ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — While it wasn’t the “airs above the ground,” members of the Florabama chapter of the Deep South Dressage and Combined Training Association got a chance last week to learn from “Bereiteranwärter” Marius Schreiner from the world-renowned Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Austria. The school is the home of the world-famous Lipizzan stallions.

Members of the club brought their horses and ponies from all over the area to the Baldwin County Coliseum so both riders and horses could work under Schreiner’s expert eye.

“He came to this country and is only giving three clinics, Los Angles, here and New York, said Teresa Simmons, president of the Florabama Chapter.

“We have seven riders here,” said Simmons.

Schreiner was pleased with what he found in Alabama.

“They are doing well,” said Schreiner. “The biggest thing is teaching the people. We have to get the horses in front of the aids.”

Schreiner says that he has been with the school since 1996.

“I was riding for two or three years, and then I took a test,” said Schreiner.

While many horses might have the right breeding, there’s a certain something trainers look for in a stallion for the SRS.

“You see young horses trying to leap,” said Schreiner, “and you say, “let’s try this horse.’ Not every Lipizzan is good. The horse has to be happy to do that.”

Hosting the event “was a natural” for the coliseum, said Melinda Hankins, the facility’s events coordinator.

“We’re just getting open,” said Hankins. While there are a number of conditions to be met for a group to use the facility, Hankins and her husband, A.B. “Sonny” Hankins are happy to discuss them. They can be reached at 947-3247.

For Savannah Simmons and her 13-year-old mare, “Klaske,” the class was a dream come true.

“This is her second year in training,” said Simmons. “She’s had six foals.”

Savannah has been riding for 11 years, since she was in “the first grade,” and having Schreiner in for a class “was a treat.”

For Michelle Muller of Daphne, getting a little more training for her paint pony, “Sox,” was the main reason for coming to the event.

“I’ve had her (Sox) for five years, said Muller, a student at the University of Montevallo. Muller, a Daphne resident is also the Simmons’ barn manager.

“Riding and horses are my passion,” said Muller. “I have been riding since I was 5, when my parents took me to a fair.

That pony ride started something.

“I begged my parents for lessons,” Muller said, adding that she got “Sox” when she was 14.

Having Schreiner here to give a lesson was a great opportunity, said Muller.

“It improves your riding,” said Muller. “It gives you more understanding with your horse.”