The Making of a Royal Event
by Melody Fee

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Now, let's imagine the bride that dreams of arriving at her wedding site in a coach pulled by Royal Lipizzan Stallions to meet her groom! It's a "Cinderella" dream come to true! OSSN is excited to tell our members all about this wonderful opportunity to work with the Herrmann family and their Royal Lipizzan Stallions right here in Florida. The possibility to host a special group, wedding, or corporate function which can include a private show of these magnificent performing stallions is now available!

This wonderful family of equestrian experts has opened its private training arena and ranch in Myyaka, Fla. (only a few miles from OSSN's main headquarters in Bradenton/ Sarasota) in the months between November 2008 and May 2009 (and beyond) to host special events including corporate functions, weddings, and more! Their special arena is only minutes from the Sarasota airport and only one hour as well from Tampa's international airport.

Between June and October each year, the Herrmann family (under the direction of Gabrielle Hermann) tours the United States and delights audiences with the sheer perfection of these wonderful stallions. Due to the fact that they (just like OSSN members) would love to be able to generate more income from their home-based arena and ranch and not have to travel so extensively every year, they are developing these WONDERFUL new opportunities for events to be hosted here in Florida for special groups. Even cruise agents who are developing group cruises that will sail from Tampa might consider the opportunity to add a very special function that your clients may never get to see this "up close and personal" again in a lifetime!

As a special gesture, I would just like to add that, for any agent who is interested in promoting an event to be held in this area of Florida and would like to consider working with the Herrmann family to host a special event at their arena, I would be glad to speak with you about the facility and the opportunity at any time.

The history of these amazing stallions is just amazing! Founded in the 16th century for the exclusive use of the Hapsburg Royal family of Austria, the Royal Lipizzans are unquestionably the most rare and aristocratic breed of horses in the world. Only a few hundred have ever existed at any one time. Indeed, it is a contemporary miracle of sorts that this precious bloodline is not extinct, having barely been saved by General George Patton from the Russian advance during World War II. Assisting Patton in the clandestine mission to rescue the regal Lipizzans, Colonel Herrmann and his father (Colonel Ottomar Herrmann, Sr.) smuggled the horses out from far behind enemy lines, "riding at night and hiding by day." The Lipizzans' celebrated escape was recounted in the Walt Disney movie "Miracle of the White Stallions."

Joined by two subsequent generations of Herrmanns, Colonel Herrmann has created an American renaissance of classical equitation. His daughter Gabrielle, along with a wonderful group of family members who also love these stallions, now maintain a 200-acre ranch in Florida to ensure the propagation of this extraordinary breed.

During the normal winter training here in Sarasota, FL, the Lipizzans can be seen during regular practices on Thursday and Friday afternoons and on Saturday mornings. However, it is with GREAT excitement that OSSN spreads the word about this special opportunity for agents to consider incorporating these wonderful performing stallions as part of YOUR special events! You will find yourself royally rewarded!

For more information, go to www.hlipizzans.com or send an email to HLipizzans@aol.com.

Melody Fee serves as vice president of the Outside Sales Support Network. She may be reached at info@ossn.com.

(Credits: OSSN/Melody Fee)