Ballet on hooves: Lipizzaner Stallions return to Dothan Civic Center

By Peggy Ussery

Published: January 8, 2009

The Lipizzan is known as the dancing stallion with moves such as the levade, mezair and capriole.

But it’s a breed of horse surrounded by mystique, bred for war and royalty.

Lipizzans have been rescued from near extinction more than once — most famously by Gen. George S. Patton toward the end of World War II. Even today, there are only about 3,000 of the horses in the world. Known for their white coats and maneuvers that once served a purpose on the battlefield, the Lipizzans offer a unique glimpse of equine traditions preserved for hundreds of years.

“They were reserved for the aristocracy of Europe,” said Gary Lashinsky, producer of the World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions show. “Only a nobleman or very, very important person could own a Lipizzaner.”

The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions return to the Dothan Civic Center today at 7:30 p.m. The touring equine show has visited Dothan numerous times over the years, usually selling out when they come.

“The venue is very nice,”  Lashinsky said of the civic center. “It gives everybody a good seat and a good view to see the horses.”

Lipizzaners have a long history and are believed to be descended from the Spanish Andalusian. The Lipizzaners were primarily bred in Austria, where the Spanish Riding School is located. War led to the breed’s relocation a number of times during its history. The herd was even split between Austria and Italy when the Austrian empire fell apart around 1918.

But the Lipizzan has survived and has maintained its reputation as a rare and intelligent breed.

Their military “dance” moves today are considered equestrian art — a ballet with horses. And despite their history on the battlefield, Lipizzans are described as graceful horses who are natural hams.

Lashinsky, who has produced the show since 1970, said the show features 14 of the 50 horses owned by White Stallion Productions, the traveling show’s production company. While the show is not affiliated with the Spanish Riding School, many of the Lipizzans in the show came from the famed school.

“You don’t have to be a horse lover to enjoy it,” he said. “It’s just great family entertainment.”

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If you go ...
What: The World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions
When: Friday, Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Dothan Civic Center
Cost: Tickets are $25.50 for lower seats and $21.50 for upper seats and are available at the Dothan Civic Center box office.
Info: Call 615-3175
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Did you know?

—Lipizzaner horses are named after Lipizza, or Lipica, a village in modern Slovenia once a part of Austria and later Italy. It was established as a royal stud farm in the late 1500s. In America, however, the breed is called Lipizzan, according to the Lipizzan Association of North America.

—A Lipizzan can live 30 to 35 years.

—Lipizzans are known for their white coats, but genetically they are a shade of grey. Adult Lipizzaners with black, dun and bay coats are rare. Foals are typically born black-brown to a darker grey and then lighten up. Their coats reach full white appearance after six to eight years.

—There are six significant sire lines for Lipizzaners. The oldest dates back to 1765.

—The movements performed by Lipizzaners are called dressage — French for training. The most spectacular are a series of leaps known as “Airs Above the Ground” and were originally used as battle tactics in war.

—Trainers for the World Famous Lipizzaner Stallions, based in Florida, spend six to eight years training Lipizzans for the show. The horses aren’t even saddled until they’re more than 3 years old. Once the stallions reach the higher levels of training, they can perform up into their 20s, show producer Gary Lashinsky said. After that, the horses are retired. Some stallions are used for breeding after retirement.