The eyes shine, the cheeks are reddened, and to break a shy giggling train. Had the honor of Hannah Zeitlhofer and Sojourner Morell, two brave young women with Dutt in aschblonden hair. They are the new attraction to the famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna.
It is almost lunchtime. The girls sit in the stall at a bank, on the wall are the saddles strung neatly. The floor is so clean that you could eat it. Both look tired, they finally have the whole morning already worked. The long legs dangle down, a little reminiscent of Hanni and Nanni, as twins on adventure tour.
That Zeitlhofer and Morell romp here, just a few meters away from the Hofburg, in their gray work aufgenähten gap with the emblem of the traditional riding - this is actually something like an adventure. A historic mind. Because their inclusion as Elevinnen in the club of precious time Reiter marks a turning point. The two are the first women in prominent training center.
436 years after the first written mention of the Riding School, formerly of Emperor Ferdinand I founded, now also a female page. One of the last pure Männerbastionen has fallen.
The Vienna Philharmonic was fine this step on powerful public pressure completed in 1997. Even the verschnarchte Staatsoper orchestra broke in that year alone with male domination.
A dream that was in fulfillment
The emancipation is an arduous thing. In Germany, the Law on Gender Equality adopted in 1957. 1972, as late as any other Western democracy, let the betulichen Swiss women at the ballot box. And now, in 2008, makes one of the most famous institutions seriously with the ideas of equality and equal opportunities: the world-famous center of the cavalry.
"I was very surprised when I asked to interview," says Zeitlhofer and grins. "That has never before so where." As a pioneer for the cause of women see they are not. In their homeland, the Lower Austrian 21-year-old horses studied, with her Haflinger Joker dressage tournaments on their abilities to move forward. Now, she says, she was just proud to be there to be: "Here you will learn about the high school of riding."
Sojourner Morell also practiced for the legendary team has always been a fascination, even from afar. The 17-year-old with eyes meerblauen previously lived with her parents in Saratoga Springs in the U.S. state of New York. She says it was a dream come true.
Morell is in the care of their horse box, Siglavy Narenta. Siglavy stand for the line of the father, says Morell - the Stallions are the pride of the school, only they are presented in the demonstrations. The second name was that of the mother. Then she grabs a pitchfork, takes an ordinary hub, and carries the manure to the outside. Still a loving smack, then closes it Boxentür.
No muck, no smile
Every five years, the riding on four new Eleven. You must work hard. The day begins at 6 am with the clock feeding the horses. By 7 clock is one hour horse at the Longe. As is meticulously at the headquarters gefeilt in attitude and leadership reins. Then the horse cleaned, including stables and yard lightning must be blank. By 14 clock is Feierabend. Six days a week is so. That apprentices receive 700 euros per month.
Three to four years in the stable, they must drudge, only then will be ceremonially Eleven-makers chosen candidates. Until they finally ascend into the noble ranks of the 16 generators, can a good ten to 15 years.
Discipline is important in the Riding School. Even the morning training of the noble Lippizzaner horses are strict rules: Always six horses at the same time in the room with magnificent chandeliers led even here the riders present at the performances from the audience like little kings celebrated, majestic in their uniforms, including Empire kaffeebraunem Tails. In addition, they Lackstiefel high.
Will be greeted formed in the middle of the hall, under Zück of the two peaks. Otherwise no Muck. No smile. That would deal with the "dignity of the House" is not tolerated, says top maker Andreas Berger, 43, a friendly Lord with open views.
That his elite Force recently also has female inlet, Berger finds great. "Thank God," he says as easily. "We no longer live in the Middle Ages."
An enthusiasm that not all shared from the beginning. There have been one or the other maker, who was unwilling gegrummelt says Berger amused. "But we've convinced them," he says, and winking with their eyes.
"Traditions can not be static"
The tradition of breaking at the riding school is a woman to thank. For a year, the energetic Society Lady Elisabeth Gürtler Director General, including the fine Hotel Sacher vis-à -vis the State manages. She sits in her office salmon, bears and expressive Ohrgehänge an accurate Föhnfrisur, on the walls hang paintings oversized horses. "I love traditions," she says, the rings on their hands sparkle. "But they must not be static."
Nobody had the male dominance in the riding questioned, said Gürtler. "It was simply unacceptable."
But it is business woman, through and through, they know what modern marketing is: "We can not stand still." Riding the financially struggling need for equipping the next millennium. They also belong to it, "to open".
The two must now Elevinnen every day anew to prove. In the shed it was funny, telling the girls, even when riding go it felt to be serious. A little afraid to do something wrong, they sometimes do.
Is there something from their male colleagues differs?
Yes, say both and nod. The upgrades without stirrups was quite difficult. In the upper arms simply lacked the power. Sometimes they need help from colleagues. "That annoyed already," says Zeitlhofer. "After watching all."
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