Lipizzaner Stallions

Saturday, April 16

Equestrian Feats at the Erwin Center

The Lipizzaner Stallions are the aristocrats of horses. These incredibly strong and beautiful horses were bred and used in war, became the choice horse of nobility and are now a living form of equestrian art. The lineage of these brilliant white horses could have come to an end in April 1945, had it not been for the orders given by General George S. Patton.

The story of the rescue operation is most dramatic. In early 1945, Vienna was under attack by allied bombers. Colonel Alois Podjahsky, head of the famed Spanish Riding School in Vienna, feared the valuable Lipizzaner Stallions would be destroyed and arranged for the stallions to be transferred by train to St. Martin’s, 200 miles from Vienna.

Coincidentally, elements of the U.S. Third Army moved into St. Martin’s at the time Podjahsky had quartered the horses there at the estate of a friend. An officer recognized Podjahsky and the stallions, and sent word to General Patton’s headquarters. Patton and Podjahsky had been old friends; they competed together in equestrian events at the Olympic Games.

Podhajsky arranged to show the Lipizzans to Undersecretary of War Robert Patterson and General Patton the following day. Patterson and Patton were so impressed by the performance of these aristocratic white horses that the General, at the request of Podhajsky, promised to make the stallions wards of the U.S. Army until they could be safely returned to their home at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.

Their performance at the Frank Erwin Center will include a thrilling segment called the “Airs Above the Ground.” These are spectacular leaps and maneuvers, once used by riders in saddle to protect and defend themselves on the battlefield, which are now preserved as an equestrian work of art.

Tickets for the “World Famous” Lipizzaner Stallions at the Frank Erwin Center Saturday, April 16 at 2PM & 7:30PM are $20.50 and $24.50 and GO ON SALE Monday, March 7 at NOON at all Texas Box Office Outlets (includes H-E-B stores in Austin, Bastrop, Bee Caves, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Round Rock, and San Marcos; Ft. Hood Bldg. #136 and Renaissance Records in Killeen), charge-by-phone at 512/477-6060 or 1-800-982-2386 or order on-line at TexasBoxOffice.com. THE FOLLOWING DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE ON ALL TICKET PRICES. NO DOUBLE DISCOUNTS: $2 off juniors 12 and under and seniors 62 and over, $5 off for groups of 20 or more. Groups should call the Group Sales department at 512-471-7744. Convenience charges may apply. All information subject to change. The Frank Erwin Center is a smoke-free facility. Convenient parking is available within walking distance in nearby state and University lots. For more information, call 512/471-7744. uterwincenter.com.