Horses catch cold, show cancelled

AUSTRIA'S renowned Spanish Riding School has cancelled performances because some of its elegant white Lipizzaner stallions have caught a cold.

Chief Financial Officer Erwin Klissenbauer says 30 of the school's 73 horses developed a cough over the past few weeks. While 20 are still sick, 10 have recovered but need to rest up. He said that the cancelled performances are those set for yesterday and the weekend of March 27.

Every year, throngs of tourists from around the world watch as the horses, led by riders in identical uniforms, gracefully perform exercises and jumps. AP