We are planning a surprise trip for my 14 (will be 15) year old daughter to see the Spanish Horses "at home" in Vienna. Any ideas when it is best to go? Her birthday is February, so after then would be best. Someone said they aren't always performing - can anyone help?

Esme, their web site is www.srs.at Its known as the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. I remember hearing that performances are few, but practices are free.

I saw those Lipinzaner (sp?) stallions in Wien, and you know what? I was never so bored in my life. Take your daughter shopping on the Graben instead. Believe me, a teenage girl does not want to look at dancing horses. She wants to look at boys and clothes. Love, JG

well, John, dont You think there are girls on this earth not interessted in boys and clothes. I think You never been to a theater for You are only on girls and beer ...

The real thrill of visiting The Spanish Riding School is the running of the horses prior to the performance.Starting near the front of the Hofburg, the horses run through the narrow streets chasing young tourists.Anyone who makes it all the way to the riding school is granted free admission.

Well, I'm glad I asked! I'll try your suggestion, thanks Dayle. My teenager would love to watch horses dancing, John G. don't you know anything about teenage girls?? She would also love shopping and looking at boys - but the horses come first!! I did see the Spanish horses a few years ago when they were over in London - I must admit that we (sis and I) weren't that impressed, quite nice but not what we thought, so I thought that maybe on "home ground" it was all somehow better. Maybe not?

We went to their practice session two years ago and I must admit it was fun for the first 5 minutes or so, but that was it. Perhaps I was disappointed in that we stood outside for over an hour to get a good seat (which really wasn't necessary as all the seats were good) but local tour guides would bring in large groups at the last minute and put them at the front of the line, which was a bit rude. Anyway, it's worth stopping in for a short time, but I would not go out of my way. As one other poster stated, it is just as exciting watching them arriving at the building as it is inside.

Esme, <BR> <BR>The experience IS much more magical on "home ground." The beauty of the surroundings is part of the charm of the performance, and the horses seem more comfortable. <BR> <BR>I went to the Spanish Riding School when I was a teenager, and took my daughter last year. Loved it more the second time, especially for the music. <BR> <BR>Performances are sold months in advance, but you can buy tickets for the rehearsal any weekday morning. To avoid waiting in line, the best thing to do is to go to the Spanish Riding School Museum at 9 or 9:30, buy the tickets there, see the museum, and then proceed to the School at 10 for the rehearsal. <BR> <BR>(I hope my information is current -- this July my hotel concierge said that the Spanish Riding School was going to be privatised at the beginning of next year, so they might change policies then -- best to check.) <BR> <BR>Your daughter's a lucky girl -- I adored Vienna at 15. Don't forget to take her to Schonbrunnen when you're there. Enjoy!

Thanks again, especially Carla. Will certainly have to think about it as this was to be the main reason for the trip. She'll probably just want to wander around the stables and "have a go" at joining in!!!!

http://www.spanische-reitschule.com/.../welcomee.html <BR>The official site. <BR>Yes it is with 2 ee-s

We just saw the beautiful performance on Sept.9 It was awesome to see the majesty of these horses in the same arena that was used for Emperor Franz Joseph! The riders still salute his picture! Even though the book may be a little young for your daughter, I'd suggest trying to get a copy of "White Stallion of Lipizza" by Marguerite Henry. (It would be a good "Hint" of what your are planning) Never did I dream when I was a girl reading this book that someday I would be sitting in the gallery in Vienna! Also if you have time, a side trip to the Piber farm near Graz gives a good history on the horses. Did you know that General George Patton arranged the evacuation of these beautiful animals from Vienna before the Nazis invaded Austria? I reserved my tickets on the website in April for Sept. Have a great trip!

Joyce a slight correction on the timeline - <BR> <BR>"Austria’s portion of the Imperial Stud was resettled in Piber, near Graz. World War II brought the most serious threat to the breed. Under the Nazi regime, the invaluable breeding stock was moved to Czechoslovakia and only returned to Austria under the official protection of General Patton after the Allied Occupation." <BR> <BR>http://www.anto.com/artikel14.html <BR> <BR>

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Hi Esme, <BR>I was in Vienna last June with my son (then 9). He liked the horses for about 15minutes, then he got bored. I agree with the other posters that watching the horses go back and forth between the stables and the arena is more interesting, and more up close. There are so many other wonderful things to do in Vienna, the Palaces, The Gardens, the shopping I would definatly go back, but I would skip the horses. Do take a tour of the Opera House. It is beautiful.

Here's a quick, cheap way to see the horses in training (by the way, these horses aren't the gorgeous white perfomance stars of the stable)in their palatial "school". Pop over to the the Riding School a few minutes before the end of the weekday training sessions & they'll usually let you in FREE (standing room only - but many paying guests don't stay for the whole session anyway, so you may luck into a seat). You'll get to see the fabulous architecture(the best part of the experience, if you ask me)& frankly 10-15 minutes of watching training manaeuvers is more than enuf.

The Spanish Horses were my biggest disappointment with my trip to Vienna. We went at the beginning of September 2001 when they return from "vacation". We did not go to a regular performance, which are sold out months in advance, we went to a practice. The manuevers that you typically associate with the horses (dancing around on the hind legs)were not performed. We stayed for the entire two hour practice and I was bored out of my mind after 20 minutes. All they did was walk around to some nice Mozart music and occasionally skip a little. Maybe the formal performances are different, more two-leg action, but I was soooo excited about this part of our trip and I was soooooo disappointed in the end. If you want to see an actual performance and not practice, then you cannot go during the middle of summer becuase the horses are on vacation. I would suggest May because you can see the horses, if you wish, but it is not extremely cold.

I too was a teenager once, and stayed with a family in Vienna who took me to see the Spanish Riding School. It was a wonderful experience. <BR> <BR>I was very enthusiastic about horses at that age and knew something about dressage so the performance was fascinating but the beautiful surroundings made it extra special.

I have to put in my two cents. I saw the Lippazaner Stallions here in the US. The show was in a college arena, with horrible lights and seating. I am a rider, my husband is not. I was truly fascinated for the entire length of the performance. My husband went along for the ride, so to speak, and spent all but the first 10 minutes people watching. It all has to do with your interests!! If my husband took me to a see Tiger Woods, I would be bored. If your daughter has an interest in horses, especially if she has done any riding, she will appreciate the skillmanship these riders have. I enjoyed it in Pennsylvania, I could not imagine being at the riding school.