BUXTON — More than 300 years ago, a special breed of horses, the Lipizzans, were bred for the Hapsburg royal family of Austria and were considered the pride of the Hapsburg Empire, according to Gabriella Herrmann.

Brought to the battlefield before the use of gunpowder, the Lipizzans were trained to leap, fight with teeth and hooves and other maneuvers to “inspire fear in the hearts of enemy foot soldiers,” said Herrmann, owner of Herrmann’s Original Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria.

Fourteen of Herrmann’s stallions will perform in “Airs Above the Ground” this weekend, beginning tonight, at Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center in Buxton. The center provides therapeutic riding for people with physical, emotional and developmental disabilities.

Proceeds from the performance will benefit the center and be used for its scholarship fund.

The Lipizzan breed was first established in the 16th century by Archduke Charles at Lipizza, said Herrmann. It was developed for the exclusive use of the Hapsburg royal family and none were ever shown to the public.

People knew about the horses, she said, but never saw them.

That was until the horses were rescued 65 years ago during a clandestine mission by U.S. Army Gen. George Patton, who saved them from a Russian advance during World War II. Patton was assisted by Col. Ottomar Herrmann Sr. and his son, Col. Ottomar Herrmann Jr., and the escape is celebrated in the Disney film “Miracle of the White Stallions.”

The Herrmann family has cared for the rare breed for 300 years, said Herrmann.

In the 1960s, she said, her grandparents brought Lipizzans to the United States and began touring with them. They live on a 200-acre farm in Florida and travel across the country to perform.

The Lipizzans are noted for their agility, strength, endurance and intelligence, said Herrmann.

During the “Airs Above the Ground” performance, they execute a number of leaps and other maneuvers developed for the battlefield. One such maneuver is the “Capriole,” which was used when a rider found himself surrounded. He would give a signal and the stallion would leap into the air, kicking out at the very top of the leap, above a man’s head.

The “Courbette” is another move, which was used when advancing on an enemy. The stallion would rear up, leaping forward like a kangaroo and fight with his hooves and teeth while the rider battled with his sword. In the “Ballotade,” the stallion rises on his hind legs and strikes out over and over with his forelegs.

Herrmann said her biggest joy is the audience reaction to the stallions’ performance.

“There is something for everyone” in the horse show, said Herrmann.

“Children like them when they bow and leap,” she said, “seniors know their history, and horse people see much work goes into their care and performance.”

The new target audience is those who were youngsters when they first saw the Lipizzans perform, and are now bringing their children to view the performance, said Herrmann.

In addition, she said, the stallions “are true performers. They really enjoy what they do.”

The only uncertainty is whether the performances can continue.

The downturn in the economy has had an impact, said Herrmann. For instance, she said, during the three-month performance season, all shows are concentrated in a certain part of the country to save on fuel and other costs.

The family is hopeful that the show will go on.

Herrmann’s daughter, Rebecca McCullough, works with her mother and said she would like to continue performing with the Lipizzans. She noted that while the breed was once almost on the brink of extinction, there has been a resurgence.

In addition to the “Airs Above the Ground” performances, the Lipizzans are being bred for dressage and other types of riding and performance.

Hopefully, said McCullough, future generations can continue working with the horses. Already, McCullough’s 3-year-old daughter, Sydney, is riding. Someday she may want to carry on the family legacy, said Herrmann, caring for and performing with the breed of horses considered one of the most aristocratic in the world.

The “Airs Above the Ground” takes place tonight at 7 p.m., Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Horses can be viewed up to two hours prior to show time. Advance tickets are available at Rosemont Baker and at Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center, 63 Justin Merrill Road, Buxton. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $20.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.