Lipizzan Dressage Clinic

Introduction
Slovenia Slovenia
The Lipizzan Riding Center near Sezana, is a green oasis established by the Austrian Archduke Karl of Hapsburg  in 1580 in order to breed the spirited Lipizzaner horses. As characteristic for their breed, the colts and fillies are born as a brown or mouse-grey color, which becomes  the infamous grey as they age. Here the horses are trained according to the principle of classical dressage. Hidden Trails now offers you the opportunity to train on these magnificent horses.

The riding center uses the classical riding methods to achieve unity and harmony of the rider and the horse. Here tradition and a modern approach go hand in hand.

Accomodation


Accommodation
This is a stationary ride so you will be staying at the same location every night.

Description
Hotel Maestoso is a 4-star hotel set in the middle of a peaceful and natural green surrounding, close to the city of Sežana. Named after one of the classic lines of Lipizzan stallions, the hotel is a perfectly designed building that blends in perfectly into its surroundings. The hotel offers 139 rooms and is located directly at the Lipica Stud Farm.
Your package includes accommodation in standard rooms. It might be possible to upgrade to a higher room category on request for an extra fee.

** If Hotel Maestoso is not available due to renovations, private booking, etc. - our guests will stay at a nearby hotel such as Hiša Krasna in Lokev or at Center hotel in Basovizza. Transfers between these alternative hotels and the riding will be organized and provided at no extra cost.

It offers comfortable pet-friendly (supplement to be paid) rooms that feature air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and private bathroom with hair dryer. A terrace or balcony is available in certain rooms.
Wi-Fi is available in common areas and is free of charge.
There is a laundry service available to guest for an extra charge.


Rooms for solo travelers
These rooms are reserved for solo travelers as they are smaller in size. They include the same amenities as standard rooms.


Standard rooms (included)
These rooms offer a view of the surrounding landscape and the stud farm. These rooms are simple, with a modern decor.


Deluxe rooms (upgrade necessary)
These rooms are more spacious than standard rooms and offer extra storage space.


Comfort rooms (upgrade necessary)
This is the largest room category.

Room Occupancy
Triple and quadruple room might be available on request. Please, inquire at time of booking.
There are rooms reserved for single travelers. However, if double rooms are also available for single occupancy with a single supplement. 



Meals
Only breakfasts are included in the package.

The Hotel's Restaurant, serves traditional Karst dishes with a modern twist. Meals are prepared from fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. You will be seduced by the tempting smell of home-made Karst specialties, which taste even better when paired with excellent local wines (drinks not included in package).

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions (including vegans) with advance notice.

Riding

There is usually no riding on Saturdays (an additional private session can be booked on Saturdays)

Riding Experience
Riders participating in the program must be able to ride independently at the walk, trot and canter and know the correct use of aids. Riders must have ridden at least 100 hours in the last 2 years.
The weekly riding program includes 5 riding days (trail rides) with an average of 3+ hours in the saddle every day.

Riding Gear
Helmet is compulsory regardless of age. For kids 15 and younger, a back shield is also mandatory.
Other mandatory riding equipment include riding pants and riding boots.

Horses
The Stud Farm is committed to ensuring care, treatment, accommodation and breeding of all categories of Lipizzan horses in accordance with the highest ethical, ethological and technological standards.
The Lipizzaner breed has built its exceptional reputation due to its characteristics which include: elegance, docility, endurance and a moderate nature.
The school horses are well trained and are able to perform lateral movements like shoulder in and half-pass, but no flying changes, piaffe or passage that are typical elements of higher dressage level.

The Stud Farm
The stud farm was founded in 1580 and, today, it is a jewel among the cultural and historical monuments of the Republic of Slovenia. For over four centuries, the Lipica Stud Farm has nurtured the tradition of breeding and selecting thoroughbred horses. In the period after World War II Lipica established its own classical riding school and has successfully performed with its horses at various equestrian events all over the world.
Today, Lipica is a world famous recreational center with a hint of tradition, offering its visitors unforgettable moments of relaxation.
The Lipica estate now includes two hotels, a golf course, tennis courts, mini golf, saunas, swimming pool, gym, casino and, on top of all that, our herd of noble and proud white beauties from the Karst, residing in their historic stables and nurtured throughout the centuries.

Itinerary


That program is available for beginners and more advanced riders.

Both options include 10 dressage lessons split over 5 days (2 riding lessons per day: 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon). Each lesson is 45 minutes long (+15 minutes to prepare the horse) for intermediate riders and 30 minutes long (+15 minutes to prepare the horse) for beginners.
The instructor chooses the exercises in line with rider's knowledge and ability.

The Stud Farm teaches dressage, following the principles of classical dressage. Classical dressage was developed in the past centuries based on dressage of horses for battle purposes. For the rider in the battlefield, a horse with a good command of pirouettes, change of gallop, side passes and other elements is sometimes of vital importance. This skill has developed to the greatest extent in Spain. The basis of the classical dressage is natural capability of an animal. The basis and aim of classical dressage is the preparation of a horse and a rider in psychophysical and technical sense to perform harmonized moves performed in free movement without force and at the highest level of concentration.



Non-Riding Activities
There are many activities available for non-riders including cycling, hiking, Casino, mini golf, golf, visit of the stud farm & carriage ride.

Golf *
The international Golf Klub Lipica is located directly on the Stud farm. The 9-hole course was built in 1989 in accordance with the designs of Donald Harradin, a worldwide known designer of golf courses. It is the only golf course in Slovenia that remains open throughout the whole year. It boasts of picturesque fairways and practice range where the Academy of Golf without Borders is located.

Visit of Lipica Stud Farm
Get to know the history of the stud farm all the way from its foundation until today. Find out everything you wanted to know about Lipica and the Lipizzan horse. A visit of the Stud Farm includes the visit of the old stables, entrance to the Lipikum museum, visit of Avgust Černigoj Art Gallery, access to Karst House & visit of the Valley of Our Lady of Lourdes and the Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua.

A Tale of Lipica Show
Many centuries ago, a story of love, pride, and beauty began at the green Lipica estate. This new show of the Lipica Classical Riding School narrates the story of the exceptional stud farm heritage, the white Lipizzan horse, and its connection to the rider. We invite you to experience the elegance of these white horses and listen to the universal language of beauty. Let A Tale of Lipica impress you as it impressed many visitors.

Carriage Ride (one session of 30-minutes included)
Our coachman will take you for a romantic drive around the property of Lipica through the centennial tree alleys, which were also used by the Hapsburg royal family!

Cycling *
Those fond of active holidays can find many cycling trails in the Karst surroundings of the estate. This region will attract cyclist who desire a safe and diverse landscape, away from busy roads and enjoy dirty trails and tracks combined with asphalt roads. Cyclists can discover different parts of Karts including viewpoint peaks, remarkable blind valleys and steep cliffs on the edge of plateau. A network of cycle paths is well-marked, helping you to find your way.  And when you feel hungry, find a Karst inn and enjoy the typical air dried ham – ‘pršut’.
A cycling package can be arranged for you - please inquire.

Sightseeing
A walk through the mysterious underground world of many Karst caves is a unique experience in itself. You may also explore the cultural heritage of Karst villages where the interaction over thousands of years between natural phenomena and the influence of man, whose work helped shape the curiosities, is undoubtedly eye-catching.

Hiking trails
The area of the cultivated Karst landscape of the Stud Farm, which is under the special protection of monumental heritage, encompasses pastures and meadows with protective fences, oak groves and avenues of trees. The man-made landscape is an integral and redesigned natural environment whose development is based on many centuries’ tradition of horse breeding. 
In view of the immense importance of this area, we would like to familiarize visitors with this location. For this purpose a network of nature trails and promenades of various lengths have been arranged within the protected area. The planning of trails was underpinned by the basic principles of monument management which added another dimension to the core activity of horse breeding. Our nature trails will lead you through the remarkable man-made landscape of the Stud Farm. The legacy of our ancestors includes not only typical Karst pastures with isolated oaks but also many other elements of the man-made landscape such as Karst ponds, wells, ice-pits, mines, limekilns, carved boundary markers and much more.

*: extra fee applies (inquire for rates)

Rates and Dates for Lipizzan Dressage Clinic

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Lipica
Airport: Trieste, Italy
Transfer: Trieste or Sezana train station

Climate:
                                                    Lipica area