Lipizzaners try to recover following hard lockdown
KYALAMI – Not being able to perform for several months has had a negative effect on the SA Lipizzaner Centre.
While the South African Lipizzaners are thrilled to be allowed a larger audience under lockdown Alert Level 1, the major challenge will be to fill the auditorium on a weekly basis.
Volunteer at the SA Lipizzaners Gina Boxley explained that the lockdown has been a long and difficult road for the Lipizzaners. The strict lockdown has meant that many have lost their jobs or been impacted financially as a result of the pandemic.
“As desperate as we are to keep our SA Lipizzaners going, we are still reeling from the financial loss of not being able to perform for so many months. The financial implications have been staggering when you consider all the expenses that still have to be paid on a monthly basis,” said Boxley.
“Looking after 62 mares and stallions is a tall order and as you can imagine, the loss of income has impacted our centre in a way we could not have imagined.”
Boxley and others work hard to keep the heritage of these stallions alive. “We are not just entertainment, we are a history that needs preserving.”
Boxley said that not being able to pay their professional riders a living wage has impacted on performances. She said that while there is a huge love and passion for the stallions, riders cannot be expected to dedicate their lives to a career that cannot pay a living salary, which the centre has to work hard to achieve.
While the Lipizzaner team is grateful for the ongoing support they receive from the general public and generous donors, they are desperate to receive corporate sponsorship that will understand the importance for this historical legacy and continue the honour of having these performing stallions in the country.
Boxley said that the SA Lipizzaners cannot advertise as they would like to. “We are amazed that there are still so many people in our country who do not even know who or what the Lipizzaners are. If you cannot advertise on major platforms then trying to keep people informed is an incredibly difficult task.
“We want the whole country and world to come and see our stallions, not just a small part of the community.”
Details: To find out how you can assist, email stallion@lipizzaners.co.za
