2006 Vienna finalist Fernando Gonzalez took time out from the BA Tennis Trophy in Vienna to visit the Spanish Riding School, which is home for 73 Lipizzan stallions.

The 28-year-old Chilean visited the stables, including a meeting with a 15-year-old Lipizzan stallion called Conversano Tiberia, and watched the morning practice show at Vienna's Imperial Hofburg Palace.


“It was very nice. The horses are really taken care of perfectly. I’ve never seen this many white horses at once!” - said Gonzalez.

“My sister loves horses and has taught me a lot about them. I’ve been riding a few times and it’s really fun. I have to be careful though because it can be dangerous for my career but in the future I’m going to ride more for sure.”

“The buildings here are unbelievable. There is a lot of tradition here dating back to the 16th century.”

The Spanish Riding School is the world's oldest and only riding school that cultivates classical equitation. It is also the only institution in the world, which has practiced for over 430 years and continues to cultivate classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école. The Lipizzans are Europe's oldest breed of horses, with their origins dating back to the 16th century.


Mandatory photo credit: “Robert Zolles/ATP”

(story and photos thanks to Markus Reuter)

Fernando Gonzalez visits Vienna's Spanish Riding School