Horses of History
Coming straight out of a storybook fairy tale these beautiful white stallions bring nothing but astonishment to any horse lover, however these are not just any white stallions. Lipizzan Stallions are a very rare breed with an extensive history. Ancestors of the Lipizzan are traced as far back as 800 AD when the Moors brought Barb horses into Spain and crossed them with the Spanish breeds. This crossing resulted in the Andalusian horse and other Iberian breeds.
In the 16th century, the Habsburgs ruled both Spain and Austria. In an effort to produce a strong yet agile horse for use in the military and by the nobility of central Europe, the Habsburg Emperor, Maximillian, brought the Andalusian to Austria to breed. The Lipizzan name extends from the name of the town, Lipizza where the brother of the Emperor (Archduke Charles II) began a similar breeding program.
The Lipizzans were threatened with extinction at least three times, each during a period of war.
In the most well known circumstance popularized by a Disney movie, General George Patton saved the Lipizzan Stallions from the Russians during World War II. Two Austrian Colonels assisted in their rescue: Colonel Ottomar Herrmann, Sr. and his son Colonel Ottomar Jr. The team smuggled the horses from behind enemy lines and brought them to the US.
The Hermann family has a long history with the Lipizzan stallions, beginning a breeding program over 300 years ago. The family established a training facility in Myakka City in the 1960’s.
The movements the horses perform are older than the breed itself. Historically, Lipizzan Stallions were known to be war horses, with great strength and boldness. These horses were trained to put fear in the foot soldiers by performing great leaps.
“They are part of history,” said Gabriella Herrmann, daughter of Colonel Ottomar Jr. Gabriella Hermann is now the Director of Hermann’s Royal Lippizaner Stallions of Austria.
Gabriella Herrmann’s long history and long family line of dedication and admiration for these horses continues this great tradition. However, today the intention is not to showcase fear but to showcase beauty. With that family history, the performance of these talented horses brings life into what could have been lost.
“It is passion, you can’t say it’s your heritage you have to do it, if it isn’t in here (heart) you can’t do it,” Herrmann said.
This is the fourth event that the Herrmanns and the 4H Club have organized to bring these horses to Hernando County. Sunday is a perfect day to come out and see that last show. It’s a great way to spend Mother’s Day.
The gates open at 3pm at the Hernando County Fairgrounds and the first 300 mothers will receive a beautiful carnation for Mother’s Day. During the show the Lipizzan horses perform their signature leaps aerial maneuvers. The presentation is narrated throughout the show. The most anticipated and impressive part of the performance is the finale. There are photo opportunities after the show with the horses.
Dorothy Blair leader for the 4H Club and also owner of Blair Performance Horse in Brooksville has been acquainted with the Herrmann family for over twenty years. They have built a bond between them that helps both the 4H club and the Lipizzan’s historical past stay in the future.
Hernando County Fairgrounds 6436 Broad St, Brooksville, FL 34601
http://www.hlipizzans.com/
http://www.4-h.org/