Austria photos > The Spanish Riding School of Vienna
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In Joseph's Square, this statue indicated that we might be nearby the riding school.
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We're here! The riding ring is the main attraction when the horses are in performing season. But we found a way into the heart of the operation...
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The Royal Stable! The riding school uses exclusively-bred Lipizzaner stallions begin their training at the age of 3. The Lipinzzaner horses' lineage traces to Spain (thus, the Spanish riding school).
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We were invited into the tack room, which looked like a museum.
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Each piece of equipment was in tip-top shape, with an entire staff of crew to clean and repair bridles, saddles, etc. Some of the tack was over fifty years old, and still in impeccable condition!
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The Riding School logo flanks each white blanket beneath the modified English saddle
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And each saddle rests on this ornate rack
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Saddlecloths are kept clean and wrinkle-free in large pull-out drawers.
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Pristine bits and irons behind glass.
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Some of the tack is over 50 years old and still in near-perfect condition. John joked that his Mounted tack was 50 years old and in decrepit condition!
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Franz, pictured at right with a Lipinzzaner, was quite surprised at John's ability to get us in here. He's lived in Vienna for many years and worked in Police and has NEVER seen the inside of this stable!
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Hello big friend
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At birth, all Lipinzzaner stallions are black or dark grey. If thier tail has white streaks at the bottom, they will grow to turn a snow-white color by age 10, and are therefore eligible for training for the Riding School. No guarantees, though; only the best horses are accepted!
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The stables have mahogany wood and iron & brass stalls, and the ceilings feature intricate plaster work of horse busts
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These two were especially excited to see us. When I brought the camera near my face, they walked close to each other, to pose for me! Superstars....
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Like a little boy in a candy store... All that John wanted to see in Vienna was this school, and he talked his way into a VIP tour!
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Our impromptu private tour guide, Johannes, the Stable Master. He was kind enough to allow us in, and gave us insiders' information on the stables and the horses. In perfect english, shared with John some of the the knowledge he's acquired in the thrity one years he's been with the Academy! Thank you Johannes!
