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Whether you’re a horse lover, Lipizzaner admirer, or have never seen a horse nor heard of a Lipizzaner in your life, this is one event you don’t want to miss.
The famous dancing white horses - the South African Lipizzaners – are coming to Shongweni Club on 30 September and 1 October, before heading to the Karkloof Polo Club in the KZN Midlands from 3-4 October.
The horses are trained according to the principles of classical dressage – a tradition that goes back centuries to military horsemanship.
Some of the movements performed - including the famous Capriole, Courbette, Pesade and Levade - were originally developed to give mounted soldiers an advantage in battle.
Today, they are performed for their beauty and technical skill, giving you the chance to watch a remarkable partnership between horse and rider.
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A South African equestrian story
While the Lipizzaner breed has its roots in Europe, the South African story is particularly fascinating.
The breed was established in 1562 when the Habsburgs began breeding Spanish horses at Lipica, in what is now Slovenia. Lipizzaners are famous for their distinctive white coats, although they are actually born dark and gradually lighten as they mature.
During the Second World War, Count Jankovic-Besan fled Hungary with his family and Lipizzaner horses as Soviet forces advanced. Determined to protect the animals, he travelled hundreds of kilometres across war-torn Europe, even disguising their white coats with oil and paraffin so they would not be seen as a source of food.
After eventually reaching England, the family and horses sailed for South Africa, arriving at Durban Harbour in late 1948 before settling in the Mooi River area of KwaZulu-Natal.
Their story continued through Major George Iwanowski, who developed the first South African Lipizzaner performance team and established an equestrian centre at Kyalami in Joburg.
The South African Lipizzaners have since become an important part of the country's equestrian heritage, with the non-profit organisation now based at the Mistico Equestrian Centre outside Paarl.
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What you need to know
- Dates: Wednesday, 30 September - Thursday, 1 October 2026
- Time: 12pm
- Location: Shongweni Club, Shongweni
- Tickets: From R150 via Quicket
- Good to know: Wednesday is a classical performance, while Thursday is a Disney-inspired performance for all ages.
- Dates: Saturday, 3 – Sunday, 4 October 2026
- Time: 12pm
- Location: Karkloof Polo Club, Karkloof
- Tickets: From R150 via Quicket
- Good to know: Family-friendly; food and drinks will be available. Bring your own chairs or picnic seating. Both are classical performances.
- More information: www.lipizzaners.co.za
Whether you're already a Lipizzaner enthusiast or simply looking for something different to do, expect an elegant afternoon of spectacular horses, impressive movements and centuries-old equestrian tradition.
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