Spanish Riding School: Tickets

Spanish Riding School FAQs

• Do I need to book tickets for Spanish Riding School?
• The Spanish Riding School offers tickets for performances, training sessions and guided tours. Although it’s not compulsory, we would strongly suggest booking tickets online for your visit as it’s more likely you will be able to secure tickets for your preferred times and dates. The performances have limited space, so again, booking in advance and online does help.
• What is the Spanish Riding School?
• Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria performs the Renaissance tradition of ‘Haute Ecole’, which is a form of horse parade and is now listed by UNESCO on their ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’ section. An incredible sight.
• Why is it called the Spanish Riding School?
• One of the horse breeds used to create the remarkable Lipizzan were of Spanish origin, so the name Spanish Riding School is derived from that. Now the horses are bred exclusively in Piber in Styria, Austria.
• How long is a training session ticket for the Spanish Riding School?
• The ticket gives you access to a 1-hour training session at Spanish Riding School.
• Where is the Spanish Riding School in Vienna?
• The Spanish Riding School is inside the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.
• Why are only Lipizzaner Horses used at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna?
• The school exclusively trains Lipizzaner horses, as they are a rare and highly skilled breed that are known for their agility and intelligence.
• Who trains the Spanish Riding School horses?
• The horses are trained by riders called Bereiters, who undergo extensive training themselves (sometimes over a decade) before they are allowed to train the horses.
• What is the purpose of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna today?
• It preserves the classical dressage tradition, trains riders and horses, as well as allowing visitors to enjoy the spectacular performances.

Spanish Riding School

• Oldest Equestrian School: It’s the oldest riding school in the world that is still practicing classical dressage.
• Imperial Origins: The school was originally established for the Habsburg monarchy to train their war horses.
• One of a Kind: It is the only institution in the world where classical dressage is still performed in its original form.
• The Winter Riding Hall: The performances take place in a magnificent baroque hall which was built in 1729 for Emperor Charles VI.
• Lipizzaners Have Pedigrees: Every Lipizzaner horse can trace its ancestry back 400 years!
• Rider’s Uniforms Are Historic: Riders still wear traditional brown tailcoats, white breeches, and bicorne hats, just like in the 18th century.
• Originally for Military Use: Lipizzaners were originally bred for battle, and their agility helped them dodge weapons on the battlefield.
• Most Horses Are Born Dark: Only about 1 in 100 Lipizzaner foals are born white!
• Saved by the U.S. Army: In 1945, during WWII, General George S. Patton ordered a mission to save Lipizzaner horses from being lost or killed!
• Long Training for Riders – It takes up to 12 years for a rider to become a fully qualified Bereiter.
• Ladies Can Now Join: The first female rider, Hannah Zeitlhofer, was officially accepted in 2008 after centuries of male-only tradition.
• ‍Horses “Retire” in Luxury: After their performing years, Lipizzaners retire to a peaceful life in the countryside.