RARE BREEDS TRUST OF AUSTRALIA
powered by TidyHQHorses : Lipizzaner
Horses : Lipizzaner
Country of Origin
Austro-Hungarian Empire. The area in which they were developed is now in Slovenia.
Australian Status
International Status
Approximately 11,000.
Uses
Dressage, hacking, eventing, driving.
Breed traits
Height 14.2hh to 15.2hh. The breed are almost all grey, most going white as they age - usually by 6 to 10 years old the coat goes white. Rarely a black or brown horse is foaled. Sturdy build with good bone. Small alert ears. Crested neck. Strong shoulders and quarters. Famous for dressage and high school training which requires requires a strong build and steady temperament, and the ability to concentrate both body and mind. Known as a baroque breed for its classical strong good looks.
History
Famous for being the horses of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria. The breed is named after Lipica - pronounced Lipizza - near Trieste, where a Royal stud was set up in 1580 when the area was part of Austria. This area became Yugoslavia after WW2, and is now Slovenia. The major stud of the breed still operates on the original site at Lipica. Link to their website at foot of page.
Founding breeds were Spanish horses of the Moorish era, hence heavily African, mingled in the 1560's with Arabian blood as it was in Europe then - certainly Arabians from Syria were there and others from the Levant. Lipizzaners now DNA test 23 to 26% Arabian - reference at foot of page.
History in Australia 
Arrived in Australia in 1973.
Breed Organisation
There are two registries in Australia:
- Lipizzaner Association of Australasia established 1995 Lipizzaner Australia.
- Affiliated with the international body Lipizzan International Federation
- Australian Lipizzaner Registry
Additional Notes
Breed also called Lipizzan.
Scientific article explaining the Arabian influence.
The original and largest Lipizzaner stud, in Slovenia. Beautiful website.
Australian Population
2019 4 stallions, 13 mares
2022 3 stallions; 4 mares; 5 herds
Photo Credit
Top: 257 Favory Pallavicina 'Merlin" Annwn park Lipizzaner Stud, Stuart Town, N.S.W., taken by Simmone Cser Kananj sent in for one of our photos competitions.
Bottom: Favory Lucca II Louie, Lipizzaner gelding by Simmone Cser Kalanj.
Page by Janet Lane
(population updated 30/05/2020 by A.Y.)
