Phenomenon of the Lipizzans

THESE HORSES ARE NOT ONLY KNOWN FOR THEIR BEAUTY AND GRACE, BUT ALSO FOR THEIR INTELLIGENCE AND TEMPERAMENT. THEY ILLUSTRATE A UNIQUE CONNECTION AMONG HUMANS AND ANIMALS. HORSE- LOVERS ARE enthusiastic about THIS UNIQUE CONNECTION ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

FEI World Driving Championship for pairs 2013 in Topoľčianky, Slovakia: Breeding is always also a targeted selection of performance. Lipizzans with their team.

The Lipizzans are one of the most fascinating horse breeds of the world. They combine a unique combination of grace and elegance, performance and historical significance. Originally bred in the stud farms of the Habsburg Empire, the Lipizzan represents the oldest European pure-bred horse. Over the centuries, the Lipizzans have found their own place in the world of equestrian- and driving sports. Their distinctive appearance and majestic demeanor make them a real feast for the eyes.

Their unique character and an unwavering personality, that cannot be described but must be experienced, makes the Lipizzans a true phenomenon.

Their extraordinary abilities are displayed in various aptitude for dressage, driving sport and leisure activities. This horse breed has a long tradition as the ‘ballet of horses, the ‘High school of classical horsemanship’, classical dressage and the famous school jumps of the “Schools Above Earth”, which are showcased at the Spanish Riding School and similar institutions worldwide. They are a true work of art and a reflection of the spiritual connection between humans and animals. Because of this exceptional connection they are especially highly successful in driving sports.

The Lipizzans are also known for their outstanding intelligence and their enthusiastic nature. They are often celebrated as living legends. In their presence, history, culture, equestrian and driving sports merge into a moving experience that has captured the hearts of horse-lovers around the world.


IN 2022, ‘THE KNOWLEDGE AND TRADITIONS OF BREEDING THE LIPIZZAN HORSE WAS ADDED TO THE UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY. ABOUT 91% OF ALL LIPIZZANS ARE GRAY TODAY, ALTHOUGH IN PRINCIPLE ALL COLORS ARE POSSIBLE. THEY ARE BORN WITH DARK COATS AND USUALLY LIGHTEN AT THE AGE OF SIX TO TEN YEARS. THERE ARE EIGHT progenitors OF STALLIONS AND 18 CLASSIC FAMILIES OF MARES. LIPIZZANERS ARE VERY LONG-LIVED.

★★★★★

Quick facts about Lipizzans

Important Sources on Lipizzans

NATIONAL STUD FARM TOPOĽČIANKY

First home of Maestoso X Timrava and one of the most significant stud farms in the countries of origin in Europe.

nztopolcianky.sk
Link to Website
State stud farm REDEFIN

Second home of Maestoso X Timrava and EU insemination station in the state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.

landgestuet-redefin.de
Link to Website
Lipizzan International Federation

The Lipizzan International Federation is the umbrella organization for all Lipizzan National Stud Farms and all known breeding organizations (one recognized breeding association per country) in the world.

lipizzan-online.com
Link to Website
Lipizzaner Zuchtverband Deutschland e.V.

The Lipizzan Breeding Association of Germany e.V. is the contact in Germany for breeding Lipizzan horses.

lipizzanerzuchtverband.de
Link to Website

Futher importent informations about Lipizzans can be found on


THE KNOWLEDGE OF BREEDING LIPIZZAN HORSES

The knowledge was registered to the ‘Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO on December 1, 2022, in Rabat, Morocco.

The intangible cultural heritage includes among other things, experiential knowledge, traditional crafts, etc.

Therefore, the knowledge of breeding Lipizzan horses can be defined more likely as a science.

For several centuries, the knowledge of pure breeding has been consigned. The foundation for this are the continued original stud books, handwritten and dating back to the beginnings. They document the development.

For the preservation and dissemination of knowledge, head of the breeding board (in countries of descendant called accountant of stud books ) of state stud farms and national stud farms in the countries of origin are responsible.

Hengststamm Maestoso
Line of Maestoso. An example: Museum of the National Stud Farm Topoľčianky, Slovak Republic. Pedigree of the father of Maestoso X Timrava. The line of Maestoso is very successfully survived of pure breeding in Topoľčianky.
Ein Generationen-Beispiel: Deckhengst Neapolitano VII Perletta Mitte der 70iger Jahre im Slowakischen Nationalgestüt Topoľčianky vor dem Hintergrund des gleichnamigen Schlosses. Dieser Deckhengst ist einer der Vorfahren der 3. Generation mütterlicherseits von Maestoso X Timrava.

A example of past generations: The approved stallion Neapolitano VII Perletta mid-70s at the National Stud Farm Topoľčianky, Slovakia. In the background the eponymous castle Topoľčianky. This stallion is an ancestors on the maternal side, one of the 3. generation of Maestoso X Timrava.

The qualification of management of original stud books is very different internationally. There is a wide array of qualifications; from majoring to minor in breeding (including degree dissertation) to hobbyists.

It is a task of generations for generations to survive the species of Lipizzan horses, particularly in pure breeding. Directly affecting both: Humans and quadrupeds.

The challenge of pure breeding Lipizzan horses refers to the past generations and the future generations. The inbreeding coefficient copulating should be kept as low as possible. Ideally the mating would be clear of in-breeding. Therefore, calculating the inbreeding coefficient requires not only mathematical knowledge but also complex, sophisticated understanding of the entire inherited pure breeding and its practice.

In contrast to other horse breeds, the population of Lipizzan horses worldwide is extremely low. This is why the high profound challenge of knowledge of breeding Lipizzan horses.

One of the oldest “cultural breeds” of Europe, the Lipizzaner has been on the list of EU of endangered domestic animal breeding since 1982.

Literature Tips

Auf den Spuren der Lipizzaner


About the stud farms and offspring areas of the Lipizzans about 400 years of traditional horse breeding.
(Book in German language)
Author: Heinz Nürnberg
ISBN: 9783487083933

Lipizzaner

Complete overview – Tracing the path of Europe’s oldest cultural horse breed. The result of 25 years of intensive studies. (Book in German Language)
Author: Heinz Nürnberg
ISBN: 9783894324049

Gespräche mit einem Pferdemann Dr. Rudolf Lessing

60 years of experience with horses, 78 years of life experience, and a laundry basket full of pictures and documents are encapsulated in this book. (book in German language)
Author: Dietbert Arnold
ISBN: ‎978-3980472210

Der Lipizzaner im Spiegel der Wissenschaft


“Classical riding is skill and science.” This statement by Hans Hadler, a former long-time director of the Spanish Riding School, is in a way a motto of this book. (Book in German Language)
Author: Gottfried Brem
ISBN: ‎9783700169178

A JOURNEY THROUGH THE Lipizzan STUD FARMS OF EUROPE


On the occasion of the joint application for inclusion in the UNESCO, available of order: turizmus@nztopolcianky.sk
Author: Ing. Dalibor Gregor
ISBN: ‎978-8087731291

100th Anniversary Topoľčianky


Available of order: turizmus@nztopolcianky.sk
Authors: Ing. Michal Horný, PhD, Ing. Emil
Kovalčík, PhD, Mgr Martina Nittnaus, Ing. Dalibor Gregor
ISBN: ‎978-8087731413

TOPOĽČIANSKE LIPICANY V UNESCO


Author: Ing. Dalibor Gregor
ISBN: ‎978-8087731499

A Multifaceted Life

“”The following photos are not high-quality animal photography, but rather meaningful snapshots ‘taken from the life of Maestoso X Timrava’. They were never intended to be just beautiful Lipizzan photos. The photos accompany the story of our stallion some kind of picture book. The purely technical quality has evolved over the years. Nevertheless, the galleries on our website already convey well the fascination of these beautiful animals.

The early years in Topoľčianky

Grange Hostie: Rearing the offspring of Lipizzans.
In the carriage and pair on the way to the foaling mares herd at Hostie.
A well-known vantage point (castle ruin of Hrušov). Accessible also by carriage and pair from homesteads of the national stud farm in higher elevations.
Break of the Lipizzans carriage and pair below the castle ruins of Hrušov, while we continue by foot.
Topoľčianky: Historical castle; side view seen from the castle grounds.
Topoľčianky: Riding hall; front View
Front entrance to the stables; seen from the stud farm area.
Seen from the castle grounds.
Entrance to the stables; seen from the stud farm area.
Riding hall in the dark.
View from inside: The royal stables as the historical part of the stables. A form of practiced husbandry system that maybe not any longer be entirely different contemporary in Germany. However, in the Slovak Republic, it is partially maintained in the historic, royal stables, both in consideration of the historical tradition of Topoľčianky and to illustrate the past history.
The small, cozy-looking guests’ grandstand of the riding hall.
STR – protected as logo and brand of national stud farm: Slovak Republic, Topoľčianky.
The foaling mares herd of Lipizzans at Hostie; the birthplace of Maestoso X Timrava.
Grange Hostie: Rearing the offspring of Lipizzans.
In the carriage and pair on the way to the foaling mares herd at Hostie.
A well-known vantage point (castle ruin of Hrušov). Accessible also by carriage and pair from homesteads of the national stud farm in higher elevations.
Break of the Lipizzans carriage and pair below the castle ruins of Hrušov, while we continue by foot.
Topoľčianky: Historical castle; side view seen from the castle grounds.
Topoľčianky: Riding hall; front View
Front entrance to the stables; seen from the stud farm area.
Seen from the castle grounds.
Entrance to the stables; seen from the stud farm area.
Riding hall in the dark.
View from inside: The royal stables as the historical part of the stables. A form of practiced husbandry system that maybe not any longer be entirely different contemporary in Germany. However, in the Slovak Republic, it is partially maintained in the historic, royal stables, both in consideration of the historical tradition of Topoľčianky and to illustrate the past history.
The small, cozy-looking guests’ grandstand of the riding hall.
STR – protected as logo and brand of national stud farm: Slovak Republic, Topoľčianky.
The foaling mares herd of Lipizzans at Hostie; the birthplace of Maestoso X Timrava.

the Years in Germany – a development

An immature stallion not yet fully developed.
A rather substantial unusually, thick horse’s mane for a Lipizzan.
Young stallion: 2002 on the grounds of a boarding-stable.
Autumn 2005: 10 years old with a minorly winter coat. In the background, the riding hall of the stud of trotters.
13 years old, a mature Lipizzan stallion in front of a stable at the stud farm of trotters. Typical of species-characteristic of Lipizzans is their late maturity.
On the campus of the stud of trotters ; in the background sand-paddocks.
Back from the state stud Redefin, at home on the village in front of the stud of trotters.
Breeding station Redefin: On the way ‘to work’. His outstanding character in handling mating period of insemination is clearly visible.
Grooming is hopeless; only a full shower will help.
Observation of a colleague.
Favorite pastime: Having everything under control.
Favorite occupation: Typical attention and curiosity of the Lipizzan.
Variety is always ensured; it’s never boring. In the background, one of the trucks and trailers of the state stud.
Meanwhile 18-year-old senior stallion frolics around through life with playfully ease in Redefin.
This powerhouse; a joy in driving sports (carriage) and equestrian sports.
Overflowing temperament.
Statement clear: Let me dig in the sand in peace.
A stylish coat pattern; non-hereditary. However, the passion for sand was inherited to his offspring.
Constantly in exercise, never to miss out on an event. Truly typical of Lipizzan.
Life is a game. In the background, part of the training grounds in the park of Redefin.
An immature stallion not yet fully developed.
A rather substantial unusually, thick horse’s mane for a Lipizzan.
Young stallion: 2002 on the grounds of a boarding-stable.
Autumn 2005: 10 years old with a minorly winter coat. In the background, the riding hall of the stud of trotters.
13 years old, a mature Lipizzan stallion in front of a stable at the stud farm of trotters. Typical of species-characteristic of Lipizzans is their late maturity.
On the campus of the stud of trotters ; in the background sand-paddocks.
Back from the state stud Redefin, at home on the village in front of the stud of trotters.
Breeding station Redefin: On the way ‘to work’. His outstanding character in handling mating period of insemination is clearly visible.
Grooming is hopeless; only a full shower will help.
Observation of a colleague.
Favorite pastime: Having everything under control.
Favorite occupation: Typical attention and curiosity of the Lipizzan.
Variety is always ensured; it’s never boring. In the background, one of the trucks and trailers of the state stud.
Meanwhile 18-year-old senior stallion frolics around through life with playfully ease in Redefin.
This powerhouse; a joy in driving sports (carriage) and equestrian sports.
Overflowing temperament.
Statement clear: Let me dig in the sand in peace.
A stylish coat pattern; non-hereditary. However, the passion for sand was inherited to his offspring.
Constantly in exercise, never to miss out on an event. Truly typical of Lipizzan.
Life is a game. In the background, part of the training grounds in the park of Redefin.

Srdečná vďaka na Národný žrebčín Topoľčianky for the photos. A heartfelt thank you also to Florian Gatterdam for his photos.

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