Esther Buonanno, Program Director at Tempel Farms, announced that the family of Esther and Tempel Smith announce the closing of the Tempel Lipizzans program.
"For a variety of reasons, our ownership family is moving in different directions," said Buonanno. "For 65 years and 3 generations, promoting and preserving the Lipizzan breed and classical horsemanship has been a passion for our family, those who have worked closely with the horses and community members near and far."
Tempel Farms
In the late 1950’s Tempel and Esther Smith attended a performance of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and were impressed with these beautiful animals and started a venture that would change their lives forever.
Tempel Smith brought these horses to the United States, but also started a school of riding modeled after the Spanish Riding School to teach and spread awareness of the art of classical riding and dressage. In 1958 the Smiths imported twenty horses, mostly pregnant mares, to Spring Grove, IL. Over the next ten years the Smiths recruited the help of many professional breeders, veterinarians, and riders to grow their herd and to maintain the quality of the herd and the riding.
During that time they started to put on performances for private events or special occasions. In 1969 the East Good Luck Stables in Wadsworth, IL, current home to these Lipizzan stallions, was purchased. The Tempel Lipizzans have been asked to perform all over the country including performances at the White House and in several Inaugural Ceremonies.
In 1982 the first public performances were put on at the East Good Luck facility. At this time the herd was at its largest with around 400 Lipizzaners. It was at this point that Tempel Farms was acknowledged for having the largest herd of privately owned Lipizzaners in the world and it was also the only private facility to breed, train, and perform all in the classical manner of the Spanish Riding School.
George Williams on Conversano II Sarissa and his
student Jennifer Leffingwell on Conversano II
Belvedera.
Growing Talent
Trainers such as Karl Milkolka and George Williams, Jochen Hippenstiel, Ted Goad, Linda Leffingwell, and Alf Athenstaedt were just a few who were closely connected and worked out of Tempel Farms.
The farm in Wadsworth, ILL, also hosted numerous editions of the North American Young Riders Championships as well as clinics with Conrad Schumacher.
Disbanding the Herd
Tempel Farm will cease its public programming including performances and tours, educational programs like lessons and rider training and boarding operations for horses outside of TLC ownership.
"Over the course of the coming 1-2 years we will carefully place each horse and, as always, provide quality care for our horses," said Esther.
"On a personal note, this decision did not come lightly for me. These changes will make space for me to grow in new directions and to have more time with my family. The Lipizzan horse remains close to my heart and I’m certain I’ll find meaningful ways to support the breed in the future. I intend to update you here in the coming months on our progress and with gems from our remarkable history."
Photos courtesy Tempel Farms
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