Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The Spanish Riding School of Vienna...

The Spanish Riding School of Vienna troop of 30 Dancing Lipizzaner stallions were rescued by U.S. General George Patton 63 years ago. The Lipazzaner breed has existed for over 425 years.

The Spanish Riding School of Vienna was founded in 1572, and the school maintains equestrian traditions and skills passed on for centuries, dating back to ancient Greece and refined in Vienna over hundreds of years.

In war-torn Austria during World War II, the school and its horses stood at the brink of destruction, but General Patton's 2nd Cavalry saved them. The story was recreated in the 1963 Disney film "Miracle of the White Stallions," starring Robert Taylor, Eddie Albert and James Franciscus, and released on DVD a few years ago.




To see more stunning photos from The Spanish Riding School of Vienna click here.

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