Calls for major change at the Spanish Riding School

A petition wants to “stop the destruction” of the school, after the departure of its previous chief rider last month

- BECKY MURRAY

A PETITION calling for major changes to the management of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna has had almost 12,000 signatures – as concerns are raised about the school’s future.

The petition, started by classical trainer Alfons J Dietz, who was based at the school as a rider for eight years, follows the departure of chief rider Andreas Hausberger, who was reportedly dismissed last month after 40 years. This departure comes three months after Alfred Hudler was appointed the school’s managing director.

The petition calls to “stop the destruction of the school” and states “if we don’t act now, we will lose this cultural heritage item for ever”. The petition asks for an “expert leader deeply rooted in classical horsemanship”, for the school to come under the Austrian ministry of culture – instead of the ministry of agriculture as currently – and for the return of retired chief riders.

Mr Dietz told H&H the Spanish Riding School is the “temple of classical dressage” and said it “pains him” to see its future under threat.

“I see the mission of the school in danger. According to the law of the riding school and the directives, it is the responsibility of the Spanish Riding School to preserve the classical art of riding,” he said.

“The aim of the petition is to give the riders the opportunity to implement what’s been mentioned.”

In 2015 the Spanish Riding School joined the UNESCO representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity, for its classical art of riding.