The estimated worldwide population of purebred Lipizzan horses is less than 5,000 individuals with fewer than 1,000 in the United States. Yet, in spite of their rarity, Lipizzans have placed in the United States Dressage Federation's All Breeds Awards and Horse of the Year Awards at all levels over the last twenty years. This should not really be surprising as the Lipizzan is the only breed of horse which has been selectively bred for over 400 years for just the attributes that make the ideal dressage horse: intelligence, stamina, strength, agility, and a kind disposition. Only stallions that had reached the highest level of dressage were used as breeding stallions at the Imperial (Austro-Hungarian) Stud at Lipizza and later at the Austrian Federal Stud at Piber. The resulting horse has these characteristics genetically set.
The Lipizzan has always been an exclusive breed. There have never been many alive at one time. In the past, they were only the possessions of the Austrian Emperor and were not available to commoners. Only members of the nobility were allowed to inspect the spring foal crops at the Imperial Stud. After the fall of the Hapsburg Empire at the end of World War I, the Lipizzans were preserved as a living work of art at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. There, they and their human partners carry on the tradition of classical riding.
Lipizzans also excel in carriage driving. Lipizzan teams have won the World Cup Four-in-Hand competition several times.
In the United States Lipizzans continue to show that their characteristics make them suitable for almost any use from combined training to trail riding. The breed is hardy, easy to handle and willing to learn.
With the trend towards Baroque horses, interest in the Lipizzan is increasing. If you are looking for a unique breed and a special equine partner with a wide open future, look at the Lipizzan. There is no better time to get involved with this charismatic breed.
