Lets look at an animal industry with a standard that sells out every show it produces regardless of what country or what venue, with a proud 200 year + tradition. Note the gentleman above. He is a rider. The gentleman below is a chief rider. The fellows in the back ground above are neither of those, they are grooms hoping to become riders. There is a standard of skill difference in riding and training ability's between a rider and a chief rider. They are required to dress different to make that distinction. There is also a differing pay scale. A rider is not allowed to touch a horse that a chief rider schools, and a chief rider is to valuable to waste touching a horse that a rider exercises. You do not earn the positions by buying a horse. It does not matter how long your family has done it or who your friends are. You are not qualified if you are "cute or charming." The positions are earned by qualifications judged by a strict standard and folks more qualified then you. Some day if they study hard and learn well they can become Col's. which means a different pay scale. Hopefully someday a Director which means an even greater pay scale and privileges. 
We can assume these are chief riders above and below, well on their way to becoming Col's given the color of their mounts. I am wondering if this standard of qualifications along with the pay grade has anything to do with the success of their shows or the husbandry/training standard of this industry, in regards to tradition, pride, and new blood to carry on the history.
Courtesy of Southwest Lipizzan Association
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Spanish Riding School--Vienna Austria
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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4 comments:
This organization is now privately owned. Its "new" director is a woman, and in the first time in its history it has accepted two female riders, one of which is a former New Yorker. She was accepted because she was born in England. In my opinion it is one of the world's greatest riding institutions. Head rider, Andreas Hausberger is a really nice guy and he regularly gives clinics in California. Several years ago when the "new" SRS put up its website, it posted the emails of all the staff, including the riders. I was fortunate enough to exchange several emails with now Chief Rider Hausberger, and he even offered to have a set of long reins made for me by his saddler. Stupidly, I did not take up the offer. :(
-Chris
Chria,
I think it is important to be clear on what "privately owned" means, so folks don't assume somebody "bought it", and can do with it as they see fit. The allowing of female riders was a pc move that was a long time coming, as was their inclusion into West Point. What do you think about a show that uses only African American and Hispanic act's in a politically correct world.
Wade
"A special case of "autonomization" is the transformation of the Spanish Riding School with its White Horses to a company under public law. On the one hand the company under public law has a similar status than the scientific institution under public law, but the commercial aspect is emphasized. On the other hand the executive bodies of the company are similar to limited companies. There are two managing directors who are controlled by a board whose members are appointed by several ministries and the works council. The logic for this exceptional status of the Spanish Riding School can be found in its hybrid function to ensure the long-term survival of the White Horses as a national symbol6 on the one hand and to market the Horse Ballet as a tourist attraction on the other.
To sum up, we can find three different concepts of "autonomization" of cultural and art institutions in Austria according to their legal status: (1) the formation of limited companies, (2) the transformation to scientific institutions under public law and (3) the formation of companies under public law. Whatever model, thus, was chosen the ownership still belongs to the Republic of Austria which indirectly controls the "autonomized" institutions by appointed board members, trustees and curators.
I find it exciting that even this venerable institution of equestrian arts is becoming inclusive of all regardless of race, gender, or national origin. Perhaps the message of inclusiveness that we deal with in the youth circus community is reaching out and slowly making headway into the world of tradition and limitations.
Someone made a reference (I'm too lazy to track it down and quote) that obviously refered to UniverSoul. Well, we took our kids from our youth circus who are
asian, Afro-American, White American, Hispanic, and a bunch of in betweens to see UniverSoul and their mix of tent revival, circus, and rock concert as the guests of Cedric Walker and with the assistance of Manuel Ruffin and had the time of our lives. The kids were enthralled and this worn out has been was on his feet with one of the most energetic and exciting shows I have seen in a long while.
I was not the only American white man to learn to fly, I did not need generations to become a human cannon projectile, and I did some vaulting that got a seventh generation bareback rider to say "wow". It makes no difference what color skin, what nation you were born in, and all that garbage. If you can do the job well, the more power to you.
If I see a magnificent horse respond to a superb rider, I don't care if the horse is a "whatever" or the rider is black, white, male, female, hindu, moslem, or whaterver, I see beauty, grace, trust, respect, and joy in motion.
I've added something to my teaching motto.
It began as "Accomplishing the impossible must become habit, what is habit must become easy, and what is easy must be made beautiful" to include "Ask for a lot, be content with very little and reward often."
Thank you all very much.
Warren
Warren,
It is great for the Spanish Riding School, if they qualifications/standards they have set for hundreds of years are still met, regardless of nationality or sex. But if those standards drop to include it is very wrong.
You don't think a show that only used African American performers or Hispanic to give the illusion of African American is racist at the exclusion of any other nationality?
Would an All White American Circus be as acceptable?
I had a call a week ago, asking if I knew of a girl either black or Mexican who could present a liberty act. Those were the only requirements. Qualifications/experience, mental and physical health of the animals were not a consideration. Just a girl either black or Mexican. You don't think that reeks of racism as well as sexism.
What are those children learning about achievement and striving to do better and become the best available to gain the employment.
Wade
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