There is a sudden intake of breath as a white stallion propels himself into the air with a combination of power and control, kicking his legs out behind him, as if flying. His rider is unfazed, quietly sitting atop this force in motion. As the horse comes back to the ground, his touchdown resembles a gymnast's well-executed dismount. All legs are square beneath him and the only sign of his previous exertion is a hair that sticks out from under the rider's triangular hat.

The team has completed the "capriole," only one of the many awe-inspiring movements in what is known as "the airs above ground." Moments later, the horse rocks back on his hind end, his muscles straining under his snowy coat, as he struggles to maintain his front end a perfect 45 degrees from the ground, in what is known as a discipline in balance, a Ballotade.
All eyes are on the horse and rider as they gracefully prance down the side of the arena. After this display of grace and might, there is no question as to why the Austrians are proud to consider these horses a symbol of their country.

Remarkably, not only are these horses a source of national pride, but they are also officially named Austria's National Treasure. In essence, these stallions are a direct link to Austria's past, their breeding and training having been carefully documented for more than four centuries, from the earliest days of the Habsburg Empire to the present.
The best Andalusians, Barbs and Karst horses were meshed together to create this outstanding breed. The mode of training used on the horses can be traced back to ancient Greece, to the classical cavalry teachings of General Xenophon. For hundreds of years they have represented military prowess, grace and elegance.
Even the United States has had a hand in preserving this national treasure. During World War II, General George Patton, in collaboration with members of the Hermann family, led the perilous "Operation Cowboy." This mission rescued about 500 Lipizzans from the path of the incoming Russians. However, only in these last few decades has an American audience been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these pieces of European history.

All of the movements preformed by the Lipizzan echo military tactics that were necessary to keep the horse and rider out of danger during battle. In the chaos of war, there must be a clear but unspoken relationship between horse and rider. The horse must be completely obedient to the rider, regardless of his surroundings. This is displayed in Piaffes and passages, what most people describe as the dancing movements.
The difficulty arises from the fact the horse must not only be disciplined, but also extremely fit, with the strength to literally jump into the air. Naturally, that kind of strength could easily overpower the rider. This is why Lipizzans have been meticulously bred not only for their short muscular body type, but also their willing and intelligent disposition. This combination yields the movements preformed in "the airs above ground."
These movements, such as the capriole, are used as an offensive move. As the hind legs shoot out behind the horse, any threat from the rear is quickly disposed of, while the rider can continue with the fighting ahead. Another movement, known as the Courbette, trains the horse to literally hop on his hind legs, while striking out with his front hooves and clearing a path for horse and rider.

As the performance draws to a close, the last spectacle is a military Quadrille, with a number of horses marching in unison. Each movement is mirrored by the partner horse on the other side of the ring, creating what looks like a symmetrical dance. Every beat coincides with the strains of Mozart or Tchaikovsky that compliment the Quadrille. It is easy to see the direct connection with our modern day Dressage.
As the last white tail disappears from sight, it is hard to believe that these beautiful, graceful animals were also the protectors of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They are the epitome of restrained power.