsored by Horse & Hound.

The tour will visit two venues – Birmingham NEC and Wembley Arena – and will also feature the Band of the Blues and Royals, the Drum Horse and State Trumpeters from the Household Cavalry.

The dates are:

• Birmingham NEC 22-25 November 2001
• Wembley Arena 29-30 November and 1-2 DecemberThe great tradition of classical riding and the extravagant “airs above the ground” which date back to 1572 will once again be demonstrated by the Lipizzaner stallions and their trainer-riders in quadrilles, pas seul, pas de deux and work on long reins. The highlights of the programme, under the artistic direction of First Chief Rider Arthur Kottas-Heldenberg, includes:The Band of the Blues and Royals with the Drum Horse and Mounted Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry welcome the Lipizzaners.HORSES AND RIDERS
• Maestoso Basowizza First Chief Rider Kottas
• Siglavy Rindunica Chief Rider Krzisch
• Siglavy Allegra Chief Rider Riegler
• Conversano Toscana II Rider Hoyos
• Conversano Corvina Rider Eder
• Siglavy Famosa Rider Radnetter
• Siglavy Narenta Rider Hausberger
• Conversano Undine I Rider Bauer
• Conversano Nima Cadet Rider RostekSteps and movements of the classical schoolIntroducing those horses which have been trained in the principles of classical horsemanship. The rider and the horse execute the most difficult movements with apparent ease and effortlessness. These exercises are required of dressage riders in the most demanding international competitions.HORSES AND RIDERS
• Maestoso Basowizza First Chief Rider Kottas
• Siglavy Rindunica Chief Rider Krzisch
• Conversano Toscana II Rider Hoyos
• Siglavy Narenta Rider HausbergerPas de DeuxA performance by highly trained horses in perfect lines and figures to the strict rhythm of the musicHORSES AND RIDERS
• Conversano Corvina Rider Eder
• Conversano Undine I Rider BauerON THE SHORT REIN IN HANDThese exercises prepare the stallion for the “Schools above the Ground” and also teach the piaffe (a trot on the spot with the haunches deeply bent).When this movement is mastered it is performed between the pillars. The exercises on the short hand rein enable the trainer to decide for which of the movements of the “Schools above the Ground” each stallion is best suited.HORSES AND RIDERS
• Maestoso Platana II First Chief Rider Kottas
• Neapolitano Kitty II Chief Rider Krzisch
• Neapolitano Madar Chief Rider Riegler
• Pluto Servola Rider Hoyos
• Siglavy Tcs”k Rider Eder
• Siglavy Materia Rider Radnetter
• Favory Plutona Rider HausbergerON THE LONG REINA challenge to which only the best trained stallioncan respond. Controlled only by the long reins and the touch of a light switch, the riderless horse executes all the dressage steps and movements of the haute ecole.HORSE AND RIDER
• Conversano Isabella – Rider HausbergerSCHOOLS ABOVE THE GROUNDOnly the most gifted stallions, with great physical strength and an unusually high intelligence, can perform these movements which are based on natural behaviour.HORSES AND RIDERS
• Favory Superba Chief Rider Riegler
• Favory Romana Rider Eder
• Siglavy Materia Rider Radnetter
• Neapolitano Nima I Cadet Rider RostekTHE MOVEMENTSLEVADE – Squatting deep on its haunches, the stallion slowly lifts his forefeet off the ground and maintains this position in perfect balanceCOURBETTE – One of the most difficult of the “Schools above the Ground”. The horse raises itself as in the Levade, and then takes several leaps forwards on its hind legs, while maintaining its upright position.CAPRIOLE – The horse leaps with all four feet off the ground and, at the height of its leap and with its body horizontal in the air, kicks out with its hind legs.SCHOOL QUADRILLEThe Ballet of the White Stallions, which recalls the baroque splendours of Imperial court celebrations in Vienna’s Hofburg. This demands the utmost concentration form horse and rider, to be able to perform the intricately choreographed figures with such precision and apparently playful ease.HORSES AND RIDERS
• Conversano Toscana I First Chief Rider Kottas
• Conversano Amata II Chief Rider Krzisch
• Siglavy Allegra Chief Rider Riegler
• Siglavy Galanta Rider Hoyos
• Siglavy Famosa Rider Radnetter
• Conversano Dagmar Rider Hausberger
• Siglavy Superba Rider Bauer
• Conversano Nima Cadet Rider Rostek Programme subject to alterationFor more information visit www.spanishridingschool.comTickets for the shows are priced between £15-£55 (subject to booking fee) and are available from NEC (tel:0870 010 0616), Wembley Arena (tel: 0870 736 6969, Ticketmaster (tel: 0870 077 2001), First Call (tel: 0870 906 3714).

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