Today Queen Elizabeth II has visited our riding destination in Slovenia, to watch a classical dressage demonstration from the team at our Lipizzaner Dressage ride.

After watching the team perform on the famous white Lipizzaner horse, the Queen was presented with one such horse as a gift. The 16 year old stallion Favory Canissa XXII, nicknamed Kanizo, was presented to the Queen, but will remain at the farm to continue giving performances.

By tradition Lipizzaners get their names from the their parents. Colts have two names; Favory Canissa XXII is named after his sire, Favory, and mare, Canissa XXII. Filly’s have only a single name, given from their mare and the number incremented accordingly, for example a filly from the same mare as Kanizo would be named Canissa XXIII.

Far and Ride’s Emma Thompson visited the destination last week to see how preparations for the Royal visit were coming along. Whilst there, Emma watched a performance from the team that performed for the Queen and Prince Philip, and took a few lessons in dressage from the experts.

However, perhaps most importantly was Emma, pictured, taking the time to reassure Kanizo that his new owner wasn’t going to take him away, and he would get to continue doing what he loved.

Lipizzaners have been bred at the stud farm in the rural village of Lipica since 1580 and have survived war, occupation, and even capture by the Nazis. The stud is acclaimed for both its breeding of the horse, which are born black before turning white, and its world renowned team of dressage riders and carriage drivers who perform exclusively with the Lipizzaners.

The stud farm is a popular holiday destination, providing a hotel, golf and tennis courses, and a range of nearby activities from exploring caves to wine tasting. The biggest attraction, of course, is the opportunity for visitors to ride the famous Lipizzaners themselves, and receive lessons in classical dressage from the experts.

For those interested in visiting Lipica either to learn dressage themselves, or simply to watch the performances from the professionals, trips can be booked now, please contact us by phone or email.

For more information about exactly what is on offer, please visit our Lipizzaner Dressage ride page.