The Lipizzan breed is very unique and one learns more and more
about them everyday from first hand experience. Their intelligence,
gentleness, and athleticism are something to behold. They are
captivating.
The breed nearly died out during World War II when General George
Patton led a daring rescue to save the remaining breeding stock for
the Spanish Riding School. They were in danger of being eaten by
the advancing Russian troops and other hungry people. This event
was later made into a movie called The Miracle of the White Stallions
by Disney. Today there are about 3,000 purebred Lipizzans in the
world, of this number, 700 are in the United States.
Historically, the breed traces its origins to Emperor Maximillian II and
his brother, Archduke Charles II. Emperor Maximillian II founded the
Spanish Riding School in 1542 as a place for young noblemen to
learn to ride. The Spanish Riding School continues today and is the
only institute that maintains and practices the Renaissance tradition
of classical riding. A brother of Maximillian II, Archduke Charles II,
founded a stud farm in Lipizza (Lipica). He bred the best Spanish
horses in the world there.
The Lipizzan is the result of Andalusians, Barbs, Berkes, and local
Karst horses. The Karst horse had the most influence on the breed.
The Karst was white in color, small, slow to mature, extremely tough,
and had a high-stepping gait. Hundreds of years of dedication,
tradition, and purity have helped create the Lipizzan we know today.
The Lipizzan is the only mount of the Spanish Riding School.
Like most grey horses, the Lipizzan is born a solid or dark color and
gradually turn white. They are a slow maturing horse and do not turn
completely white until they are about eight-years old.
Today the Lipizzan is being reintroduced to the competitive dressage
arena and is being ridden by more and more dressage masters.
about them everyday from first hand experience. Their intelligence,
gentleness, and athleticism are something to behold. They are
captivating.
The breed nearly died out during World War II when General George
Patton led a daring rescue to save the remaining breeding stock for
the Spanish Riding School. They were in danger of being eaten by
the advancing Russian troops and other hungry people. This event
was later made into a movie called The Miracle of the White Stallions
by Disney. Today there are about 3,000 purebred Lipizzans in the
world, of this number, 700 are in the United States.
Historically, the breed traces its origins to Emperor Maximillian II and
his brother, Archduke Charles II. Emperor Maximillian II founded the
Spanish Riding School in 1542 as a place for young noblemen to
learn to ride. The Spanish Riding School continues today and is the
only institute that maintains and practices the Renaissance tradition
of classical riding. A brother of Maximillian II, Archduke Charles II,
founded a stud farm in Lipizza (Lipica). He bred the best Spanish
horses in the world there.
The Lipizzan is the result of Andalusians, Barbs, Berkes, and local
Karst horses. The Karst horse had the most influence on the breed.
The Karst was white in color, small, slow to mature, extremely tough,
and had a high-stepping gait. Hundreds of years of dedication,
tradition, and purity have helped create the Lipizzan we know today.
The Lipizzan is the only mount of the Spanish Riding School.
Like most grey horses, the Lipizzan is born a solid or dark color and
gradually turn white. They are a slow maturing horse and do not turn
completely white until they are about eight-years old.
Today the Lipizzan is being reintroduced to the competitive dressage
arena and is being ridden by more and more dressage masters.
| Email us with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright (c) 2012 Iowa Lipizzan Association, Inc., all rights reserved Website designed by Rachel Wehrheim. All photos by Nancy Wehrheim unless otherwise indicated. Page last updated on January 6, 2012 |
| Iowa Lipizzan Association, Inc. |
| Home Our History Join ILA Member News Events Links Contact Us |
| Past ILA Activities: Rare Breed & Dressage Horse Expo Herwig Radnetter Dressage Clinics Dianne Olds Rossi Dressage Clinic Jochen Hippenstiel Dressage Clinics Vitor Silva Dressage Clinics Work in Hand Clinics NSGNT Clinics Oneness Clinics Tai Chi Seminar Roping Clinic First Aid Basics Charitable Performances Dinner & Movie Nights Kirkwood Tack Swaps Tempel Lipizzan Performances National Lipizzan Associations Annual Meetings & Conventions Spanish Riding School of Vienna United States Tour 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games IaDCTA Sport Horse Festival |
| History of the ILA |
The Iowa Lipizzan Association, Inc. became an official 501 (c) (3)
non-profit organization on January 28, 2003. Since that time it has
organized and helped promote a number of beneficial
activities/events for its members and the community.
The ILA is dedicated to the promotion of the Lipizzan horse through
seminars, clinics, shows and exhibitions and to foster national and
international amateur sports competition.
The ILA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose membership is
open to any interested individual, corporation, business, organization,
or farm.
Since its inception in 2003, the ILA has grown in membership and
broadened its scope of activities and events. These events
emphasize learning about horsemanship, educating the public, and
sponsoring scholarship opportunities for horse science students at
Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Whatever the activity, the ILA focuses on fun, education, and
camaraderie.
non-profit organization on January 28, 2003. Since that time it has
organized and helped promote a number of beneficial
activities/events for its members and the community.
The ILA is dedicated to the promotion of the Lipizzan horse through
seminars, clinics, shows and exhibitions and to foster national and
international amateur sports competition.
The ILA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose membership is
open to any interested individual, corporation, business, organization,
or farm.
Since its inception in 2003, the ILA has grown in membership and
broadened its scope of activities and events. These events
emphasize learning about horsemanship, educating the public, and
sponsoring scholarship opportunities for horse science students at
Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Whatever the activity, the ILA focuses on fun, education, and
camaraderie.
| Lipizzan Links: Lipizzan Association of North America United States Lipizzan Federation Spanish Riding School of Vienna Tempel Farms White Stallion Productions Blue Mounds Equestrian Center |
| The ILA helped establish the George & Nellie Wilson Scholarship for Kirkwood Community College Horse Science students in 2007. Pictured below are members of the Kirkwood Foundation, Nancy Barta, Gene and Rachel Wehrheim, Nellie & Joe Wilson, and four horse science scholarship recipients (George Barta Scholarship, Verne Upmier Scholarship, Abraham Family Scholarship, and Wehrheim Family Scholarship). |
| The ILA has helped establish the following scholarships for Kirkwood Community College Horse Science students: Verne Upmier Scholarship George Barta Scholarship George & Nellie Wilson Scholarship A portion of ILA's proceeds is designated each year to help continue these scholarship opportunities for Kirkwood students. |
| The 2003 Rare Breed & Dressage Horse Expo was dedicated to one of Iowa's greatest horsemen: Verne Upmier. Verne dedicated his life to horses and providing horse enthusiasts with the means to enjoy their favorite companions. In his closing remarks at the expo, Verne said, "Horses are one of the most important things in my life and for folks that I've known. When you understand them and you get to know them and they get to know you then someday maybe you'll own a horse and he may become your best friend." An equestrian scholarship in Verne's name for Kirkwood Community College was created from a portion of the proceeds from the expo. Verne Upmier passed away on May 11, 2007. |
| George Barta was a long-time horseman and businessman in Eastern Iowa. He owned and operated the Saddle & Leather Shop in Cedar Rapids for 59 years. George Barta passed away in 2004. The 2005 Rare Breed & Dressage Horse Expo was dedicated to George and an equestrian scholarship was established in his name for Kirkwood Community College. |
| History of the Lipizzan Breed |
| Lipizzan Stallion, Neapolitano Juwela Owned by Gene Wehrheim Photo by: Nancy Wehrheim (c) 2007 |
| Photos of Past ILA Events |
| Charles Abraham & Gene Wehrheim |
| Stephanie Visser & Herwig Radnetter at 2010 clinic. |
| Macie Claude & Madison Davenport |
| Dr. Frank Cheng Tai Chi Seminar Instructor |
| Marla Quenzer & Vitor Silva |
| Vic & Kay Vifian |