Dancing white horses captivate crowds in Shongweni
The SA Lipizzaners put on a spectacular display for spectators in Shongweni, showcasing the famous white stallions' classical dressage skills.
THE South African Lipizzaners’ famous dancing white horses proved a major hit at Shongweni, with two sold-out performances drawing enthusiastic crowds recently.
For the Lipizzaners, the journey from their home in Paarl to Shongweni was a long one, but managing director and trainer Adriaan van Wyk said the warm reception from audiences made the trip more than worthwhile.
“It’s a very, very long way from Paarl to Shongweni for our beautiful stallions to travel, but it was a journey so worth taking,” said Van Wyk.
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“The sold-out shows were fantastic, but more than that, the crowds’ love for these animals was so very heartwarming. This is why we allow visitors to come to the stables and meet our gentle giants.”
Van Wyk expressed his gratitude to the community for supporting the performances and helping the organisation continue its work. He also thanked the Summerveld community for helping accommodate the travelling team.
“We extend our thanks to everyone in Summerveld who offered accommodation, food and grass for our riders and horses,” he added.
The South African Lipizzaners have preserved their unique equestrian tradition for more than 70 years, keeping alive classical movements that originated on the battlefields of Europe centuries ago.
“Watching a stallion perform a capriole, levade or courbette is therefore about far more than seeing a beautifully trained horse,” explained Van Wyk.
“It is a glimpse into a living history where audiences are witnessing 600 years’ worth of history flowing through their veins.”
As a non-profit organisation, the academy depends on donations, ticket sales and community support to provide the daily care, training and welfare required by its horses.
The organisation also invests in the future through youth development programmes, giving young South Africans opportunities to develop equestrian skills and work towards internationally recognised qualifications.
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