Landmarks

Morning Exercise with Music

Duration

1 hr

Open today

9:00am - 4:00pm

4.4/5(314)

Dimitrios P

Couple

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

It was very interesting, but I had hoped to see a few more exercises that you usually only get to see during a performance—which, unfortunately, they didn’t have time for. In any case, the visit was still worth it because we learned and saw so much about the Spanish Riding School The information we could hear over the loudspeakers was very detailed.

Watch the Lipizzaners at work during their daily morning exercise inside the Baroque Winter Riding School, accompanied by classical Viennese music for an authentic, unfiltered experience.

See real training as riders focus on loosening, gymnastic work, suppleness, and muscle development tailored to each horse’s age and training level.

Observe different phases of a Lipizzaner’s journey, from young, still-dark stallions learning the basics to fully trained white stars refining precision and balance.

Choose how you watch, with reserved seating or standing areas offering different perspectives on the arena and the quiet rhythm of classical horsemanship.

Fun fact: The famous jumps like levade, courbette, and capriole are rarely practiced during the morning exercise. The focus is on long-term health, balance, and muscle conditioning that allows the horses to perform safely for decades.

Morning training session

Classical Viennese music

Entry to Winter Riding Academy

Category 1 reserved seating (option based)

Category 2 reserved seating (option based)

Category 3 standing room right (option based)

Category 3 standing room left (option based)

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

314 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Germany, United States, Switzerland and over 24 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Dimitrios P
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
It was very interesting, but I had hoped to see a few more exercises that you usually only get to see during a performance—which, unfortunately, they didn’t have time for. In any case, the visit was still worth it because we learned and saw so much about the Spanish Riding School The information we could hear over the loudspeakers was very detailed.
Christel L
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The morning exercise session at the Hofburg Riding School was great, and we really enjoyed it; we would have loved to take a few photos.
Schäfer, M
Group
Verified booking
Jun 2026
Everything was very well organized. The service was prompt and reliable. Watching the horses do their morning exercises was a pleasure, and the explanations were helpful. I would book this again.
Chiara B
Couple
Verified booking
May 2026
It was incredible! I was truly impressed by the elegance of days gone by and the love, care, and dedication of your jockeys!
Sylvia M
Family
Verified booking
May 2026
The show was truly a must-see for young and old alike—beautiful animals in an impressive setting. Even as a layman, I was guided through the program in a way that was easy to understand. Unfortunately, the ticket delivery didn’t work out at all for us; instead of three tickets, I only received one, and it was even under a completely different name. Fortunately, I was able to prove that there were three of us. Under different circumstances, we wouldn’t have been allowed in. Are the details I had to provide when purchasing the tickets secure? I have my doubts...

A rare chance to see the Lipizzaner stallions’ daily training inside the Baroque Winter Riding School, offering an authentic look at how centuries-old classical horsemanship is still preserved.

Getting started

The Spanish Riding School is located at Michaelerplatz, within Vienna’s Hofburg Palace complex. Enter through the Visitor Centre and arrive at least 5 minutes early to exchange your voucher for a physical ticket.

About the Morning Training Sessions at the Spanish Riding School

The Morning Exercise is not a show, but a working training session that reflects the real rhythm of life at the Spanish Riding School. Inside the Winter Riding School, riders guide the Lipizzaner stallions through loosening exercises, gymnastic work, and controlled movements designed to maintain strength, balance, and long-term health. Exercises vary daily and are adapted to each horse’s condition, making every session slightly different. While the famous jumps like levades or caprioles are only occasionally shown, the real value lies in observing how these horses are prepared over years to perform them safely and gracefully. This experience is ideal if you’re curious about how classical dressage works behind the scenes and want a quieter, more educational encounter with the Lipizzaners in their historic home.

What to bring

Carry a valid photo ID that matches the name on your booking, as it may be checked at entry.

Show your voucher at the Spanish Riding School entrance to collect your physical ticket.

What’s not allowed

Pets are not allowed inside the venue.

Photography and video recording are prohibited during the visit.

There is no cloakroom on site, so please avoid bringing large bags or luggage.

Accessibility

As the building is protected as a historic monument, elevators are not available. Visitors using wheelchairs or with mobility concerns should submit an access request in advance.

The Royal Box and the first and second galleries can only be accessed by stairs and may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility.

Additional information

The session lasts for 1 hour and starts at 10am.

Children aged 3–5 can enter free of charge but must sit on an accompanying adult’s lap. Reduced tickets apply for children aged 6–18. Entry is not permitted for children under 3.

Programs may change depending on operational requirements.

Tickets can be collected from the venue starting one hour before the scheduled activity.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.