This is definitely for Cool World. Lipizzan Stallions----Breed for leaping!

The Lipizzan, or Lipizzaner (Slovene Lipicanec), is a breed of horse closely associated with the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, Austria where the finest representatives demonstrate the haute ecole or "high school" movements of classical dressage, including the highly controlled, stylized jumps and other movements known as the "airs above the ground." The Lipizzan breed dates back to the 16th century, when it was developed with the support of the Habsburg nobility. The breed takes its name from one of the earliest stud farms established, located near the Kras village of Lipica (spelled "Lipizza" in Italian), in modern-day Slovenia.

The Airs As These Specticular Jumps are called are hard to do.

The "airs above the ground" are the difficult "high school" dressage movements made famous by the Lipizzans. They include:

• The levade: a position wherein the horse raises up both front legs, standing at a 45 degree angle, entirely on its hind legs in a controlled form that requires a great deal of hindquarter strength.
• The courbette: a movement where the horse balances on its hind legs before jumping, keeping his forelegs off the ground and his hind legs together as he "hops."
• The capriole: a jump in place wherein the stallion leaps into the air, tucking his forelegs under himself, and kicking out with his hind legs at the height of elevation.
• The croupade: similar to the capriole, but both fore and hind legs are tucked under the body at the height of elevation.

Usually a Lipizzan horse will not learn more than one "air" during their performing career.^[3]

Other moves include the piaffe, passage, pirouette, flying changes, extended movements, and other Classical dressage movements

Take a look at one of these magnificient horses. I have seen them in action. They are above awesome. The way they do the separate jumps which they are in training for a long time are done with such grace. Your mouth opens with awe as you watch them. I was privileged enough to watch the Lippizzan Show when it came to St.Louis and I was awestruck by it.