EQUINE ROYALTY IN ALL ITS GLORY

EQUINE ROYALTY IN ALL ITS GLORY

HERRMANN’S ROYAL LIPIZZAN STALLIONS OF FLORIDA IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Written by: Ava Isabel Grace

The magnificent Lipizzan horse breed was developed in the 16th century with the support of Hapsburg nobles. According to the Lipizzan Association of North America, the Hapsburgs “controlled Spain and Austria when the art of classical riding was revived in Europe. There was a need for light, fast horses for use in the military and the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.”

An early stud farm was in Lipizza (now Lipica), which is located in modern-day Slovenia. Lipizzans were bred to be beautiful, sturdy and intelligent. They are well-known for

their spectacular “airs above the ground” classical dressage movements, as well as their friendly personalities, and often live to be 40 years old.

The Lipizzan Association of North America notes that during World War II, the breed was threatened with extinction. It owes its survival in part to U.S. Army Gen. George S. Patton. Two Austrians, Col. Ottomar Herrmann Sr. and his son, Col. Ottomar Herrmann Jr., were key in assisting Patton with rescuing the horses from enemy lines.

Those horses were ridden by night and hidden by day, with their ultimate destination being the United States. Upon

Lipizzans were bred to be beautiful, sturdy and intelligent. They have friendly personalities and often live to be 40 years old.

reaching the U.S., Col. Ottomar Herrmann Sr. later established a 200-acre ranch in Myakka City, Florida, to house and propagate the Lipizzans. Today, the ranch is still owned by the Herrmann family and comprises 25 acres and 26 horses.

With fewer than 3,000 purebred Lipizzans in the world, the breed is considered rare, and the number of foals born each year is correspondingly small, the Lipizzan Association of North America explains. Fortunately, things have changed greatly since the days when the horses were hidden away and when access was given only to royalty or members of the military.

For a charge of $5 per person— which helps with the costs of caring for the Lipizzans—the public is welcome to visit the Herrmann Ranch. Guests can watch the horses gracefully perform training sessions, which take place in an arena from December through April.

With fewer than 3,000 purebred Lipizzans in the world, the breed is considered rare.

TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF HERRMANN’S ROYAL LIPIZZAN STALLIONS

LIPIZZANS ARE WELL-KNOWN FOR their spectacular “airs above the ground” classical dressage movements.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HERRMANN’S ROYAL LIPIZZAN STALLIONS

These training sessions are held on Thursdays and Fridays at 3 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10 a.m., and last about an hour and 20 minutes. It’s a family-type event and many guests arrive about 45 minutes early so they can wander the grounds, visit the stables and perhaps meet riders and trainers. Visitors often bring a folding chair, and even snacks and drinks.

“People come from all over to see our horses,” explains Gabriella Herrmann, who owns the ranch and horses. She is the daughter and granddaughter, respectively, of Col. Ottomar Herrmann Jr. and Col. Ottomar Herrmann Sr.

When not at the ranch, the horses and their trainers travel around the country. They show off their glory at events, fairs, arenas and theme parks—always stunning onlookers with their magnificence.

Writer Ava Isabel Grace is a Florida resident who love the country.

ROUNDUP

Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions 32755 Singletary Road Myakka City, Florida 941-322-1501, hlipizzans.com

Training sessions open for public viewing for $5 per person, December to April, on Thursdays and Fridays at 3 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m.

20 FLORIDACOUNTRY December | January 2019