Odd News of the SRS

from the Lancashire Telegraph:

The 140th Great Harwood Agricultural Show, May 26, will be moving to a new and larger show grounds.  Great Harwood is a small town in the Hyndburn district of Lancashire, England, 4 1/2 miles north east of Blackburn.  To highlight the last show at the traditional site, special events and exhibitions are scheduled. 
These special events include:  
ferret racing, a Romany fortune teller, archery contests, and  ... 
"A demonstration of show-jumping from the Spanish Riding School, with riders wearing traditional Spanish flamenco costume, on horses of Andalucian origin."  
I hope they post photos. 
--Delphi

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/hyndburn/headlines/display.var.2246301.0.great_harwood_shows_farewell_to_traditional_home.php

Most Riders of the SRS will be in the USA for Clinics this Summer

(more information as it becomes available)

July 7-11, 2008. SRS Chief Rider Andreas Hausberger Dressage Clinic at Raflyn Farms Dressage Center, Snohomish, Washington. Contact John D’Addamio at johndaddamio@gmail.com or Ralph Dreitzler at raflyn@aol.com

July 9-13, 2008. SRS Rider Christian Bachinger Dressage Clinic at Indian Creek Farms, Spring Branch, Texas. Contact Rebecca Dabbs at info@indiancreekfarmtx.com.

July 11-15, 2008. SRS Rider Rudolf Rostek Dressage Clinic at Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center, Augusta, Michigan. Contact Jorie Sligh at joriejay@comcast.net or visit www.dressageclinics.org

July 14-18, 2008. SRS Chief Rider Andreas Hausberger Dressage Clinic at Across the Diagonal Farm, Carmel, California. Contact Jennifer Roth at jrdressage@gmail.com

July 16-20, 2008. SRS Rider Christian Bachinger Dressage Clinic at Wellspring Farm in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. Contact Melanie Adams at madams8550@aol.com or visit www. Lipizzanerhorses.com

July 17-19, 2008. SRS Rider Rudolph Rostek at Greystone Equestrian Center, Hartsburg, Missouri. Contact Susie Gordon at whitneygt@hughes.net or Sharon Rose 573-268-4366

July 19 - 21, 2008: SRS Assistant Rider Marius Schreiner, Liston Stables, Woodcrest, CA. Contact Deanna Cummins at deanna@equineclinics.net or 909.731.7983. More info at www.equineclinics.net .

July 19-22, 2008. SRS Rider Herbert Seiberl Clinic at Blue Water Dressage Stables, Bridgeport, Michitgan. Contact Jorie Sligh at joriejay@comcast.net or visit www.dressageclinics.org

July 23 - 25, 2008. SRS Assistant Rider Marius Schreiner, Malbis, AL. Contact Teresa Simmons at tms@alabamasoutherncross.com or 251.402.7621.

July 24-26, 2008. SRS Rider Herbert Seiberl at Green Bay, Wisconsin. Contact Amy Tewes at atewes2002@yahoo.com

July 26 - 28, 2008. SRS Assistant Rider Marius Schreiner, New Berlin, New York. Contact Sarah Casey at waltzinghorsefarm@gmail.com . More info at www.waltzinghorsefarm.com .

July 27 - 29, 2008 - SRS Rider Herbert Seiberl at Caduceus Farm in Broomield, CO (near Denver). Contact Peggy Judy at caduceusf@mac.com or 303-475-2608. More info at www.caduceusfarm.com.
August 8 - 9, 2008. SRS Rider Herwig Radnetter clinic at Shellhaven Farm, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Contact Rachel Wehrheim at ialipizzan@yahoo.com or 319-624-2546.More info at www.ialipizzan.com .
August 15-17 2008 -- SRS Rider Herwig Radnetter clinic at Highland Stables, Beavercreek, Oregon. Contact Jenice at 306-563-1035.

TBA – SRS Rider Herwig Radnetter clinic at Valhalla Farm, Welborrn, Florida Call 386-063-4619 or email Valhalla@alltel.net

Is anyone back in Vienna minding the Spanish Riding School? --Delphi

News from the SRS's Website, January 30, 2008: SRS–Piber Statement on Auditors’ Report

• The two new Managing Directors Elisabeth Gürtler and Erwin Klissenbauer, who were appointed on December 1st, 2007, are taking the observations made by the Court of Auditors very seriously. A number of recommendations have already been implemented and during the next months others will follow.


• The Spanish Riding School – Federal Stud Piber is one of Austria’s most important cultural institutions. Classical dressage is cherished and maintained in the unique setting of the historical Winter Riding School built by Fischer von Erlach.


• Commercial Development


• It was clear from the beginning that in the commercial development of the enterprise which was released from the Federal Administration in 2001, the first years would generate a loss. As stated by the Court of Auditors a significant improvement was achieved in 2006. Measures are currently being implemented that will enable further improvements on both returns and expenses.


• One must take into consideration that especially in the first years after the spin-off comprehensive and long-overdue necessary investments had to be made, notably with regard to the improvement in horse husbandry, which were covered among other things by financial funds from the federal government and by the sale of individual real estate.


• It must be stated that both the Spanish Riding School and the Federal Stud Piber are cultural establishments which certainly have the potential for improvements, however, generating profits is not a priority, especially taking into account the numerous statutory remits.


• Budget management is conducted with the outmost commercial diligence.


• Sponsoring


• Concerning sponsoring activities a new, comprehensive concept is being drafted and great importance will be attached to the quality in the attendance to sponsors.


• Events and Tours


• The new management has already increased the number of performances for the year 2008, in accordance with the School Director especially taking into account the requirements of the horses.


• The planning of tours is undergoing a complete realignment. It is important to emphasize that tours are generally seen as an investment for the School into different markets, which in the long term should generate economic viability.


• Staff


• Concerning the riders’ income a new salary system is being developed, which will take into account the points of criticism voiced by the Court of Auditors.


• Real Estate


• With regard to the existing real estate at the different locations a real estate concept is currently being drafted based on the principle of generating current income through real estate management.
  
  

SRS to Tour East Coast in 2010

This news comes from Gary Lashinsky who has been in Vienna meeting with the Director of the Spanish Riding School.

The Spanish Riding School tour of the West Coast, planned for 2008, has been postponed indefinately.

In 2010 the Spanish Riding School will return to tour the East Coast of the USA. Further information will be posted as it becomes available.

New Items at The Lipizzan Store

*
www.Lipizzan.org/store.html or www.cafepress.com/LipizzanStore

Spanish Riding School Will Return to Tour USA Possibly in 2010

Gary Lashinsky, President and Producer of White Stallion Productions, indicated that he spoke with Mrs. Guertler, Managing Director of the SRS, about the SRS returning to the USA to tour. Future USA tours will resume possibly in 2010.

News from the SRS's Website, January 11, 2008: Savings Plan in SRS–Piber To Be Continued

• Since the so-called spin-off from the Austrian Federal Administration in 2001 the financial situation has never been ideal. The new management, Elisabeth Gürtler and Erwin Klissenbauer, intend to accomplish the balancing act of on the one hand remaining an institution true to its Imperial traditions and on the other becoming an economically sound enterprise.


• Such an undertaking requires long-term measures and a change in thinking at all levels. Therefore, the planned and necessary changes will not stop at any area of the company with its three locations in Vienna, in Piber in Western Styria and the Lipizzaners’ summer quarters in Heldenberg, Lower Austria. Detailed savings potentials are being developed, such as the best possible use of various real estates in Vienna and in Piber.


• At the moment, the currently available draft report by the Austrian Court of Audit is not under discussion. As soon as the final report is released by the President of the Austrian Court of Audit, which is expected to be in the next 1-2 months, an official statement on the report will be made. This audit was the first since the spin-off seven years ago.


• Until then the famous white Lipizzaners were under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management. This arrangement dates back to the First Republic when the subject “animal” was associated with agriculture and not for instance with culture or the then still exisiting Ministry responsible for buildings. The currently applicable employment contracts and salary schemes which apply to long-serving employees also date back to these times. Recently employed staff are subject to contracts applicable to companies run under private law.


• It will be more important than ever to convince employees of the necessity to collectively bring about a change and perhaps accept the loss of one or two fond privileges. However, such realignments require time, patience, tact and a willingness to talk on both sides.


• Elisabeth Gürtler: „I am always willing to listen and am prepared to take up constructive suggestions. We aim to jointly discuss possible measures not only with the equestrian team, but also with the employees from the back office, such as the administration or the technical department. We want to hear each and everyone’s wishes and concerns.”