Lipizzan

The Lipizzan or Lipizzaner is a horse breed named for the Lipizza Stud of the Habsburg monarchy. The Lipizzan, a breed of the Baroque type that is often gray in color, is strong, matures slowly, and is renowned for its longevity. The breed is intimately linked to the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria, where the horses perform the Haute école or "high school" movements of classical dressage, such as the meticulously timed, stylized jumps and other maneuvers referred to as the "airs above the ground".

Today, eight stallions are recognized as the classic foundation bloodstock of the breed, all foaled in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. All breeding stallions include the name of the bloodline's founding sire in their names, and all contemporary Lipizzans can trace their bloodlines back to these eight stallions. Additionally, there are 35 classic mare lines that have been approved by several breed registries. The Lipizzan International Federation, which includes about 11,000 horses in 19 nations and at 9 state studs in Europe, is home to the bulk of horses that are registered. The majority of Lipizzans live in Europe; lesser populations can be found in the Americas, South Africa, and Australia.