The Spanish Riding School of Vienna are to return to Birmingham’s NIA marking its 60th international tour.
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna
It is six years since the majestic, highly trained horses and riders of the 430 year old “High School for Classical Horsemanship” have graced the halls of the UK. Their last tour sold out within days as the opportunity to see the scholars of the Winter Riding School based in the Hofburg Palace in Vienna is a rare occurrence.
Their new show titled “Imperial Dream” sees an impressive display of classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école.
Visitors to the world famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna thrill in the absolute balance and harmony achieved by these beautiful White Lipizzaner stallions and their regal riders. Famed for their in-hand work and movements above the ground such as the Capriole, Levade and Courbette the Imperial Dream Show will feature all the classics but with a difference….
In keeping with their Austrian heritage the addition of live orchestral music and dance will add another dimension to this breathtaking extravaganza. Incredibly moving, highly sophisticated and full of the glamour of Imperial Vienna this is one ticket that lovers of horses and the arts won’t want to miss out
The promoters of The Spanish Riding School of Vienna UK Tour are also delighted to announce that TV presenter and horse lover Nicki Chapman will be host and commentator for the three UK dates.
Nicki Chapman rode as a child and a few years ago took part in the popular BBC series Only Fools on Horses for Comic Relief. Nicki’s career started in music and record companies and then took a turn when she was one of the judges on Popstars and Pop Idol a decade ago. Being a judge together with Simon Cowell, Pete Waterman, Dr Fox and Nigel Lithgoe made her a household name.
Chapman now presents some of the most popular BBC shows including Escape to the Country, Wanted Down Under as well as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
She was delighted to be approached by Live Nation and Universal to host and present this exclusive event: “I rode when I was a child and started again a few years ago. I really enjoy the freedom that riding gives you – and I must admit I do like the adrenaline rush that a gallop along the beach delivers! The classical style of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna is beautiful to watch and very inspiring – this is one show where my judge’s hat will be left at home – I am hoping I may get some advice from them.”
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna
Incredibly moving, highly sophisticated and full of the glamour of Imperial Vienna this is one ticket that lovers of horses and the arts won’t want to miss out on.
The Spanish Riding School of Vienna was founded in 1572 and is the oldest riding academy in the world. It has been based at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna in the specially built Winter Riding School since 1735. The classical equitation taught and performed by the Spanish Riding School has remained unchanged for over 430 years.
The Imperial Dream by the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Birmingham NIA:
Friday 16th November – Saturday 17th November– Sunday 18th November 2012
Tickets are now on sale and priced at £65, £55, £35 & £25 (subject to booking fee) and available from www.livenation.co.uk
- The School holds 72 stallions and 19 members of the equestrian team.
- New cadets at the school are called ‘Eleves’. Only after 8-12 years of training are they given the title of Rider and allowed to perform to the public.
- Lipizzaner stallions were chosen by the Spanish Riding School to perform classical equitation because of their good nature and intelligence, as well as physical grace and beauty.
- The School’s signature moves are known as ‘airs above the ground’ and include the Capriole, the Courbette and the Levade.
- The Spanish Riding School last performed in Birmingham in 2006
- 28 horses, nine riders and nine grooms are touring the world.
- The riders fly in two groups on separate flights to avoid the Schools heritage being lost completely in a disaster.
- The horses also have to be transported in three groups in state of the art horse boxes to avoid their lineage, which can be traced back to the 18th century, being destroyed in an accident.
