Lipizzaners in Slovenia

[Christy]

I thought I post a few pictures of my Lipizzaner encounters on our recent trip to Slovenia. We stayed at an inn that raised them, and where experienced riders can go on trail rides with the owner (inexperienced riders can take a lesson from their trainier). And then we visited the Lipica Stud Farm (founded in 1580!). The farm no longer supplies the Lipizanners to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, but it's quite an operation still. They do performances and operate a "tourist riding school."

We watched a training session at the Stud Farm:

Toured the barns (here, the fancy stallion barn):

Saw pastures full of horses:

Babies!!

Here I'm warming up in the ring at Pristava Lepena (our inn in the Julian Alps, in Triglav National Park), then I'm off with the owner to trail ride:

Here's the hotel link if anyone wants to stay at a horsey place in Slovenia!
https://www.pristava-lepena.com/en/pristava_lepena.php

So last year it was Andalusians in Andalucia, this year Lipizzaners in Slovenia, and the funny thing is, in May we are getting a house with my in laws in Provence where nearby are the white horses of the Camargue. I never had a thing for white horses but I guess I do now.

 

[Jenny]

I want your life.

 

[marzNC]

I want your life.

+1

 

[geargrrl]

This is really cool.

 

[Kiragirl]

how neat!

are the young Lippizzaners gray?

 

[Christy]

Grey or black, yup. And I learned a few never turn white! So you could have a black Lipizzaner.

This was part of a larger trip that also included Croatia and Bosnia. If anyone wants to see more pics of hiking in the Alps, the Croatian coast, Plitvice Lakes National Park and Mostar, Bosnia, I have some up here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2409398400536.144577.1418514061&l=07100123d9&type=1

 

[Jenny]

I'd been interested in Slovenia since I saw an episode of House Hunters International that was there but your pictures confirm it is seriously gorgeous!

 

[Christy]

I saw that episode! I would definitely recommend Slovenia. The scenery is a lot like Austria, but there are fewer tourists. It's very easy to travel around--you can't swing a stick without finding a helpful tourist info center to give you tips and directions. And everyone speaks English, since no one speaks Slovene. It was actually a little ridiculous to be in a foreign country and never have to think about speaking another language.

We drove through Kranjska Gora, their biggest ski resort and a stop on the World Cup. It would be really fun to ski there sometime.

 

[ScottishGirlie]

Stunning pictures!

 

[lucine]

I want your life.

Ditto!

 

[Jenny]

And everyone speaks English, since no one speaks Slovene.

Good to know - I was going to ask you about that.

 

[deannatoby]

So coool! A horse was my deepest desire growing up, never got one. I got to see the Lipizzaners in Montgomery, AL, when I was young and it was so exciting. I don't think anybody else in my school even knew what they were. So very jealous that you got to see them at their home and RIDE like that. In my mind, that makes you an A-list celebrity. So completely awesome and wonderful!

What a memory!

 

[Serafina]

OMG that stable looks amazing! And the horses! I am not a white-horse junkie, but there is something special about Lippzans and Andalusians...we have a farm around here that breeds Andalusians and Drum Horses.

The trip sounds fabulous too!

 

[Serafina]

OK...I just checked out the link to your inn.

 

[Strana1]

WOW!! Absolutely beautiful! I currently own a Lusitano, but 2 of my past horses have been Lipizzaners. I love the baroque breeds, they are like no other horses. My dream is to get to the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, but with this photos, this goes on my wish list too!