The Spanish Riding School looked back on a dynamic past year on Tuesday: In addition to a total revenue of 12.9 million, 2024 also brought some innovations, said Managing Director Alfred Hudler and Chief Rider Marcus Nowotny at a press conference in Vienna. Among other things, the work with a chiropractor for the approximately 400 Lipizzaners was newly introduced, and a project to optimize the stable climate was also started.

Misting Systems Announced

This year, a "very powerful ventilation system and misting systems for the horses" are to be put into operation in the Stallburg, said Hudler. "That's why we can now cool down the stable by a few degrees in the summer months," Nowotny explained. Furthermore, greening is planned in the historic Renaissance building that houses the horses' stables. "This is still a bit of a headache because the Federal Monuments Office has its objections here," said Hudler. "But we will manage that too."

Overall, the past year went "well" despite the challenges due to the general economic situation, reported the Managing Director. In this context, he referred to "a slight increase" in total revenue and around 356,000 visitors in the federal capital, which also represents an increase of 3.2 percent. At the location in Piber, Styria, another 40,000 visitors were counted.

460 Years of the Spanish Riding School

This year's 460th anniversary of the Riding School, Hudler wants to celebrate with a jubilee gala on May 4th. "Also a series of other events," as Hudler said, are to take place additionally. A finished concept is already in place for the "future project for a visitor center." "We want to tackle that this year," said Hudler. Currently, the Riding School is already planning tours from 2026. The start is to be a tour of France in February of the coming year.

(APA/Red)

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