The South African Lipizzaner Centre is a renowned equestrian facility in Kyalami and the stallions have entertained audiences with their beauty and grace for over 70 years. However, the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic has put this institution under considerable financial strain.

The facility is a non-profit organisation, dedicated to the preservation of the magnificent Lipizzaner horses in South Africa and their training follows the strict principles and traditions of The Spanish Riding School in Vienna. They protected their riders in times of war and were taught magnificently powerful movements to keep their riders safe.

Volunteer at the centre, Gina Boxley, is passionate about the Lipizzaners and hopes their history and legacy will continue in South Africa for many generations to come. During the lockdown, the the centre has had no income from shows and desperately need assistance to continue caring for the horses and the facility they call home.

Meet the talented Favory Odaliska

The South African Lipizzaners, located in Kyalami, introduce nine-year-old Favory Odaliska this week.
Rider Jhan-Mari van den Berg describes him as one of the most enjoyable horses to ride. “He is a real schoolmaster in training with the most incredible, floating half-passes he loves to share with all his riders. His lateral work is seriously flawless,” said Van den Berg.

Current rider Tyler van Musschenbroek said he crept into her heart very slowly, but now has a firm hold.

“I got him as a horse who was misunderstood,” she explained. “He was earmarked to jump, so he is talented on every front. Together, we found his place in the centre and now he can be used in almost every item.”

Van Musschenbroek said schooling him into the quadrille was effortless as he was quick to learn and willing to try new things. He also got into the all steps, movements and pas de deux routines in record time. “He is super talented! He is the sweetest little horse (and loves his food). He is a favourite with the children on a Sunday as he twists head to one side for carrots.”
“He is a typical Odaliska child though and has a tendency to be a little flighty sometimes. All you need to do is offer him a guiding hand and he will jump to the moon for you.”

Van Musschenbroek concluded, “My little piglet always puts the biggest smile on my face with his sometimes cautious but always gentle personality.”
Favory Odaliska is proudly sponsored by VVM Attorneys. Volunteer Gina Boxley appealled to the community to support the much-loved Lipizzaners during this difficult time of lockdown. “Every week we cannot perform makes it so desperately difficult to keep our team of Lipizzaners going. We need every bit of support we can get,” said Boxley.

She added that the Lipizzaners have had the most incredible support from loyal private supporters, but it is not enough to cover the high cost of feeding the horses.