MYAKKA CITY — Despite threats of foreclosure, the show still goes on for Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions ranch.
Winter training to prepare for the summer tour opened to the public the week before Christmas and will run through April. The show is free to the public, but people may make donations.
“Actually, the crowds have been pretty good,” said Heather Meyer, a trainer and performer in the show. “They’re training sessions so we use it to prepare for our tours. We like it when there are a lot of a people there.”
This year’s show is different, with new performers, Meyer said. That’s why they like to get the performers gradually accustomed to crowds before they hit the road in May or June. This past year, the group spent most of the tour in Michigan traveling to places closer together. Since the summer tour hasn’t been entirely booked, Meyer is not sure how far they will travel.
“With the gas prices going down, we’ll see what happens. Hopefully, we’ll be able to spread out a little more,” Meyer said.
The Royal Lippizan horse ranch had been battling increased costs and higher gas prices before facing foreclosure in August. Whitney National Bank has sued to foreclose on two land parcels totaling 171 acres, which had been put up for collateral on $1 million in loans and two future advances of $38,000, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.
Gabriella Herrmann and her daughter, Rebecca McCullough, were listed as defendants in the suit against the estate of Col. Ottomar Herrmann, Gabriella’s father. Herrmann started the ranch on Singletary Road, training the stallions for performances across the country. He passed away in 2004.
The family, who hired an attorney to fight the foreclosure, had hoped to sell a portion of the land for $3.4 million an acre, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.
Gabriella Herrmann and her attorney, Christopher Forrest, did not return phone calls Monday.
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