Piber and the Lippizaner Gala - May 2, 2003      Last Updated: 05-May-03

Roswitha's mom, Rosi, surprised Roswitha with an invitation to this unique Lipizzaner Gala. The last time the Lipizzaner horses held a performance in Piber - the place the horses are raised - was 200 years ago. But from May 1 to 4 this year they again had a GUEST PERFORMANCE for the opening of the exhibit "Mythos Pferd" (Mythos Horse). Normally the horses only perform in Vienna, in the Hofreitschule. Sometimes the horses go on tour around the world. Since there is only one troupe, the Hofreitschule has than no shows. During the performance we learned that by October 26, 2005 (50 years after the first performance after WWII) there should be at least 2 full troupes for parallel performances. Although Roswitha already saw a performance in San Jose, California, this GALA was made extremely special by the additional showing of younger horses (as young as 3 days), performances with carriages and by the Wiener Sängerknaben (Viennese Boy Choir).

The huge tent in Piber held 5000 people in four ~ 5 hour performances. Each performance seemed sold out, including all the VIP tickets (where one can see many of the leaders of country and state). The tent is the largest in the world, produced in Belgium by 'de Bore', and on average only raised 5 times per year. Once all the posts are placed and the tent is spread out, it is raised by hydraulic within 20 minutes.

On our way to Piber we encountered a church in Bärnbach which was modified by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and had lunch. In Piber, while touring the stables, we met parts of the Volkmer family.

Now lean back and enjoy the show.     (Remember placing the cursor over the images, often provides more information.)

First came the 3-6 DAY old colts, because it was close to their bed time. Here shown in only one corner of the tent  Some stayed close to their mom 
Others seemed to enjoy running around  with mom  or independently 

Next a 'Pas de Deux' with two one-horse carriages 

Then came the three-year olds  or the 'Wild Ones'  Having spent their youth in the hilly meadows, training will start soon 

Then came the oldest stallion. In a partriarchical society, this is the most important figure,- and he knows it!  He is 30 years old, which is roughly equivalent to 90 human years 

Followed by a six-horse carriage  Typically drawn by mares 

Christian Graf von Plettenberg, the moderator, from Germany 

Then the moderator and we had a great time with the kindergartners  3-12 MONTHS old  Enjoying a run in perfect harmony with mom  or in a group  Moving  or just pondering the crowd 

Next we listened to the Wiener Sängerknaben led by Martin Schebesta  The ORF (Austrian TV station) filmed the Gala we attended for a special progam on Mothers Day  We heard a Solo  and music from the 17th cetury to 'Somewhere out there'  The audience enjoyed the program very much  And after performing the boys watched the rest of the show 

The third part started with an introduction of all riders, gaits and paces, followed by this 'Pas de deux' by Oberbereiter Eder and Bereiter Bauer 

The next section was entitled 'work on the hand'. Levade shown here is an example  Another Levade  The Piaffe did not quite happen during this performance 
Start einer Courbette  One of the jumps in a Courbette  End of a Courbette  Capriole 

Then followed the long reins (am langen Zügel)  Conversano Dagmar with Bereiter Hausberger showed excercises where the commands are given by pressure with the reins and the crop (=Gerte)  We saw different paces 
Traverses  Turns  The illumination was very well done 

Next came the 'Schools above the Ground' (Schulen über der Erde)  We saw quite a few demonstrations of the Levade  One more  And yet another one 
Courbette was also performed  Another Courbette  And here is the end of a Courbette  We also saw a Capriole. Note that the hind hoofs are at least 3 feet above the ground 

Then Siglavy Mantnua I and Oberbereiter Krzisch showed the highest level performance   It was a dream horse and performance   
       

And the finale was Schulquadrille or Ballet of the Horses 
Some figures are done in twos  Others need all eight 
The gates were used in diagonal alternating order  Eight abreast 

The gala was opened by the Piber marching band 
By older ...  ... and younger 

Rosi on the path up to the castle with the exhibit  Mythical horses on the entrance wall  A huge functional and decorative horse leads the visitor from one building to the other 
Structure viewed from the entrance  The exhibit reaches from ~ 3000 B.C. to the Wild West  View from the castle to the meadows and hills 

During the visit to the stables we found ourselves right next to Frau Volkmer and family. Here posing ...  ... and taking pictures 
Rosi and Volkmers 
As the tent startet to fill ...  ... we found that we sat almost exactly opposit from the Volkmer family 

Hundertwasser church in Bärnbach  Part of West side  Behind altar  Baptisterium 
Detail on outside  One of the gates with Japane flag and characters 

 

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