Many people have heard of the world-famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna, but it is here in sunny South Africa, that the qualities of grace, dignity and nobility are upheld by a team of riders in the picturesque wine lands of the Western Cape.
The survival of the Lipizzaner horse has often been threatened by war. Countless times have their fate been determined by the actions of those dedicated to their preservation. The story of how these iconic, European horses of history, battle and art ended up all the way in South Africa is a story fraught with bravery and daring escape. Their journey began in Hungary, on the familial Lipizzaner breeding farm of Count Jankovic-Besan, during the second World War he made a life-changing decision. He could not and would not allow his beloved Lipizzaner horses to fall into enemy hands. He strapped them to carts and to carriages, and set out one night in the deadening cold of a winter snowfall, covering a distance of hundreds of kilometres. In war-torn Europe, starving families were turning to any source to keep their children fed.
To prevent them from being eaten, he painted the gleaming white coats of his Lipizzaners with oil and paraffin so that they appeared dreadful and inedible. The disguise worked, and eventually their sorrowful party arrived in Bavaria, Germany with renewed hope. From Bavaria, they were able to arrange safe passage for his family and his herd to Dorset in England where they stayed for two years before securing a place aboard a ship headed for the shores of South Africa.
Seventy-four years later, the legacy and the incredible stories of Count Jankovic-Besan live on in the South African Lipizzaners. We live on as an NPO, and even though times are often hard, it is impossible for us not to keep writing the next chapter. Our 75th anniversary promises to be an epic celebration, with the Lipizzaners now based in the Western Cape we plan for these celebrations to be as historic as these incredible horses. Join us throughout the month of December for some holiday fun, as the Lipizzaners dance to your favourite jingles for some Christmas fun!
Upcoming Events4 December | 11 December | 18 December | 21 December 22 December | 23 December
Tickets via Quicket, Webtickets and at the gate.
2023 Diamond Jubilee Golf Day
The Diamond Jubilee Golf Day will take place at Devonvale Golf & Wine Estate on 24 March 2023
Info & Bookings: Annalie Scheltema 082 771 5642
For more information visit www.lipizzaners.co.za or contact 079 716 4792
