Ferien in Lipizza

A very entertaining series from my childhood that seemed exciting, exotic and reassuring all at the same time. Much better than the Black Beauty series, or Follyfoot for that matter. The black & white format gave it a dreamlike quality, as did the theme tune (some find it cheesy but I love it and still play it!)

This series brings back many happy memories, mostly of me 'galloping' up and down our back lane in gritty Newcastle pretending to be riding one of the White Horses. Sadly I never had the chance to ride a real horse but the power of imagination was strong. Would buy it if only a DVD was available. A retro dream 8/10.

This very charming older children's serial from Germany, and quite skilfully dubbed into English, has stayed in my affectionate memory for almost 40 years. If you love "Little House On The Prairie" you will most likely feel a similar reverence to this. Both contain all the best aspects of the adult world as seen with a morally good mind. At the time, few people had travelled to foreign lands and so the spell was set upon a strange world. The scenery, though in black and white, was so fresh, and now would still fascinate because of the unspoilt quality. All the main cast were readily welcomed, and Helga Anders, of course, who spends an adventurous holiday with her uncle on a famous horse breeding farm, immediately became a most lovable heroine. During the short series one is captivated by her character to become very much more interested in horses than otherwise. Although only 18 at the time, her acting was remarkable. Alas, it is extremely sad that she died in 1986 from a heart attack aged only 38. Such a unique loss.

White Horses was an upbeat, bright and breezy European light entertainment series that was ideal for Summer holiday viewing. In Germany it was known as Ferien in Lipizza (Holiday in Lipizza) and had a different theme tune to the Jackie Lee one we associate it with in Britain. The show was mainly aimed at girls. Boys used to run screaming from the room with their hands over their ears as soon as the opening theme came on but I am sure many would have continued to watch. To be fair, after a while and a couple of beers, and a while longer, and another beer, the tune does grow on you a bit. I read once that Jackie Lee added the additional harmonies herself when she had some spare time in the studio. She is probably right to be pleased with it.

The episode plots were generally uncomplicated with young Julia (Julka) zooming around the countryside on her favourite horse Borej, becoming involved in all sorts of simple adventures. Julia had no female competition in the show to spoil her command of events at the Lipizza stud farm, which was run by Uncle 'firm but fair' Dimitrij with his square jaw and shiny set of gnashers. He was almost as good looking as his horses. The male characters generally doted on Julia and she had a reliable friend and confidant in the person of harmless, lovable, bumbling Stanko. It is good to see a happy Helga Anders in this show, her life seemed to take a turn for the worse in later years. This is a good way to remember her.

White Horses is often compared with Follyfoot but really shouldn't be. Follyfoot was a more thoughtful drama dealing with main character Dora's youthful attempts to cope with loneliness and find her place in the world. She gained comfort caring for rescued horses. Julia also loves horses but spends her time happily bouncing around on screen like a Spring Gazelle.

When the youngest member of our family reaches ten years old l will sit her in front of the television with no prior information and put White Horses on to see if it still works it's magic. If she turns around and says: "Hey! What's this rubbish? I hate horses. Where's my Ipad?" l will be a bit disappointed. Expect a report back in eight years.

For some time only episode thirteen was known to exist in English, however I understand that the sound tapes have been recovered and the series is now available on DVD in the English language. I will look forward to watching as I remembered it. You can still probably also find the series in German with English subtitles. I already have this version.

A staple of holiday TV in my childhood (along with that interminable version of Robinson Crusoe) 'The White Horses' was a collaboration between RTS (Radio Television Serbia) of Belgrade and BR-TV of Munich, and followed the adventures of Julia, a fifteen-year old girl, played by Helga Anders, who leaves Belgrade to spend a holiday with her uncle Dimitri (Helmuth Schnider), on his stud farm where, with the help of head groom Hugo (Franz Muxeneder), he trains valuable white Lappizaners. In the opening story Boris, one of the horses, is stolen by gypsies who dye his white coat brown so that no one will recognise him. Julia and Hugo set off to find Boris and upon his recovery an affinity is formed between girl and horse thus setting the scene for the adventures that followed.

Originally shown in Germany as 'Ferien in Lipizza', in Slovenian it is known as Poèitnice v Lipici. It didn't reach the UK until 1968, when the BBC began broadcasting a dubbed English language version. Although the series still exists on film (in Germany) it is thought that the English soundtrack has long since been lost. The 'cheesy' theme song, White Horses, sung by Jacky, reached number 10 in the pop charts in April 1968.

The series provided pleasant entertainment in its time. The star, Helga Anders, died at the early age of 38. The sight of Ms Anders in riding breeches lingers fondly in my memory and I'm sad to know she is no longer with us.

Ferien in Lipizza AKA The White Horses,Dubbed into English at De Lane Lea studios london in 1968 and shown throughout the 70s until Jan 1978

when the BBC apparently destroyed the UK dub.The German original language films still exist and live at WDR studios Germany. Julia comes to stay at the Lipica stud on a long summer holiday,from Belgrade.The structures of the stories are well suited to Horse fans and also any one that wants to sit back and dream of far away places.Well that was what most of the children watching did when the series was first aired on BBC1.The theme song sung by Jacky (only the uk version) is perfect to introduce this dreamy series.The director obviously has an affinity with horses as this shows in the carefully placed cut aways to the Animals..Overall a masterpiece worthy of repeating (if only).