Lipizzaners welcome newest addition

The South African Lipizzaners have welcomed a brand new member to their family as spring began.

Recently, a filly (young female horse) named Etela was born at the organisation’s stud farm which is located near Hartbeespoort Dam. She is the first Lipizzaner foal to be born this breeding season, and although she was quite large, the birth went well. The South African Lipizzaners have been in South Africa since 1944, when a few of the animals were rescued from war-torn Europe and brought over to this country.

Etela’s birth means that there are now 31 Lipizzaners at the stud farm, while the rest of the animals stay at the Lipizzaner grounds in Kyalami.

“She is a very strong and proud foal and is doing very well,” said Julie Meijer, the stable and stud farm manager of the South African Lipizzaners. “We are expecting two more foals this season, the mare Eljen is due from 23 September to 8 October and Nima is due from 26 September to 11 October.

“We are [also] in the process of planning the new breeding season which will start very soon.”

Etela, like all the horses of her breed, was born black in colour. It is expected that her colour, like her parents, will fade as she becomes older until she is eventually white.

“Etela will grow up in a herd environment and eventually she will become a breeding mare to grow the Lipizzaner bloodline,” Meijer explained to Fourways Review. “All our mares, foals and young colts [males] are based at the stud farm. From the age of three the young colts are transferred to the SA Lipizzaner Centre in Kyalami where they start their training.”

“Only the stallions are trained as traditionally the mares are used for breeding and are trained to go into harness.”

The SA Lipizzaner Centre puts on performances every Sunday morning for members of the public, where the stallions show off beautiful movements such as jumps and trots to the delight of audience members. As a non-profit organisation, the centre is always looking for support from the public.

“There are different [ways the public can support the centre],” Meijer said. “One of them would be to sponsor a mare or foal or young colt which is based at the stud farm, the other would be to sponsor one of our stallions which are based in Kyalami.”

Details: The South African Lipizzaners Facebook; stallion@lipizzaners.co.za

Related article:

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/138029/horse-riding-champs/