Spanische Hofreitschule - Künstlersekretariat Buchmann GmbH

Spanische Hofreitschule
The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the only institution in the world which has practiced for
more than 450 years and continues to cultivate classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of
the Haute Ecole – which can also be found on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of
humanity.
The School takes the “Spanish” part of its name from the horses which originated from the
th
Iberian Peninsula during the 16 century and which were considered especially noble, spirited
and willing and suited for the art of classical horsemanship. Today’s Lipizzaner stallions are the
descendants of this proud Spanish breed, a cross between Spanish, Arabian and Berber horses.
In 1729 Emperor Charles VI commissioned the architect Josef Emanuel Fischer von Erlach to build
the magnificent Winter Riding School in the Hofburg Palace; it was completed in 1735. A portrait
of the monarch graces the splendid baroque hall in which the riders of the Spanish Riding School
train their Lipizzaner stallions and show off their skills to an international audience during the
public performances.
Künstlersekretariat Buchmann GesmbH
Schachnerstrasse 27, A-1220 Wien
Tel.: (+43-1) 203 63 57 • Fax: (+43-1) 203 74 83
e-mail: office@buchmann.at • www.buchmann.at