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A wonderful new line was introduced to Australia last year, with the importation of the Pure Bred Stallion, Favory Nausica from France. This is the first import of the breed since the 1970’s.

The Lipizzaner is a very rare and very special breed of horse, with only around 3000 in the world. The European Union has declared the breed, “rare and endangered”.  Founded in 1580 by the Austrian Arch Duke Charles, due to a shortage of pure Spanish horses in central Europe. So much in demand was this type of horse, that it was decided that a replacement Baroque horse was urgently needed.

Stallions and mares of mainly Spanish descent, were imported from many parts of Europe and the resulting cross is similar to the Lipizzaner horse of today,

Bonnie (Favory Napolitano X Bonita) an Australian bred mare, and owned by Tony & Simmone Kalanj

although further out cross to the Arab in the last 200 years has given the breed more lightness and refinement.

An earth quake and fire in the 16 hundreds destroyed all the original stud book records and consequently today pedigrees can only be traced as far back as the importation of a new mare line in 1714.

There are six original male lines in the world today dating from the 1700’s. The first of the new stallion lines was the Royal Danish horse Pluto, born in 1765, followed by a black stallion named Conversano of the now extinct Italian breed – the Neapolitan. Next came the stallion Favory, of Kladruber breeding. The last line introduced during this century is the brown horse named Neapolitano from Northern Italy.

In the 1800’s there was introduced the last two original lines, the pure

 Arab – Siglavy and finally the half Neapolitan and half Spanish horse named Maestoso.

Description and Conformation of a Lipizzaner

The Lipizzaner, is a horse of medium height, International standard of excellence dictates that a mare is 15 English hands in height and a stallion is 15.2 – 15.3, with some fine examples of stallions at 16hh.

They are predominately grey in colour, with brown or bay occasionally occurring. Chestnuts are bred mainly in Romania, but most enthusiasts do not desire this colour. 

The Spanish Riding School of Vienna traditionally always retains a bay or brown coloured horse for performances. As the ancient superstition dictates that should one not be kept, the institution could fall on bad times and be forced to close its doors. So far over the centuries this belief seems to have

Pluto Conversano III

Standard of Excellence of the Lipizzaner

The head should appear of medium length, showing good expression and breeding. Ears should give the appearance of being shorter and broader, the eyes large open and expressive. Head profile can vary from slightly aquiline, to gently Roman, with the old heavy Rams heads and Convex heads no longer allowed by international breeding standards. Good width between the eyes should be noticeable.

The neck should be crested, but definitely not too heavy, either at the top, or too thick under the neck. Shoulders should show good slope; back should be even length with the neck. Hindquarters should be well rounded, but not too heavy. Tail carried with a set.

The horse’s body should give the impression of robustness and strength without heaviness. The legs give an appearance of being slightly shorter to facilitate well-executed “airs above the ground”- levades, piaffe and coubette, all of which were originally military movements. Chest is strong, of medium width and hoofs perfectly shaped and rounded. Movement should be rhythmical and expressive, displaying good knee and hock action.

Disciplines of the Lipizzaner

Described as one of the world’s finest dual purpose riding and driving horses, the Lipizzaner is difficult to surpass at both the classical dressage movements and his ability as a competition driving horse. It has been predicted that in future advanced level and higher dressage horses will contain some Lipizzaner blood to give them added elasticity, collection and cadence.

Mares & foals leaving the barn at Piber in Austria

As a ridden horse it has been made famous by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna - the oldest riding institution in the world. 

In driving this breed needs no introduction, being for years a favored choice of drivers from many countries. Successful, at international driving competitions, including the world “Four In Hand” where they have won or placed on numerous occasions.

The Lipizzaner horse is recommended for the experienced rider or driver, and can take such a horseman to the top of his or her respective equine sport.

Australian Lipizzaner Registry (ALR)

This organization was founded in 1995 to facilitate the implementation of the Lipizzaner breed in Australia into the International Lipizzaner Register.

The ALR is the only society for the breed in Australia that is a member of/or recognised by the International Body – this being, The Lipizzan International Federation.

Each year an international meeting is held for the breed in Europe, and Australia is regularly represented at this meeting.

A young brood mare in the stables at the National Stud, Piber in Austria

Standards that this registry, the LIF, has set for the breed are high and include accreditation of all Purebred Lipizzaner horses for adult registration before they are entered into the International Stud Book.

Accreditors are of the highest International standing, with our very first inspection of the horses here in Australia being in 1999. The horse’s were accredited and passed by Dr. Oulehla, director of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.  Dr.Oulehla described our Australian Lipizzaners as being“of wonderful Baroque type”.

Members of the Australian Lipizzaner Registry have performed at all levels of competition, including breed and ridden classes at shows and demonstration days for the breed. A number of horses in Australia have also exhibited their ability going to “Prix St George” level in dressage and one horse team has been runner up at the National “four in hand driving” titles.