Have a ‘White Horse Christmas’ with SA’s Lipizzaners

Are you dreaming of a White Horse Christmas? Well, captivate your family this Christmas with a performance of the South African Lipizzaners. Kick-off your seasonal celebrations with carols and musical fun, all to the hoofbeats of the famous Dancing White Stallions.

The SA Lipizzaners will perform on various dates throughout the holiday season in Midrand starting on 8 December 2019.

What to expect at the ‘White Horse Christmas’ with the SA’s Lipizzaners

Those wanting to attend can expect the magnificent ‘Dancing White Stallions’ or Lipizzaners perform a magnificent show. It is said to be a privilege to see these stallions perform as there are only approximately 11 000 pure Lipizzaners left in the world.

“It is indeed an extraordinary opportunity to see these magnificent stallions perform at the highest level in the southernmost country on the African continent,” says the FEI.

This year at ‘A White Horse Christmas’ organisers will also boast a Santa Photobooth with a ‘magical’ white horse. This will give people a ‘Christmas memory’ unlike any other for just R10.00 per photograph ordered.

Performance Dates

• Sunday 8 December 14:00-15:30
• Sunday 15 December 14:00-15:30
• Friday 20 December 19:00-20:30
• Saturday 21 December 14:00-15:30
• Sunday 22 December 14:00-15:30
• Monday 23 December 19:00-20:30

Tickets:

• R170.00pp (Adults)
• R120.00pp (Pensioners and Children aged 4-12 years)
• Children aged 3 years and under can enter for free (provided sit on adult’s lap and do not occupy a seat during the performance).
• Book your tickets online by following this link.

For more information, check out the SA Lipizzaners Facebook page.

Taking a closer look at the South African Lipizzaners:

According to the FEI, it was the need for a particularly strong and brave war horse that laid the foundations for the breeding programme that culminated in the Lipizzaner of today.

“A mélange of Spanish, Italian and Arab-Oriental horses led to what is considered the first “man-made” breed originating in around 1562. Courage, strength and agility remain notable traits of the Lipizzaner horse almost 500 years later.”

In 1948 the Lipizzaners made it to SA’s shores and in 1969 Major George Iwanowski built the first ever indoor school in South Africa which remains the home of the SA Lipizzaner Centre today. 

Two years later the first regular Sunday morning performance of the Lipizzaners was opened by the then Chief of The Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Colonel Handler.

Today the tradition of breeding and high school training continues in South Africa with a stud farm in the Gauteng Province and at the original equestrian centre.