International fame has to be attained. Our horses’ campaign of conquest is quite special. Nothing is left to chance when the team from the Spanish Riding School goes on tour. Our staff work flat out on travel preparations for months to ensure that our white knights remain stress-free and comfortable, both while they travel and in their accommodation.

Before the first precious hoof steps from the box of the tour transport onto the soil of the host country, both the stablemaster and other members of the team will have been on site well in advance to check that everything is perfect for our horses. The almost endless list of things to pack includes white deerskin saddles, gold bridles, velvet saddlecloths, the famous birch whips and the riders’ uniforms. The horses’ trusted grooms are also part of the entourage, along with considerable numbers of heavy travel crates and feed from home. Accustomed to Viennese mountain spring water, the stablemaster had to encourage his pampered charges to drink water with a litre of apple juice added.

Any overseas travel involves flying. This is even more stressfree for our Lipizzaners, because they no longer have to balance themselves around every bend as soon as the aircraft has reached cruising altitude. Rising into the air while maintaining their balance is their speciality, after all. Of course, the sounds of Viennese classics which we take along, accompanied by the applause from their enthusiastic host audience, help the horses to remain relaxed throughout.

Daniela Zedinger

PA to the CEO

geschaeftsleitung@srs.at

0043 1533 9031 - 27