caliber
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Queen gifted rare Lipizzaner horseQueen gifted rare Lipizzaner horse
17 hours ago
A rare member of the equine aristocracy was presented to the Queen on Wednesday on the second day of her state visit to Slovenia.
The Lipizzaner horse was given to the Queen as she toured a stud farm and riding school in Lipica, close to the Italian border.
Unaccustomed to the attention from a visiting dignitary and the world's press, the gift horse reared as the Queen passed, apparently spooked by the array of photographers lined up to snap its new owner.
The Queen flew into Slovenia on Tuesday at the start of a four-day state visit to central Europe.
Following a lavish banquet on Tuesday at Brdo Castle, on the outskirts of the capital Ljubljana, the agenda on Wednesday commenced with a theme close to the Queen's heart - horses.
Visiting the Lipica centre - famed for breeding Lipizzaners for the world-famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna - the Queen was treated to a display of the beasts in action.
Riders on eight snow-white graceful horses paraded around the showground, pirouetting and dancing for the Queen.
Following the display, the Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, was presented with Kanizo, a 16-year-old stallion chosen to be the royal gift.
One of around 9,000 Lipizzaners in the world, the centre's director Matjaz Pust described him as "one of our best performers, one of the most beautiful horses we have".
But Kanizo - or 085 Favory Canissa XXII to give him his full name - was obviously unsure of his new found fame.
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Jane Hurl
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Much as I'm sure the Queen was thrilled to be given such a horse ... what the hell will she do with it? Have it stand around in her field?
So, much as I think it was lovely that the Slovenians honoured her so, I think they should have kept the horse for breeding purposes ("One of our best performers, one of the most beautiful horses we have") and given her a gold framed picture of him instead!
Am I too pragmatic? *grin*
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caliber
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A GOLD framed picture instead?
I think my Lord still rides! But I think the gift was more as an introduction of his blood to the Royal Equine Empire.... for generations to come!
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Jane Hurl
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Yabbut ... aren't Queenie's horses all polo ponies and racers? Where, pray tell, would a Lipizzaner fit into the breeding program?
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caliber
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maybe LiPiz will be the queens next desire!
Here is the QUEEN and her coach of preference! I think Canissa XXII will be delighted to see his new JOB!
A visit to the stables and coach houses, designed by Nash in 1825, provides a unique opportunity to see how horses, carriages and coaches combine to produce the pomp and pageantry that are such an essential part of Royal State Occasions.
The State Coaches and carriages are on display along with the Royal cars. Among the most spectacular exhibits are the Gold State Coach with its panels painted by the Florentine artist Cipriani. It dates from 1762, and has been used for every coronation since that of George 1V in 1820. Also on display is the Irish State Coach used by the Queen for her journey to and from Buckingham Palace for the yearly State Opening of Parliament.
The Royal Mews are a must for all lovers of horses and Royal pomp and pageantry
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Jane Hurl
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The ONLY time that particular coach comes out is for coronations. They didn't even use it when Diana married Chuck. Noooooo, I don't think Canissa XXII will ever pull it! (Besides, aren't all the Royal driving horses black?)
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Kerry W
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This was at her Golden Jubilee Celebration. Apparently her favorite horse was out front (he died at age 25)...so I think she uses grey ones too. I'm sure she gets many gifts that sit on a shelf somewhere...that she doesn't "do" anything with. Who doesn't? It was a gracious gesture, and hopefully the queen has enough manners to not look a gift horse in the mouth. 
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BigJ
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She's a horsewoman and appreciates exactly what that horse is. She'll do what is right for the horse, Queen or no.
Some of England's royalty are very involved with protecting rare breeds of animals from goats to horses...several estates have been created and are managed by the world's best livestock specialist.
I'd cut her some slack if I were ya'll. Do you really think she lives a bubble? She's been involved in some of the top breeding programs in the world.
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Kerry W
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 I was cuttin' her some slack! I went and found a picture, and everything! 
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BigJ
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Sorry!
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Kerry W
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2
No problema...there was just no WAY I was letting such a prime opportunity to use the "gift horse in the mouth" comment pass me by. 
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Jane Hurl
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And me, I'm a Canuck. She's MY queen. I wasn't questioning HER. I wasn't even questioning the generosity of the Slovaks, which, obviously, was great. I was questioning the advisability of giving away one of the top studs in a rare breed.
On further musing, recognizing that she is a horse nut from way back, I wonder if she'll thank them, and then offer to keep "her" horse in Slovenia so they can use him for breeding purposes.
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Kerry W
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Oh...maybe they are retaining breeding rights, or have some frozen semen. I guess we'll have to wait for the tabloids to dish out the REAL details.
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BFF
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I think we should give the Queen a Paso Fino. How's that for promoting the breed??
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