Riding school: The new boss looking for structure and millions

KURIER: There is always excitement at the Spanish Riding School. It’s about riders, horses, the balance sheet, the leadership. What did you take on?

Alexandra Kaszay: It was clear to me that everything wasn’t okay. But I don’t want to judge the past. I have to work through them and focus on the future.

Did you take an extra course in controlling before you started?

No. Controlling is part of it. I read all the documentation and studied the history. I learn every day.

You have long management experience, but no horse experience. Can you still attend riding school?

The people who work here are excellent professionals. I’m not a rider, but the horses aren’t my core task either. I have to create the basis for what the riding school stands for: excellent, classical horsemanship, dressage and breeding. You have to be able to work well again.

The criticism from former riders is: “It is absurd to put the management of a horse business in the hands of a person who is completely inexperienced in riding and hippology.”

There will always be critics. I read reports from 1921, and there was a lot of criticism back then too. But this company clearly needs processes and structures now. The economic basis has been lost. The equestrian art works.

Can you understand why there is so much criticism of the quality of the riding school?

Most of the time it is former employees who left in a dispute. When I meet one I say: basically you are criticizing your own work. They were there. I will not tolerate the Riding School being demolished. But yes: The reputation must be manifested again that we are a model company of high equestrian art.

Your two predecessors were only there for three years. Is that an ejection seat?

It seems so. But there were also managing directors who had been there longer. My contract is for three years, with an option for a two-year extension. That doesn’t stop me from acting in such a way that I have an impact beyond my time horizon. I am obliged and responsible for the future.

Management in state-owned companies: you know that well.

Yes, it is different. Stronger regulations, more compliance. I’ve always acted openly and transparently, so it’s not a big deal for me.

Your predecessor struggled with accusations. Is this job a political issue?

I don’t see it as a political issue. As a managing director you have rights and obligations and if you exercise these properly and responsibly, it has little to do with politics.

You can’t say anything about accounting irregularities in the past. But what do you do to ensure that the balance sheet is correct in the future?

It is important to set up clear responsibilities and clear processes.

Don’t they exist?

Many construction sites were opened but not implemented. It was analyzed, assessed, there were consultations – but nothing was implemented or executed. Control mechanisms are also missing. It’s my turn to set this up.

The riding school’s financial base has improved. The basic compensation from the ministry rose from 2.5 to 4.5 million euros. The balance sheet shows a delicate, black zero for 2024. Can the business be run profitably?

You can get by well with it in normal years. The big issue, however, is that there is an extremely large investment backlog. A lot wasn’t done. Then this embezzled million is still missing – and we don’t yet know whether that was all.

Could more money be missing from the cash register?

There was embezzlement by a former employee and it is not certain what will happen next. The accounting for the first half of 2025 was practically non-existent, and the further past is also being checked – with external support. Some of the matters are also up to the public prosecutor’s office.

They have to set up a lot and also maintain a lot.

Two years ago it was decided that the ceiling of the winter riding school would be renovated in 2027. From February onwards we will not have any events here for six to eight months. It is now urgent to find an alternative scenario. Unfortunately, the necessary planning was not started in a timely manner. This is about several million in income from entrance fees, animal welfare and logistics. We check intensively. There are also ideas for further renovations, but these are a question of financing.

So we’re not talking about profits in the near future.

No. But that’s not the mission either. The mission is to preserve the classic art of horsemanship and the breeding of Lipizzaners. The Riding School and the Piber Stud are a living cultural asset. It should cover costs and be self-sustaining. And so successful that we can develop and invest.

Is the riding school a tourist attraction or a riding school?

It is de facto a riding school, but it also benefits tourists. We are a top 5 tourist attraction in Austria and have a high added value.

There has always been this gap between management and riders. Why?

It’s because of general communication. These blockages also have to be broken down. Management sometimes sets guidelines that were not welcome. That’s probably where the discrepancies come from.

Are you already feeling the rough wind of the riders?

I was definitely greeted with skepticism. That’s okay too. There are many here who have been in the house for a long time. You can also have an opinion about it.

For 460 years, the first head preparer was in charge. Will there be a director of the riding track again? That was promised.

It was addressed, that’s true. We currently have three senior preparers who divide the agendas well. The world and types of companies are evolving. Things are currently going very well the way they are.

Do you feel that the riding school is still a strong male domain?

I don’t define my function and position by being a woman. I can demand things vehemently and am consistent. It may be unusual for some people to use their skills and have the will to be creative.

Where would you like to develop the riding school?

The tradition should be preserved, but carefully led into the future. We want to be a lot prouder again.

Is the riding school still needed?

Absolutely. You can’t deny your identity and history.