Founded in the 16th century for the exclusive use of the Hapsburg Royal Family of Austria, the Royal Lipizzaner are unquestionably the rarest, most aristocratic breed of horses in the world.
Only a few hundred have ever existed at any one time and is a miracle that this precious bloodline is not extinct, having been saved by General George Patton from the Russian advance during World War II. The Lipizzans' celebrated escape was recounted in the Walt Disney movie, "Miracle of the White Stallions".
Assisting Patton in the clandestine mission to rescue the regal Lipizans, Colonel Herrmann and his father, Colonel Ottomar Herrmann, Sr., smuggled the horses out from behind enemy lines, riding at night and hiding by day.
Colonel Herrmann's family maintains a 200 acre ranch in Florida and the ranch is now under the direction of Gabriella Herrmann. In addition to the stallions with which they tour, the Herrmanns' maintain a herd of over forty Lipizzan mares. Gabriella's breeding program exists exclusively for the propagation of the breed. Occasionally a few select horses may be purchased and several stallions are available for breeding.
The Herrmanns' Lipizzans present a widely varied program. Classical dressage combined with the difficult "Airs Above the Ground" which are a series of higher-level movements where the horse leave the ground.
The trainers and performers are all female because the Herrmanns' children are mostly girls. They also have employment opportunities for riders, grooms. Requirements: Must be an animal lover and have one year experience handling horses; Must be over 18 years of age and free to travel: Must be resourceful, eager to learn with good work ethics.
OH! Someone should tell Danielle Robillard about this. She loves horses and is a great horse women.
Oh what a beautiful mane.
Here is the next generation of Herrmanns, future performers.
We had a great treat, a group of Santa Clauses on vacation in Florida attended the training session.
Santa wears shorts in Florida.
After the show Bev and I went in the barn to see these magnificent horses up close.
Yes, That is Bev with a smile after visiting with the horses.
Every year there is a group of campers that have a rally at the ranch. What a great place to have a camp out.
We really enjoyed ourselves, it is such a pleasure watching the horses perform and get to see them up close and personal. We will definitely be back here again and we would like to locate a show someplace during the season to see them on the road.
After we left of course we had to stop for supper on the way home to Peace River. Did I mention we like to eat out?
We got back home in time to attend karaoke at the meeting room. Along with singing there is dancing and of course line dancing.
All of the singers and dancers did a great job. No, I did not sing!
You can click the photos to enlarge.
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