History

On July 8th, 1966 the constituting general meeting was held in the rooms of the Spanish Riding School, chaired by Dr. Ferdinand OTT (head of department in the Ministry of Agriculture).

The proposing committee consisted of
Sekt.-Chef Dr. Ferdinand OTT
Sekt.-Chef Dr. Fritz MEZNIK
Genearl August RÜLING
Obstlt. Hans HANDLER
President: Dipl. Vw. Philipp von Schoeller

Lt.Col. Hans HANDLER explained during the constituting meeting that it is the responsibility of the Spanish Riding School to produce top quality performances with the best possible stock of horses.

On October 13th, 1991 the organisation celebrated its 25th anniversary. At the AGM 1993, Dr. Marius MAUTNER MARKHOF was elected president - a position he still fulfilled till he died march 2005.
The successor now is Dr. Richard SCHMITZ, elected unanimous at the general meeting from april the 27th.

In 2001, the Federal Government excluded the Spanish Riding School from Federal Administration and transformed it into a self-regulated economic body under common law, which now acts under the title of „Company Spanish Riding School and Federal Stud Piber“.
Expecting the tasks of the „Association of Friends of the Spanish Riding School“ to change and to get a different emphasis with this move, it was decided at the 35th AGM of November 3rd, 2001 to accept new categories of members. The ordinary membership is now extended to include supporting members and donators.