About 34 of us from Ancient Oaks RV Resort ventured out into the chilly 52 degree weather to see the Royal Lipizzan Stallions at their winter training session. It took several car loads to get us to Myakka City, about 2 hours northwest of Okeechobee. This is where the Lipizzans are based in the USA. Since it's a training session, they request only a five dollar donation to see how they prepare their stallions for their traveling show which starts in a couple of months.
The Lipizzan's were established in 16th century (long before Kitty was born!) for the exclusive use of the Hapsburg Royal Family of Austria. They are the rarest, most aristocratic breed of horses in the world. Their strength and intelligence allows them to perform spectacular leaps and plunges which were originally used to strike fear into the hearts of foot soldiers. Only a few hundred Lipizzans ever existed anywhere in the world at any one time, making them a very rare breed.
Under the direction of General Patton, the Lipizzans were rescued from the advancing Russian army during WWII. Colonel Herrmann created the American home of the Lipizzans which has been located in Myakka City for over three generations.
Here's some shots of where they live in Myakka City, Florida.
These next several still shots don't really show the grace and beauty of these magnificent horses in training.
I am sure you noticed this young lady wearing a sleeveless top while the rest of us oldies are wearing winter coats. What's up with that? I guess if she can handle a Lipizzan, she can wear anything she wants! Ha!
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| Photo by Randy Oakley |
Next time remind me to take a video of these horses! Still pictures don't do justice to these beauties.
Got to see the Lipizzan's perform while I was working in Shelbyville, TN. a half dozen years ago. Fantastic performances by these awe inspiring horses, but it cost me a whole lot more than $5.
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