Horsing around: the world's oldest Lipizzaner stud farm

So you love horses? You are probably familiar with the striking white/grey Lipizzaner horse.

If you are heading to Slovenia you might want to add Lipica to your list of destinations. It is home to the largest Lipizzaner stud farm in the world, is the cradle of the Lipizzaner breed and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The noble white Lipizzaner horses are native to Slovenia - one of Europe's most under-rated travel destinations and just a couple of hours by bus from Venice.

The original stud farm was established in Lipica in the Karst region in 1580 and is one of the oldest Lipizzaner stud farms in the world.

The Lipizzaner is closely associated with the Spanish Riding School of Vienna in Austria, where the horses demonstrate the haute école or "high school" movements of cclassic dressage,

The tradition of breeding these elegant white/grey horses, which are named after Lipica, is inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Visitors can admire the elegance of the Lipizzaner horses at classical riding shows and training sessions and experience the Karst region in a carriage or on horseback.

Visitors can tour an old barn with representatives of all the classic Lipizzaner lines, visit the Lipizzaner and horse carriage museum and learn about the special features of Lipica and the Karst region.

Choose from a guided tour, or exploring the estate on your own.

For details see https://www.lipica.org/en/products/visit-to-the-lipica-stud-farm/

Horse racing to end in Singapore

Horse racing is often controversial. 

Animal welfare issues, cruelty, "wastage" and deaths from race falls are frequent topics - but the sport generates millions of dollars.

Singapore, which has hosted horse racing for two centuries, has, however, decided enough is enough.

The Singapore Turf Club will close its doors in October and racing will end after being a popular pastime since British Colonial days 180 years ago. It was founded in 1842.

The course will be used for public housing as the Singapore Government says housing needs are greater than the need for people to see horses being whipped for entertainment.

"Singapore is a city state with limited land,” the Finance and National Development ministries said in a media statement.

The Turf Club was in the past popular with visitors, expats and locals. It was visited by Queen Elizabeth II at its previous Bukit Timah location.

The current course is at Kranji, near the Woodlands district adjacent to the causeway overlooking Malaysia. The 124- hectare Kranji grounds opened in 1999.

Horse racing started to gradually lose its appeal about a decade ago when Singapore got its first casino, Travel Mole reported.

Spectator numbers have fallen by about half since 2010 and the pandemic closure also took its toll.