Vienna Celebrates its Spanish Riding School’s 450th Anniversary

The world-famous Spanish Riding School will mark its 450th anniversary with a spellbinding jubilee performance by the Lipizzaner stallions on Heldenplatz. Visitors can admire the equine choreography on the square in front of the offices of the Federal President on June 26, 2015 at 7pm. The riders from the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre will be traveling to Vienna from Jerez with their horses to give a special presentation of classic horsemanship alongside their counterparts from the Spanish Riding School during the anniversary performance, at a gala performance on June 27, 2015 and at the dress rehearsal on June 25, 2015.

The Fête Impériale on June 26, 2015 marks the highlight of the 450th anniversary celebrations. For one night only the Spanish Riding School will be transformed into a breathtaking ballroom as the riding arena makes way for a dance floor, and the Stallburg and Summer Riding School set the stage for open-air entertainment.

The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the only place in the world where the classic equestrian skills of the haute école are still practiced in their original form, in continuation of a proud tradition spanning some 450 years. Under classic equestrianism, the horse’s natural movements are studied before the mount is systematically trained to the point that they can effortlessly reproduce the unparalleled elegance of movement demanded by the haute école. The result is exceptional harmony between horse and rider.

• 450 Years of the Spanish Riding School, 1010 Vienna, www.srs.at
• Fête Impériale, Jun 26, 2015, Spanish Riding School, Michaelerplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, www.fete-imperiale.at