Lipizzan Stallions Returning to North Adams
 The Lipizzans will perform at Joe Wolfe Field beginning Friday at 7 p.m. |
Herrmanns' Royal Lipizzans fit the fairy-tale image perfectly but are not figments of the imagination. These exquisitely beautiful white stallions will perform on Aug. 28 through 30 at Joe Wolfe Field, giving young royalty a chance to see the steeds of their dreams.
Sponsored by the Friends of the North Adams Public Library, the fundraiser will benefit the library; tickets may be purchased there, at the gate or at naplibrary.com. Cost is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and $8 for children 6 to 12.
"We ask the director of the library to submit a wish list," said Edna Rudnick, president of the Friends. "And we raise funds to cover them."
For more than a quarter century, the money the Friends raise through tag sales, book sales, etc., has gone toward covering the cost of improving the building and its holdings.
Housed in the impressive Blackinton Mansion, the library once had a ballroom on the third floor. But room for dancing did not serve any of the library's needs, so during a $100,000 renovation, the third floor was converted into spaces for public meetings, a special collections, staff and more.
"Many renovations have been made over the past five years," said Richard Moon, named interim director after Marcia Gross retired in June. One of the most notable achievements was the library becoming Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified, making it the only green library in Massachusetts.
The Friends provided other local libraries with two free tickets to the Lipizzans' performances to be awarded to children who completed a summer reading program. Molly Shine and Elizabeth Erdeski, who participated in the programs at the Milne Public Library in Williamstown and the Adams Free Library happily anticipate watching the Lipizzans perform.
The Royal Herrmann Lipizzans have performed in the area before, including in 2001 and 2004 in North Adams.
Lippizans had been bred for Hapsburg royalty in Europe for more than 200 years and trained in dressage and precise leaps known as "airs above the ground." If not for Gen. George Patton, there would be no Lipizzans: the breed might well be extinct.
The general, an avid equestrian, and the 2nd Cavalry ensured the rescue the horses, which were in the path of armies marching through Eastern Europe in 1945. Col. Ottomar Herrmann assisted Patton in that daring mission and lived to tell of hiding the Lippizans by day and riding them by night. The Disney film "Miracle of the White Stallions" was based on the rescue.
After World War II ended, Herrmann made the United States his home, settling on a 200-acre ranch in Florida with his family and Lipizzans. Because his greatest wish was for people to see the elegant white stallions, he took them on tour annually.
Strict control of breeding ensures the propagation of this rare breed known for superior intelligence, enduring strength, exquisite beauty and grace.
Herrmann, considered the world's greatest trainer of Lipizzans, died at age 75 in 2004 while in Cape Cod on the last leg of a tour. His daughter Gabriella honors his wish, continuing the tour.
"Ten of us — riders, trainers — travel together on tour," said Sharon White, Gabriella Herrmann's assistant. "We leave the ranch in June and return the last weekend of October."
The Lipizzans will present a varied program at Joe Wolfe Field, including the dramatic and difficult "airs above the ground." The horses' leaps and plunges "was a military maneuver in the era when only nobility and high ranking officers used Lipizzans," White said. "A general on top of his horse surrounded by foot soldiers in battle would make that maneuver to get clear of the line."
When the Lipizzans are on the ranch, younger horses are ridden regularly, usually four times a day. Older horses are more geared to the routine, White said.
"We start ground driving our horses when they are about 3 or 4 years old, and start riding them around when they are 4 or 5, depending upon their maturity. Just like children they mature differently," she said.
Lipizzans have one of the longest life spans in the horse world, living well into their 30s. One of Herrmanns' stallions is 28 years old and still performs.
"Our horses are definitely performers and love the applause they receive from the people," said White. "They thrive off it and it really shows when we have a packed house."
