Home / Europe / Slovenia
Last Update: 23 Aug 2011

Riding Holidays | Slovenia

Slovenia is the original home country of the Lipizzaner horse. The breed originated at the Lipica stud farm which was founded in 1580. The stud developed the Lipizzaner breed or Lipizzan horse as it is also known by crossing imported Andalucians, Arabs and Barbs with local Karst horses. The Lipizzaners inherited their white colour and high stepping movement from these Karst horses. Modern Lipizzaners are noble and intelligent, have good stamina and grace of movement, combined with a calm temperament. They are ideally suited to classical dressage as well as many every day riding disciplines. There are now six national Lipizzaner stud farms in Europe, including Piber in Austria which is the base stud for the Spanish Riding School of Vienna.

In addition to the Lipizzaner stud Lipica now offers full horse riding holidays suited to all levels of adult rider and to children. It is the ideal destination for any rider interested in learning more about classical dressage. Here there is the chance to learn from experienced masters and lessons are tailored for your ability.

Horse riding holidays are also offered near to Bovec in the north west of Slovenia. Here experienced riders may join trail rides on Lipizzaner horse through picturesque countryside. Horse riding lessons are also available for beginner riders. The city of Ljutomer has a number of local equestrian centres nearby providing riding lessons and day rides. Some also offer horse drawn coach rides for tourists. Ljutomer itself is famous for trotting races at the city’s hippodrome.

Slovenia has a mild continental climate and the best time to visit for horse riding is between April and October. The country’s landscape is varied from the high Julian Alps in the north west, to undulating hills and open river valleys in the south and east, plus the Adriatic coast in the west.