[Dressurfan]

So the two young ladies have sucessfully completed their first month as the first female Eleves at the Spanish Riding School. My question to everyone for discussion is this: would you try out to join the Spanish riding school if you were age 17-21 right now? Why or why not?

[Caroline Weber]

Absolutely. Receiving that amount of in-depth instruction and having the time to perfect the basics? Opportunity of a lifetime.

My only question (I don't know a huge amount about the school itself): do the students pay tuition/room/board, or does the school view taking on students and their expenses as an investment in the future?

[daisyfields]

I would in a heartbeat, but I'm certainly no where near a level of riding where I would feel comfortable trying out. I didn't know you had to be between 17 and 21, guess I still have two years to get there I just love the discipline and the methods employed there. I would take the opportunity because I think a lot can be learned there.

[Ghazzu]

In a heartbeat.

[WindsongEq]

I would love to, but hubby and kids might make a fuss, plus I am a bit over the age limit if it is 17-21

[Dressurfan]

Caroline- I'm pretty sure the students have at least their room and board paid for. But anyone can feel free to expand on that.
The understanding is that students will stay there for most of their career and work their way up the ranks. It takes an average of 10 years to go from an Eleve to an assistant rider. So would you guys want to stay there for your whole life, or just want some great free training for a little while?
For me it would be a hard decission, I would love to live in Vienna and be a part of the Spanish Riding School, but it would be hard to leave my family and be so far away.

[Carol O]

Absolutely.

[freestyle2music]

The problem however is that you will need an European pasport to become a rider at the SRS.

[Caroline Weber]

The understanding is that students will stay there for most of their career and work their way up the ranks. It takes an average of 10 years to go from an Eleve to an assistant rider. So would you guys want to stay there for your whole life, or just want some great free training for a little while?

Heck, if someone else were paying my (minimal) living expenses, you bet I would stay for a few decades! There is such an incredible amount to be learned - if someone else is paying the bills and you do it for enjoyment and knowledge rather than prestige (you don't feel the need to be the next Anky ), why not?

[Bugs-n-Frodo]

I would, no doubt.

[texang73]

Absolutely!!!

Though, I don't have the age requirement, nor the perfection of the German language...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/6066139.html

[Weighaton]

Women have tried out in the past but apparently could not pass the entrance exam. Below is the link listing the requirements. Very interesting read.

http://www.srs.at/index.php?id=323

[Dressurfan]

The problem however is that you will need an European pasport to become a rider at the SRS.

very true Freestyle2music. I was just asking hypothetically. I'm just curious to see how widespread the interest is. It would have been my dream come true, but I wanted to see if it was others dream as well.

[UNCeventer]

I would love to do that. I am older than 21 though! Cant speak German, will French do?

Have there been any Americans that have done it? How exactly do you go about getting an EU passport?

[canyonoak]

Minimum age: 17 years -check! (older than minimum age)

Nationality of an EU member state - check! (am sure can find long-lost relatives in Europe)

Athletic and creative abilities - check! (no explanation needed, LOL)

Body height should not exceed 170cm; in relation to the upper body, the legs should appear long .A slim physique is required - uhhh...legs should appear long..? Slim physique?
Sure, why not! check!

Fluent German and a good command of English - umm, jawohl! check!

A strong affinity to horses and basic riding skills- check!

<g>

[merrygoround]

If they'd have me!

[slc2]

They really want a very long time committment. It's impossible for most people. I think it would be very difficult for a person of young adult age to be sure they want to spend their entire life any one place.

Dreamwise, sure. PRactically, most people, probably not.

[CatOnLap]

I wish. At 19, I camped out at the SRS for a couple of weeks and was such a pest, they let me hang out all day in the place.
I doubt the work has changed much, although that was more than 3 decades ago. Those eleves work bloody hard. They were at the stable at 6 AM to feed, muck out and groom. Then they worked their own assigned horse with a teacher. And done before 8 Then they bathed the horse, and went to work grooming the real rider's horses for the morning schooling sessions, which they were obliged to watch and learn and help. A quick lunch, hardly more than 20 minutes, and back at work, grooming and cleaning the real riders' horses, cleaning tack and mucking again. And preparing for the evening performance.

The eleves do a lot of grunt work. Few left the place before 7 PM, and many stayed until 9 to do the final feeds and clean up.

But what they learn? Oh to be 19 again!

[swgarasu]

I would have. If I met the requirements, which, being a U.S. citizen and only speaking English, I would not. Now, I'm too old, and have a family besides.

[didgery]

I am too tall, too attached (hubby and kids), too old, too American and too monolingual. If I was shorter, European, young, unattached, and fluent in German, would I apply? You betcha!

I'm slim. I have an affinity for horses and basic riding skills. Wonder if they'd want a gangly American housewife based on those merits??