Among all the riding schools in the world, there are a few that are exceptionally great. They have centuries of history and learning behind their methods, based on principles from the greatest names in classical riding. The skills these schools teach are so important, they have been listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
They are the most prestigious classical riding academies in the world. They are each dedicated to preserving their version of the classical art of riding. They use many of the same riding principles, but they also have their own traditions, unique to their culture and horses. Most of them have a cherished breed that they use exclusively and promote. Together, they are called the big four. They are the Spanish Riding School in Austria, The Cadre Noir in France, the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art in Portugal, and the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in Spain.
The schools are most famous for their classical dressage performances, which are huge tourist attractions in their respective cities. You, too, can go see them perform, but as an equestrian, you can do more than just watch. In spite of the pageantry, they are actual schools with education opportunities available, including short term trainings, lectures or seminars, and other educational opportunities. For anyone who is very serious about their classical riding education, you can apply to attend a school and get a four year education.
But you don’t have to get involved, you can still just enjoy the beautiful horses, tradition, and architecture. A visit to one or all of these schools should be on every equestrian’s tourist bucket list.
Let’s take a look at the schools.
The Spanish Riding School (Vienna, Austria)
The most famous of all the European riding schools is the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria. This is the oldest of the riding schools, having been in operation for 450 years. They are dedicated to classical dressage, and the breeding and training of Lipizzaner horses.
The school actually has three locations. The location most associate with the school is the “Winter Riding Hall,” in the Hofburg. It was built as part of the Habsburg imperial palace, and is located in the middle of Vienna.
The stallions used at the school are bred at the Piber Federal Stud, located in the village of Piber. Their goal is to preserve the Lipizzaner breed in it’s original form. They keep about 250 horses there, with about 40 foals born each year, and visitors are welcome to come see the horses. This farm is also famously the location where most of the breeding stock was stolen by the Nazis, as described in the book, The Perfect Horse.
The third location is The Training Center in Heldenberg, located in Lower Austria. This is the primary training farm, where the stallions are prepared for their performances in Vienna. But, they train riders as well – there are short term training courses for visiting riders. This is also the farm where the stallions from Vienna come to take a vacation from performing.
How to See it
The Spanish Riding School in Vienna: Watch the morning training, or see an evening performance.
The Training Center in Heldenberg: Take a 1, 3, or 5 day course
Piber Stud Farm: Offering tours and a museum
The Cadre Noir (Saumur, France)
After the French cavalry was decimated after the Napoleonic Wars, the school was created to train the new military and standardize the horse’s training. But even years later, as the need for a cavalry force disappeared, the government did not want to get rid of what was now a French heritage, and kept the school. It begin to teach all riders who wanted to compete at the highest level.
It functions to train advanced classical dressage to riders and horses through their training program and research days, and to provide public performances. The school is a large facility, over 340 acres, with every possible amenity a horse or rider could need, including 25 different arenas, 4 stables housing 500 horses, 31 miles of trails including cross country obstacles, a vet clinic, a farrier building, an amphitheater, and a library.
Unlike the other schools, the Cadre Noir does not work with one particular breed. Thoroughbreds, Anglo-Arabians, Hanoverians and Selle Français can all be found in their stables. But they do keep some Lusitano horses specifically to demonstrate the 16th century baroque method of riding.
How to See It
The Cadre Noir – Take a tour (make reservations in advance for English language), watch a training session with commentary, or attend a gala performance. Or for something more way more intensive, check out their different trainings.
The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (Queluz, Portugal)
This school is dedicated to preserving classical dressage in the Portuguese Baroque style, as well as the conservation and promotion of the Lusitano breed of horse.
This school goes back to 1726, as the riding school of the Portuguese Royal Family and nobles. Over the next 100 years, the Portuguese method of riding, called the Marialva Tradition was established. in 1821, the school changed ownership to the state government, but unfortunately this is also when the school became dormant. The school ceased operations for a time, and the Marialva tradition was kept alive in private until the school reopened in 1979.
The school exclusively uses Lusitanos bred at the Alter Real Stud. This bloodline was developed in 1747 and has faced extinction a few times, most recently during the 1910 revolution. Two stallions and several mares were saved to reestablish the line.
How to See It
Portuguese School of Equestrian Art – Get a behind the scenes look at the barn, warm up, and training of the horses, get a guided tour,
Couderlaria De Alter – Visit the Lusitano stud farm
The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain)
This school aims to celebrate and promote the equestrian arts in the Spanish tradition. It is literally in a palace filled with information, museums, stables, records, and everything that could be used to preserve this tradition.
The school’s most famous performance is “How the Andalusian Horses Dance,” with moves designed around classical and cowboy dressage, and put to Spanish music. Other attractions include seeing the trainings, vising the stable, visiting the museums and botanical garden.
A wide variety of trainings are offered, including horsemanship, carriage driving, saddlery and horse care. They offer 4 year specialty courses in these, as well as two week advanced trainings for the ambitious amateur rider.
How to See It
The Royal School: See the famous performance, “How the Andalusion Horses Dance,” view a training, tour the facility, see the museums.
Whether you just want to visit, or you’re looking for something more intensive, the big four offer a glamorous world of possibility. Impressive horses, training, and surroundings will leave you in awe.
Have you been to any of the big four before? What would you recommend to someone visiting?