10/07/2023
Conversano Atessa and Hannah Whiting
The Tempel Lipizzans
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Tempel Lipizzans is a classical dressage training center that seeks to educate on the history and dis
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The Tempel Lipizzans began in 1958 when the late Tempel and Esther Smith imported 20 Lipizzans from the Austrian stud farm in Piber and started what became the largest privately owned herd of Lipizzans in the world. The Tempel Lipizzans originally performed at private functions and charitable events. Their prestigious appearances include several Presidential Inaugurals and special exhibitions at t
he White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Taste of Chicago, Ravinia Festival, Arlington Racecourse and Madison Square Garden. In 1982, the late Tempel Smith’s daughters arranged for the first public performances at Tempel Farms as a tribute to their parents’ dream of establishing an American center of classical horsemanship that followed in the tradition of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. In 1997, the President of Austria presented the Smith family with the Officer’s cross, Grand Declaration of Honour for Service to the Republic of Austria, in recognition of their “careful management of a cultural institution with such close ties to Austria.” Tempel Farms is the only place in the United States where these rare white horses are bred, trained and perform on the same property. Tempel Farms is also host to world-renowned clinicians such as Conrad Schumacher and Olympians Michelle Gibson and Bruce Davidson. The farm also hosts an annual dressage competition, Dressage at Tempel Farms. For many years, Tempel Farms served as host to the North American Young Rider Championship and the USDF Young Rider Clinic series. All these programs are run to promote the art of classical dressage as well as the beauty and grace of the Lipizzan breed. Tempel Farm Heritage
Lipizzan horses have been protected by empires and sought by royalty. They’ve performed before presidents and been ridden by a president and a king. The steeds of legends, they are Pegasus without wings, yet still able to fly. These magnificent horses are known for their proud bearing, elegant gait, superior intelligence and enduring strength. The Lipizzan breed represents more than 400 years of select breeding and is considered Europe’s oldest breed of domesticated horses. Developed during the late Renaissance, these horses represent the culmination of beauty, strength and intelligence. During the late 16th century, the Royal Court of Imperial Austria imported Spanish stallions to improve its domestic stock. In 1580 Archduke Charles II established the stud farm in Lipizza, a small village near Trieste, which is now part of Slovenia. He bred the best of the imported Spanish horses to the native Karst stock in order to preserve the best qualities of the local horses while creating a horse best suited to the times. The Karst horses were white in color, small, slow to mature and extremely tough. Some of these qualities can be seen in the Lipizzans today. Efforts to save the Lipizzan breed
Throughout history, the Lipizzans’ existence has been threatened by numerous wars and lack of suitable food and shelter for long periods of time. In the late 1700s, the horses were moved three times during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon gained possession of the horses and bred his Arab stallion, Vesir, to the Lipizzans. Seven Arab stallions were used to develop the breed during the period from 1807 to 1856. They were: Siglavy, Tadmor, Gasian, Saydan, Samson, Hadudi and Ben Azet. From 1792 to 1815, the Kladruby horse helped to develop two of the Lipizzan lines – Maestoso and Favory. By 1880 there were 341 Lipizzan horses at the Lipizza stud farm. Of all the sires used in the 18th and 19th centuries, only six founded the original stallion lines of the Lipizzan breed: Siglavy, Neapolitano, Maestoso, Favory, Pluto and Conversano. Later, in Croatia and Hungary, the Tulipan and Incitato lines were developed. During World War I, the Lipizzans were moved again, and at the end of the war in 1919, they were divided between Italy and Austria. There were only 208 Lipizzans known to be left in existence. Italy received 109 horses for its stud farm and Austria received 98 horses for its stud farm in Piber. Once again during World War II, the Lipizzans' existence was threatened and the breeding herd was evacuated to Hostau, Czechoslovakia. However, in the closing days of the war, Hostau laid directly in the path of the rapidly approaching Russian army. In order to protect the horses from certain destruction, U.S. General George Patton, an avid horseman, lead the Second Cavalry division behind enemy lines and provided protection for the Lipizzan horses. Patton’s unprecedented action is credited with saving the breed. It was not until 1955 that the performance stallions returned to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.
10/06/2023
Herd and breeding manager Arturo Novoa with brood mares.
10/01/2023
Bird’s nest by the Tempel Farms stallion stables…
Only purebred Lipizzan hair for the birds nests on Tempel Farms.
08/25/2023
A letter from the family of Esther and Tempel Smith
https://conta.cc/3EamOXx
An update on the future of our program The End of an Era Dear Esther, It is with pride and sorrow that the family of Esther and Tempel Smith announce the closing of the Tempel Lipizzans program. For
08/21/2023
❤ Heute ist Weltpferdetag ❤
Die Beziehung zwischen Mensch und Pferd ist eine einzigartige und tief verwurzelte Verbindung, die über Jahrtausende hinweg existiert und spiegelt sich sogar in Mythen, Legenden und Geschichten wider. Diese Partnerschaft beruht auf gegenseitigem Respekt, Vertrauen und gemeinsamen Zielen und zeigt uns, wie emotional die Verbindung zueinander sein kann und wie Mensch und Tier in der Lage sind, miteinander zu kommunizieren und voneinander zu lernen. Pferde sind viel mehr als nur Tiere – Sie sind Partner, Freunde und oft auch Quellen der Inspiration. Sie lehren uns, im Hier und Jetzt zu leben, Geduld zu üben und die subtilen Nuancen der Kommunikation zu verstehen.
Foto: © Region Graz - Mias Photoart
07/29/2023
Brothers: This year we witness a proud passing of the mantle from an older brother to a younger brother in the exhibiting of the capriole. The first photo is Favory Bellanna, fondly referred to as Bingo, taking center stage at Wednesdays performance. His brother, also Favory Bellanna aka Arnold has been our first-string capriole horse for 12 years while his brother is developing. Still with enthusiasm to jump at 24 years old, we are slowly phasing him out from his job as he heads toward retirement,
07/25/2023
More horse portraits to enjoy. photos by Esther Buonanno
07/20/2023
07/12/2023
Honoring our veterinarian Dr. Randy Borri of Bristol Vet for 40+ years at Tempel Lipizzans!
07/06/2023
Lipizzan mares, half sisters Glinda and Domini with an at liberty pas de deux. thank you John Borys Photography
Pluto Andorella X Gradita (piber)
Pluto Andorella X Djebrin (piber)
07/04/2023
EDIT: this show is now SOLD OUT
This Sunday’s segments...
Parade for Patriots
National Anthem with singer/songwriter Lauren Hall
Lipizzan Tradition: Mares and Foals
Carriage Driving: Remembering Operation Cowboy
Pas De Deux: Dance of Two
Airs Above the Ground/Work in Hand
The Solo: All Steps and Movements of the Classical School
God Bless America with singer/songwriter Lauren Hall
The Quadrille: Ballet of the White Stallions
07/03/2023
Progeny of Favory Naussica…these youngsters have been in the pasture 24/7 since they were 6 months old. The 3 year year olds will come in for training in the next 6 months. photos by John Borys Photography
06/21/2023
The weather looks perfect...
06/20/2023
Retired Lipizzan stallion Neapolitano Anita keeping watch over the farm for us.
06/17/2023
¡hispanohablantes! una entrevista en español con el entrenador Raul Roa Vadillo sobre nuestro 65 aniversario
06/16/2023
See our summer season news!
https://conta.cc/3p5PsFh
Find out what we've got planned this summer Dancing Through the Decades Dear Esther, Welcome to our 65th year! Be sure to make plans to come out this season as we pay tribute to our anniversary ye
06/15/2023
Lipizzan stallion Favory IX Ivana says, it's not too late to come to celebrate me and all the other dads on Sunday for the kickoff of our 65th Anniversary Season.
06/15/2023
Bellatrix, 2023 lipizzan filly
06/13/2023
Horsemanship in the Heartland: Bay Lipizzan stallion Maestoso Batrina demonstrates the courbette. This high school movement (airs above the ground) requires a well-trained, highly athletic horse who is excited to do his job.
Trainers Bill Clements and Nadalyn Firenz
Photo by John Borys
06/13/2023
https://wgntv.com/backstory/meet-the-newest-tempel-lipizzan-horse-baby-agatha/amp/
The Lipizzan horse has been around since the 1560’s and is the oldest European breed of horse. Tempel Farms has almost 60 years of operation and has been doing public performances since 1982,…
05/09/2023
Be Mom’s favorite this Mother’s Day with the gift of quality family time at Tempel Lipizzans.
Use promo code “Mom” to get 15 % discount for the Tempel Lipizzans Performances in June 2023.
Now through May 13!
05/09/2023
Here's a Mother's Day shout out to the mares...the most valuable part to our breeding and training program here, lipizzan mares provide half the genetics but all the careful nurturing and socializing before and after birth. Enjoy!
04/24/2023
Fun portraits of our beloved horses. Enjoy!
04/23/2023
Lipizzan mare and foal and Andromeda enjoying the spring weather.
04/21/2023
Darling Domini at naptime. 2018 Lipizzan mare out of Djebrin by Pluto Andorella.
04/20/2023
Classical dressage training is based off the natural movements and abilities of the individual horse. Featured here is lipizzan stallion Favory Adelena. Photo by John Borys Photography.
04/19/2023
Please welcome 3 day old Lipizzan filly Andromeda by Pluto VII Andorella out of Ada. What a leggy gal!
04/07/2023
04/05/2023
Big rains here in Illinois. Good thing Lipizzans love puddle baths.
04/04/2023
We have one remaining riding spot available for Conrad Schumacher next week Thursday-Saturday, April 13-15. Please contact Martina if you would like to join us! 847-244-5330 or [email protected].
Mr. Schumacher has not been in the country since the start of the pandemic. We are thrilled to have him back!!
04/04/2023
Spring newsletter, click here: https://conta.cc/40HRHMp
Check it out History, Art, Music In Motion Buy Tickets Dear Esther, There is much to catch you up on! First off, we welcomed our first foal of 2023 - the beautiful Bellatrix. Since her first day,
03/30/2023
Last week we welcomed our first 2023 foal - meet the beautiful Bellatrix, filly by Conversano Garcia out of Buona Fortuna (N VI Anita x Batrina)
02/14/2023
You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours…Happy Valentine’s Day from Tempel farms!
02/10/2023
The snow hasn't stayed around long around here, but this photo is a great reminder of the joy of freshly fallen snow, horses and a crazy idea for an impromptu photoshoot with an adventurous staff. Photo by John Borys.
02/07/2023
As a VALENTINES SPECIAL this gift certificate comes with our beautiful TEMPEL LIPIZZANS 2023 DESK CALENDAR with photos by John Borys!
01/06/2023
Looking for a working student with a passion for horses and horsemanship. Team player with great work ethic required! Best if local as housing is not currently available. Application information in this link.
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Working Student or Rider Job Description: Tempel Lipizzans is seeking an aspiring rider to join our team in the role of Working Student or Rider in our year-round training program. This student will...
12/21/2022
May the joy and peace of the holiday season be with you always.
Tempel Lipizzans' mare Ada with filly Agatha, photo by John Borys Photography
11/20/2022
We are excited to announce that Tempel Farms is now accepting outside horses into our full training program with our team of qualified trainers. Specifically the competitive dressage riders on staff at Tempel Lipizzans are scouting for talented horses of all ages and levels. Please contact us today to see if your horse can flourish in our stables.
11/02/2022
Lipizzan mare Batrina and 2016 foal Maestoso Batrina
Address
17000 Wadsworth Road
Old Mill Creek, IL
60083
Opening Hours
| Monday | 8am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 5pm |
| Friday | 8am - 5pm |
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Videos
We dip some of them in chocolate #lipizzaner (“you should be embarrassed” says handler Hannah Whiting as she brings him in for a bath. )
Lipizzan works while dogs play…
Life with Lipizzans: Maestoso Belladiva, Lipizzan gelding, with owner Kristina Brown, demonstrating their half pass while canine family members share their arena for battle.
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