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Vienna Spanish Riding School 
The Spanish Riding School is an Austrian institution located within the Hofburg Imperial Palace, in the heart of Vienna. It was established in 1569 and is dedicated to the preservation of classical dressage and the training of Lipizzaner horses. In the mid-1500s there was a resurgence in equestrianism led in part by the need for more intelligent use of the horse in battle. This led to the construction of a wooden riding hall, and this is known to have existed in the 1570s as documents dating from 1572 refer to a wooden Spanish riding hall. By the late 17th century, Emperor Charles VI (r. 1711-1740) decided a more permanent and sturdy riding environment than the existing wooden hall was needed in order to provide aristocratic youths with the opportunity to take riding instruction, so in 1729, work began on the main arena for the school in the Baroque style. The arena was officially opened in 1735 and today remains largely unchanged as originally constructed. Designed by architect Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach it measures 55 by 18 meters (180 by 59 feet) and stands 17 meters (56 feet) tall. With white stone balustrades, galleries, and columns, it now contains large chandeliers providing a soft-lit ambiance, adding to the atmosphere of the sunlight-flooded hall.  The hall, known as the, provides a beautiful environment for the world’s oldest working riding school, which still practices the classical art of Renaissance dressage. It is here that the performances take place.  In December 2015, the horsemanship of the Spanish Riding School was classified as an “intangible cultural heritage” by UNESCO. The horses used are, and have always been, the Spanish Lipizzaner breed as they were considered to be the best suited to the equestrian arts, and the Habsburg court used them exclusively for that purpose. Performances at the Spanish Riding School were originally only presented to guests of the Court but was opened up to the general public following the fall of the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1918, to help pay for its upkeep. Above the royal box, opposite the entrance, is a portrait of Emperor Charles VI, riders always salute this portrait before their performances which is accompanied by classical Viennese music. During their performances, the horses wear a traditional gold-plated breastplate, crupper, (which is used to keep equipment from sliding forward) and a saddle larger than the normal one used during training. The horses, with the exception of the young ones, wear red and gold or green and gold saddlecloths, under the saddle. The riders wear the traditional uniform of brown tailcoats, bicorne-style hats, white buckskin breeches, white suede gloves, and black top riding boots.  The ground floor inner courtyard of the imperial mews (Stallburg) of the Hofburg, was used to house the imperial horses and this is still used today by the Spanish Riding School for that purpose. Although not physically connected to the Hofburg, the Stallburg was originally built as a residence for Maximilian the then crown prince around 1558–1565. The building was later to accommodate the art collections of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm (1614-1662), and Emperor Ferdinand III (r. 1637-1657), which in 1889 was to form the basis of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The upper level contained apartments used by Habsburg family members and guests. The residence was converted to house the imperial Lipizzaner horses on the ground floor by the Spanish Riding School. In fact, it has continuously been used as stables since then.  During July and August, the horses are taken to the Summer Stables, in Heldenberg, Lower Austria, although some of the younger ones remain in the Stallburg.  The building was extensively damaged during WWII but underwent reconstruction to restore it to as it looked during Renaissance times. Visitors are able to do one of the tours run by the school and see the premises and horses as well as some of the tack which is used, and other items associated with the school.   Adjacent to the winter riding school is the summer riding school with its large exercise area.  Around this area is the horse walker, which guides the horses in their exercises.  The school is open to the public for tours when there is no performance.  |
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All Photographs were taken by and are copyright of Ron Gatepain
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