Coughing horses cause cancellations at Austria’s renowned Spanish Riding School

Coughing horses at Spanish Riding School

VIENNA — Austria’s renowned Spanish Riding School has canceled performances because some of its elegant white Lipizzaner stallions have caught a cold.

Chief Financial Officer Erwin Klissenbauer says 30 of the school’s 73 horses developed a cough over the past few weeks. While 20 are still sick, 10 have recovered but need to rest up.

He said Friday that the canceled performances are those set for this Sunday and the weekend of March 27.

Every year, throngs of tourists from around the world watch as the horses, led by riders in identical uniforms, gracefully perform exercises and jumps.

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On the Net:

Spanish Riding School: www.srs.at/index.php?id=353