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The elegant white Lipizzaner stallions are bred at the national stud farm at Piber. The foals are born dark-skinned or black and acquire their trademark white coat between the ages of four and ten years.

The horses move from the stud farm to the Spanish Riding School when they are about four years old and are then trained for eight years, or sometimes longer, until they are skilled enough to perform.

The steps follow the rigid patterns of the “high art” of riding which was established during the Renaissance period. It is based on horseback battle manoeuvres. The most difficult part of the performance is the school quadrille, which involves a precise and exact framework of choreography.

Just like the horses, the riders have to go through an extensive training period for classical dressage and other riding techniques. The riders traditionally wear white jodhpurs and a double-breasted coffee-brown coat with brass buttons.

The Renaissance building in the Stallburg section of the Hofburg has a three-storey gallery, built during the reign Emperor Maximilian.

Since 1735 the Spanish Riding School has been located in the Winter Riding School building, designed by Fischer von Erlach in Baroque style.

The horses perform their ballet in the 56-m (180-ft) long hall. The gallery is supported by 46 Corinthian columns.

The box at the narrow side of hall was reserved for the emperor and his family.

A portrait of Karl VI riding on a white stallion hangs in the royal box. Riders entering the hall pay respect to the founder of the school by raising their bicorn hats to the painting.

In summer, performances and training at the Spanish Riding School are carried out in a courtyard adjoining the Winter Riding School.