One of the oldest domesticated breeds of horses still in existence today, the majestic Lipizzaners, have entertained guests this Christmas season in the Cape Winelands, with the stunning stallions charming spectators.
The SA Lipizzaners, a non-profit organisation, has been part of the Kyalami community for more than 70 years. However, they moved to their new home, the Mistico Equestrian Centre between Paaril and Durbanville in January 2021.
During their Christmas performances, which ended on December 23, these grandiose animals took audiences on a captivating journey, blending holiday spirit, classical equestrian artistry, and toe-tapping tunes.
The South African Lipizzaner journey started in 1944 when a select few Lipizzaners were rescued from war-torn Europe and brought to South Africa by Count Jankovich-Besan. The stallions in Paarl are direct descendants of those horses and their predecessors.
In 1951, Major George Iwanowski, a Cavalry Officer, left his native Poland to come to South Africa. He met Count Jankovich-Besan at the Royal Show in Pietermaritzburg, visited his stud, and was offered a Lipizzaner to train. The stallion Maestoso Erdem became the first Lipizzaner to be seen demonstrating high school dressage movements.
It was then that the idea was born to have a team of Lipizzaner Stallions give performances similar to those of The Spanish Riding School in Vienna. So the training of the stallions began.
In 1960, Major George Iwanowski began developing his equestrian centre in Kyalami. He gradually built up a team of eight stallions, which travelled countrywide giving performances, and in 1969 he built the first indoor hall in South Africa especially for their training.
In 1971, Colonel Handler, then Chief of the Spanish Riding School, opened the centre's first regular Sunday performance there (still in Kyalami then). Major George Iwanowski was closely associated with the team from then onwards. He eventually returned home to his native Poland and was awarded full military honours as ‘Colonel’ on his 100th birthday in 2007. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 101.
The SA Lipizzaner team said they owe him a huge debt of gratitude for establishing the Lipizzaners here in South Africa. The South African Lipizzaners is an NPC dedicated to the advancement of this proud cultural heritage and the preservation of this most ancient breed of horse.
Over the years, the South African Lipizzaners have become an integral part of South Africa's cultural heritage and often appear on film and television, at various public performances, as well as their regular Sunday morning shows.
The South African Lipizzaners offer an extraordinary cultural experience that is unlike any other in Africa. As the only performing Lipizzaner troupe on the African continent and one of only two in the entire world, their performances represent a rare opportunity to witness the precision and beauty of classical dressage, performed by majestic Lipizzaner stallions.
Steeped in centuries of European tradition, the South African Lipizzaners carry forward the proud legacy of these noble horses, which have been associated with classical riding schools for over 450 years.
“Our performances are a captivating display of harmony between horse and rider, showcasing the highest levels of skill, discipline, and elegance.
Each routine is choreographed to classical music, offering guests not just an equestrian spectacle, but also a cultural and artistic journey,” the team said.
With a history that dates back to the times of European royalty, the Lipizzaners are renowned worldwide for their grace, intelligence, and powerful performances.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see these magnificent horses in action—a privilege typically found only in Europe. Mistico Equestrian Centre boasts a beautifully designed performance arena, offering seating for up to 500 guests. Its spacious grounds, surrounded by the tranquil landscapes of the Cape, provide a serene setting for a truly immersive experience with the Lipizzaner stallions, which perform over weekends.
Pretoria News