Lipizanners used more in dressage?
They seem pretty capable of the movements…
Cheryl
Put Lipizzaner in your subject and you might get more replies.
I hope Silverbridge who owns a Lippy will chime in…but it’s my understanding they are a rare breed and the reason you don’t see more is that there are so few. Of the Baroque breeds it seems that PRE’s, Lusitanos etc. are en vogue right now.
There seems to be a few in this area, but then again Tempel Farms is in this area.
They are a rare breed.
IMHO while they are definitely uncommon, the biggest thing against them is their size. Most Lipizzaners do not reach 16+ hands which is the magic en vogue size. The other downside against them is that many riders are convinced the only way to be competitive is on a warmblood.
I own one. She is maybe 14.1 hands but many people have told me she seems a lot bigger under saddle with floaty gaits and a lot of suspension. Her sire was very competitive when shown and did very well regionally.
I’ve seen some of the Lusitano and Lipps and they are just lovely at dressage movments…a shame more of them aren’t ridden at upper levels.
Cheryl
[QUOTE=LookmaNohands;8403341]
They are a rare breed.[/QUOTE]
Even in Europe?
Cheryl
Lipizzaners and Shagyas share some of the same issues - they are fabulous horses, purpose bred for sport but there aren’t many breeders and too few are willing to give them a try. It saddens me-especially now, when more petite riders are beginning to appreciate the not-so huge mount. If people aren’t familiar with something they don’t seem as wiling to give them a try. It’s too bad because these horses are truly gems. Shagyas even have a strain of Lipizzan in them, and Lipizzans have a drop of Arab in them (Siglavy was an Arab)
I agree that they are not as common a breed to find, that too many people want their horses tall, and that they can be excellent in the job. After all, they are bred for it, and have been for a very long time!
in the parameters for my horse searches in the past, I have never had one come up. I am not familiar enough with the breed where I would specifically seek one out from a breeder, whereas I have had enough contact with specific bloodlines in other breeds to seek them out. I can’t imagine ruling out a lipizzaner because of its breed, though, as they seem the ultimate dressage horse to me.
[QUOTE=Shagyas Rock;8403518]
Lipizzaners and Shagyas share some of the same issues - they are fabulous horses, purpose bred for sport but there aren’t many breeders and too few are willing to give them a try. It saddens me-especially now, when more petite riders are beginning to appreciate the not-so huge mount. If people aren’t familiar with something they don’t seem as wiling to give them a try. It’s too bad because these horses are truly gems. Shagyas even have a strain of Lipizzan in them, and Lipizzans have a drop of Arab in them (Siglavy was an Arab)[/QUOTE]
Either that or people go for what they see winning in the ring because they feel it is less risky.
I think size is the main issue. Unless you are smart enough to know a shorter horse might be better for you
[QUOTE=Magicboy;8403566]
I think size is the main issue. Unless you are smart enough to know a shorter horse might be better for you[/QUOTE]
Could be a resale issue combined with that. Some people may prefer a shorter horse, or be better off with one. However, if they intend to sell at some point or think they might, some people go with what will be easy to resell. it is a tough market already, so for a horse that is not mainstream it may be even harder to sell it.
They are definitely uncommon. I ran into one in a horse search years ago - and at the time, the price was quite high relative to the quality of the horse.
They are smaller, rarer, tend to be expensive, and while they have great talent for collection, they often struggle with extensions.
I’ve heard they also come with their own set of challenges with training.
I had a friend who owned two Lipizzans, mother and daughter. She was so nice once to let me ride the mom. I hadn’t ridden in years and was overweight but still had a great time on her.
As a side note, this lady I know is a world famous streetpainter and often paints her Lipizzans into her paintings.
The only way to break that stereotype of warmbloods in the ring is to try something new.
BTW- you can buy Lipizzans from the SRS for relatively cheap. I love to browse through the horses offered for sale sometimes. So beautiful.
I’m curious what you’ve heard. Other than maybe having some difficulties with extensions, I haven’t heard much else.
[QUOTE=emipou;8403687]
I’ve heard they also come with their own set of challenges with training.
I had a friend who owned two Lipizzans, mother and daughter. She was so nice once to let me ride the mom. I hadn’t ridden in years and was overweight but still had a great time on her.
As a side note, this lady I know is a world famous streetpainter and often paints her Lipizzans into her paintings.
The only way to break that stereotype of warmbloods in the ring is to try something new.
BTW- you can buy Lipizzans from the SRS for relatively cheap. I love to browse through the horses offered for sale sometimes. So beautiful.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;8403558]
Either that or people go for what they see winning in the ring because they feel it is less risky.[/QUOTE]
Very likely - however, you don’t see many in the ring because they’re so rare, and the reason they’re rare is that people don’t give them a chance. It’s a vicious circle. Anyone interested enough in either breed can google them and find breeders and contacts. Shagyas are no more expensive than any well bred horse. I’m not sure about Lipizzaners because I’ve never actually priced them.
[QUOTE=Shagyas Rock;8403931]
Very likely - however, you don’t see many in the ring because they’re so rare, and the reason they’re rare is that people don’t give them a chance. It’s a vicious circle. Anyone interested enough in either breed can google them and find breeders and contacts. Shagyas are no more expensive than any well bred horse. I’m not sure about Lipizzaners because I’ve never actually priced them.[/QUOTE]
The Temple site lists a couple of horses in the $20-25k range for horses that were born in 2009. I don’t know how current the sales lists are though.
There are quite a few lipizzans in lower level competition in my area. They are not expensive relative to the dressage market but they do tend to be small and have a unique gait that either appeals or it doesn’t. Tendency toward leg, rather than back, movement is a big limiter, IMO. As with all breeds, there are exceptions and exceptional individuals. I’ve also heard people say that they don’t like the big heads on lipizzans, which always shocks me because I find the noble lipizzan face to be their most appealing feature. 
