The riders in Lipica sometimes collaborate with other riding schools in Europe for grander exhibitions and to develop a shared knowledge of the modern training of these traditional steeds. During that time, they also offer trail rides, carriage rides and even lessons on Lipizzaner horses. The farm presents a show three times weekly during the tourist season, which runs from the end of March to the end of October. There are bleachers lining one side for up to 700 guests and a set of pillars with Slovenian flags in the center of the ring. The farm has a standard-sized show arena set up for public presentations of the Lipizzaner horses. There are a variety of other barns that house younger stallions, stallions in training and the horses used for the shows.

There is a historic stable called Velbanca (which means “vaulted” and appropriately describes the structure’s extravagant vaulted ceilings) that houses some performance horses. The mares and foals are often out in the pastures, but they have a large barn for the colder winter months. The farm is home to about 400 Lipizzaner horses.

A period mansion is located on the grounds as well as a chapel and other administrative buildings. All are historically styled, and the setting is picturesque. Once you arrive at the center of the farm, you see many lovely yellow buildings. The area is as lush and fragrant as a deep forest. The historic stable called Velbanca, which means “vaulted,” houses performance horses and has vaulted ceilings.Īs you enter the Lipica farm, you are first welcomed by the border of white fences lining the nearly endless fields and accented with rows of huge trees. The barnyard consists of many pleasant yellow buildings. Lipica Stud Farm is picturesque, bordered by white fences and nearly endless fields accented with rows of huge trees. I had traveled to Lipica hoping to see the classical training system in action, and I witnessed it there, in a deeply traditional setting. The farm at Lipica not only upholds this heritage, but has many programs to share the unique Lipizzaner horse with the rest of the world. He has competed internationally, but was raised in the tradition of training Lipizzaners and is proud to be a part of their cultural heritage. The head trainer at the farm, Igor Maver, finds great pride in working with the Lipizzaner horses who have been bred there since the farm’s beginnings in 1580. This is the time, after the tourist season is over, when the focus returns to training the horses. I was lucky enough to visit the Lipica Stud Farm last November. Since then, I have always had a place in my heart for the breed, which is, in fact, named after the place of its origin-Lipica (the “c” is pronounced as a “z”), located in today’s Slovenia. I was amazed to see live the quadrilles and the airs above the ground since I had only seen photos in books. Often, those who hear the name “Lipizzaner” recall classical training, classical riding, the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria, and, of course, the airs above the ground. When I was a kid, I saw the traveling Lipizzaner show at our local university football field.

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