by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 6, 2023
Carl Hester, the architect of British dressage success, is heading the individual rankings as the European Dressage Championships got under way in Riesenbeck, Germany, on Wednesday. Riding Fame,a 13-year-old Dutchbred (Bordeaux X Rhodium), the veteran of 22 championship competitions put his nation in the lead with a personal best score of 78.540 percent.
“I absolutely love this horse. I look forward to riding him every day,” said Carl, who noted that despite the “boiling” hot weather, “he delivered today. When a horse goes like that for you in these weather conditions…If I never did a test again, it’s a lovely one to finish on.”
Carl Hester waves to the crowd in Riesenbeck as he leaves the ring with Fame after a super test.
For the moment, his teammate, Gareth Hughes, has the drop score with Classic Briolinca (74.565), the 17-year-old mare with whom he has been working since she was three.
It’s likely Gareth will remain as the drop score, since British stalwarts Charlotte Dujardin (Imhotep) and World Champion Lottie Fry (Glamourdale) ride tomorrow. But at this point, Gareth is fourth overall, back of Germany’s Mathias Alexander Rath (Thiago GS, 74.845)
Germany for now is the second-place team on 77.174, Isabell Werth’s mark with DSP Quantaz, which makes Mathias the current drop score.
Despite standing second behind Carl, Isabell, who has seven Olympic gold medals, likely won’t be the top score for the German team. Not only does Frederic Wandres (Bluetooth Old) ride Thursday for the home side, but also world number one Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB.
The world is waiting for the showdown between Dalera and Glamourdale. Jessica missed the world championshps last year because she was pregnant, while Glamourdale did not appear at this spring’s FEI World Cup finals because it was breeding season.
Click here for individual scores.
Click here for team standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 6, 2023
Mexican sculptor Jose Amador Lobato Juarez will be holding an exhibition of his art Sept. 30 at Meg Sleeper’s Godwink Farm in Frenchtown.
A work by Mexican sculptor Jose Amador Lobato Juarez.
Amador is a Mexican artist who uses baling wire, driftwood and horse shoes to make his creations. He will create commissioned and non-commisioned art that will be displayed during the exhibition.
The non-commissioned pieces will be available for sale at the event, set for 1-5 p.m.) and those attending also will be able to commission him to create something specific.
The occasion is also the official opening of Meg’s new farm at 258 Spring Hill Road; Frenchtown, NJ 08825 . She is a veterinarian and endurance rider who has represented the U.S. in world championships.
There is no admission charge, but she would like people to RSVP so she can plan for light snacks and beverages.Her email is margaretmsleeper@ufl.edu.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 4, 2023
There was a pause in the action at the Hampton Classic Labor Day weekend when McLain Ward retired HH Azur, his “queen,” as he always called this spectacular mare.
Horse and rider became a presence on the circuit after Francois Mathy sold half interest in her to Hunter Harrison and Double H Farm in 2015. They started winning right away, with the $400,000 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Spruce Meadows a special triumph for the 9-year-old.
Her many achievements include contributing to the U.S. silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, working with her rider to fulfill a longtime dream as he took the title at the FEI World Cup Final in 2017, and then months later, helping the U.S. win silver at the FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona. All of that made her the 2017 USEF Horse of the Year.
McLain Ward leads HH Azur out of an arena for the last time. (Photo Randolph PR)
In 2022, Annie, as she is known, earned 4-star wins at the Winter Equestrian Festival and Old Salem before a 5-star win at Spruce Meadows. Most recently she and McLain claimed two 5-star legs of the Rolex Grand Slam, the Grand Prix of Geneva in December and ’s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands in March
Over the years, Annie won 25 FEI Grands Prix at the world’s most prestigious shows. She deserves the wonderful retirement that McLain will provide for her.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 3, 2023
The show jumping phase of the Defender Burghley 5-star was the decider big-time for the British event, with a reshuffling that left Great Britain’s Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class as the winners, after leader Tim Price had three rails down with Vitali to sink to fourth place with 38.7 penalties on Sunday.
Oliver Townend riding Ballaghmor Class for GBR during the show jumping Defender Burghley Horse Trials, in the parkland of Burghley House near Stamford in Lincolnshire in the UK on the 30th August to 3 September 2023.
Oliver wasn’t perfect himself, dropping one rail on the Paul Connor-designed course aboard his Irishbred campaigner, which gave Tim a bit of breathing space he hadn’t had with his Holsteiner going into the final segment.
But as the last to go, he needed more than that to be on the podium when Vitali–after a record-setting dressage performance and 8 time penalties cross-country–struggled with falling poles to topple his chances for the coveted trophy and the first prize payout of 110,000 British pounds. Tim is a previous Burghley winner, having taken the crown in 2018 with Ringwood Sky Boy.
Oliver, who also won Burghley in 2017 with Ballaghmor Class, is a three-time winner of the Land Rover Kentucky 5-star, collecting the title in 2018 and 2019 with Cooley Master Class, and 2021 with Ballaghmor Class. He has quie the resume, on which you can add in his 2009, Burghley victory with Carousel Quest.
Another Brit, David Doel, was just 0.7 penalties behind Oliver’s 33 penalty score to take second on the Dutchbred stallion Galileo Nieuwmoed with a perfect show jumping effort. British mainstay Harry Meade was third with another clear show jumping round on the Irish mare Cavalier Crystal (37.4).
The USA’s best, Boyd Martin, finished ninth and tenth on his Olympic partner Tsetserleg, who had three rails, and with On Cue, who had two. Tseterleg moved down from seventh after cross-country and On Cue moved up from 12th.
Boyd called Tsetserleg “an absolute hero this weekend.”
After mishaps in two other 5-stars this year, he said, “it was a big relief to have a great cross-country round.”
In contrast, show jumping was “a disaster. I jumped fence one and made a turn to fence two, and then we were cross-cantering and then we fell to trot and then we were on a completely impossible distance and plowed fence two.”
He praised On Cue as “absolutely fantastic this weekend.”
Boyd noted she had not done a big 5 star since Maryland in 2021, which she won.
At Burghley, “She was pretty tired and had to dig deep for me on the cross-country day,” observed Boyd, who was happy for a top-10 finish.
In show jumping, “We had two poles down, she sort of gets in there and gets starstruck.”
All the same, he noted, “This horse has been such a fantastic partner.”
Jennie Brannigan Saville of the USA did a very credible job in her first Burghley to wind up 12th with FE Lifestyle after a rail and 0.8 time penalties in the final phase. Three rails moved the only other U.S. rider to finish, Will Faudree, down from 10th to 16th.His compatriot Grace Taylor, 16th after cross-country with Game Changer, did not present her horse on the final day. U.S. rider Tiana Coudray had been eliminated on cross-country with Cancaras Girl.
The demanding Derek DiGrazia cross-country course also was unlucky for Great Britain’s Ros Canter–who won the European championship just three weeks ago in France. She hit the ground when Penco’s Crown Jewel left a leg at a triple bar arrowhead in the 20ABC combination.
Luckily both horse and rider were okay, but that’s just another example of how fast things can change for even the most experienced riders.
Click here for final results from Burghley.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 2, 2023
A demanding Derek DiGrazia cross-country course at Burghley couldn’t derail overnight leader Tim Price of New Zealand on Vitali, but Great Britain’s Ros Canter–who won the European championship just three weeks ago in France, hit the ground when Penco’s Crown Jewel left a leg at a triple bar arrowhead in the 20ABC combination.
Luckily both horse and rider were okay, but that’s just another example of how fast things can change for even the most experienced riders.
Tim had a record-setting dressage performance on his Holsteiner with a mark of 18.7, but 8 time penalties cross-country brought his total so far to 26.7.
British riders are lined up close behind him, with Oliver Townend’s faster trip (4.8 time penalties) on the Irish veteran Ballaghmor Class leaving him less than a rail back of Tim on 29 penalties. Oliver had an unlucky break, literally, earlier in the day when a rein snapped while he was at the 17th obstacle with Tregilder and had to retire. He also retired his other mount, Swallow Springs. A total of 13 horses retired, and eight were eliminated from the field of 58 starters.
Tim has little bit of breathing room from third-place Brit David Doel. His score on the Dutchbred stallion Galileo Nieuwmoed is 33.7, so that’s nearly two rails, but not quite. Wills Oakden and the Irish-bred Oughterard Cooley are at 34.9. The top five is completed by Ireland’s Sam Watson, 35.8 with the Irish gelding SAP Talisman.
David and Wills had no time penalties, while Sam accumulated just. 0.4.
The USA’s Boyd Martin is seventh on his Olympic partner, the Trakehner Tsetserleg, with 37.7 penalties, only 0.3 behind Britain’s Harry Meade and the Irish mare, Crystal Cavalier.
Boyd is also 12th with On Cue (42.6). Other U.S. riders and their rankings are Will Faudree, 11th with Mama’s Magic Way (42.2), Grace Taylor on Game Changer, 16th, 46.5, and Jennie Saville, FE Lifestyle, 17th, 46.7. Tiana Coudray was eliminated with Cancaras Girl.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2023
Sweden, already the Olympic gold medalist and world championship show jumping team, completed its hat trick Friday in Milan with a team victory in the European Championships, but the individual title went elsewhere two days later.
The second-place Irish team accumulated nearly two times the penalties of the Swedish squad over Uliano Vezzani’s courses, with 18 faults to 9.51 for the winners. Austria took third place (22.7), the first time that country has made the podium at an international show jumping championship. The bronze also qualified Austria to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Germans, who had led going into the final day of team competition, were handicapped by having a three-man team after Aachen winner Stargold nearly flipped in the barn. Rider Marcus Ehning felt the stallion wasn’t right and withdrew. Without a drop score, the Germans finished fourth on 25.31.
Discussing his team’s victory, “I am lost for words,” said Swedish Chef d’Equipe Henrik Ankarcrona..
Keeping things in perspective, he noted, “The big goal is Paris,” explaining he tested different horse/rider combinations at these championships.
“I really tried to bring up new horses.
Going into the Sunday individual finals, the lead belonged to Jens Fredricson of Sweden (Markan Cosmopolit) with 0 penalties. Right behind him was Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat (Dynamix de Belheme) on 0.43, with third being held by Ireland’s Michael Duffy (Cinca 3), 2.18 penalties, who would not appear on the final day to give his mare a break. Oliver Perreau of France appeared to be in real contention on GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly (2.79) followed by Great Britain’s Olympic champion Ben Maher in fifth with Faltic HB (3.13).
But the final two-round test broke Jens’ lucky streak, as he had a rail in each segment to sink to fifth when his perfect record until then was marred by 8 penalties. Steve was fault-free across the board to take another gold medal, added to his 2012 Olympic title. Germany’s Philllip Weishaupt on Zineday had one rail Friday but was perfect on Sunday to earn silver, while France’s Julien Epaillard on Dubai du Cedre claimed bronze.
FEI Jumping European Championship, Milano (ITA) 2023. Individual Final. Steve Guerdat with Dynamix de Belheme (SUI). Taken on 3 September 2023 by Liz Gregg. Copyright FEI / Liz Gregg
“I brought the horse of a lifetime,” Steve said of Dynamix, a 10-year-old Selle Francais mare he has been producing for the last five years. “Today she was amazing, and it feels incredible to be here as a European champion.”
Since he was concerned that Dynamix was still a little green for such a major test, Steve said: “I tried to give her a little bit of my experience. Luckily, it worked out, and I’m delighted.”
He explained, “My main goal is to make my horse ready for the Olympics (the 2024 Paris Games).“I’ll be focusing on that.”
With Steve’s team score, Switzerland qualified for Paris by being sixth at the end of the Championships’ team competition.
Ben Maher moved up to fourth in the final reckoning. But an expensive rail in the triple combination during Sunday’s first round precluded a better finish. He he been able to go fault-free Sunday, he would have taken silver.
For Ben and Faltic, it would be a repeat of their fortunes at the World Championships in Herning, Denmark, last year: one step off the podium in fourth place.
“I’m disappointed,” said Ben
“It was an expensive fence down in the first round today. Maybe if I went back I’d do something different, but it felt good – just an unfortunate fault and that’s the way it goes.
“Faltic jumped incredibly all week. I don’t like to blame other things, but the fence down on the first day was definitely not helped by the ground situation here. He’s jumped incredibly since then, so, like I said, it’s a little disappointing. The team competition (where Britain was ninth) was a bit of a long haul this week, then I was out on my own today.
“I knew I probably had to be double clear to get a medal. But he’s fit, he jumped incredibly all week and it didn’t feel like it took a lot of out him compared to other championships, so I’m very happy to have him go home safe.
Click here for team scores. Click here for individual standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2023
Artist and horsewoman Tiffany Teeter died when her car and a truck pulling a trailer collided Aug. 29 in Southern Pines, N.C. She was 82.
Her many friends are swapping Tiffany stories as they remember an unforgettable character with a golden heart. She was always a live wire, telling tales of Studio 54 from her younger days, and had connections with many famous horses. They included the great Idle Dice, once ridden by her ex-husband, Bernie Traurig, and Sloopy, guided by Neal Shapiro to team silver and individual bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Tiffany Teeter with her beloved Lucas terrier, Snippet. (Photo by Anne Claire Christiaen)
A breeder of rare Lucas terriers, she once sold a dog to the great opera singer Pavarotti, according to Allie Conrad, who spent a lot of time with Tiffany. Allie noted Tiffany was always volunteering at the Carolina Horse Park, whether for hunters, eventing or whatever was happening.
“If you had a modicum of respect for her, she would do anything in the world for you,” said Allie, noting she was good at matching up people with horses.
“She loved making deals, and horse-selling was the best kind of deal around.
“She had so much knowledge. Sitting and watching her ringside was an education. If you could soak it in, it was amazing,” said Allie, who mentioned one of the things Tiffany sold at a tack sale she organized was Sloopy’s old halter.
Tiffany was a big thoroughbred racing fan who knew all the bloodlines and had racing on TV at her house “almost 24-7,” according to Allie. Tiffany produced a “painted pony” model of Secretariat for the Carolina Horse Park Foundation benefit art walk and auction. She got help doing the horse’s legs because she wasn’t able to bend down, but she painted from the stomach up, as she said.
In a note on Allie’s facebook page, Janet Sizelove said, “Tiffany could find a solution for any problem. She loved animals, people and her community. Adventure and living life to the fullest were her daily goals.”
A former resident of Stockton, N.J., where she lived at Plum Broke Farm, Tiffany was a founding member of Kingwood Foxhounds/Amwell Valley Hounds and became an honorary Master of Foxhounds.
Amwell President Joanne Possumato remembered that Tiffany’s many pastimes included car racing, and she noted her friend sold a Lotus to buy fencing for her farm.
Joanne called Tiffany “a tremendous force for decades, always promoting AVH, providing horses and her gorgeous farm for clinics, concerts, hunter trials and fabulous parties. She was a fundraising dynamo for our club, an artist and introduced many a fox hunter to hunting in Ireland and into her famous hilltopping field in her later years. No words can adequately describe Tiffany, but all who knew her know there will never be another.”
Discussion already is under way about planning a celebration of Tiffany’s life, something that might include wine, art and perhaps the type of outlandish sweaters she used to wear.
Survivors include a sister, VK Foster; her son Michael Traurig, a horse trainer and former steeplechase jockey, as well as a daughter, Bridget Bodine, and another son, Mitch Bodine. Tiffany’s husband, Jim Rigney, who was injured in the crash, remains hospitalized.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 30, 2023
It’s been five years since show jumper Kevin Babington suffered a catastrophic fall in a grand prix, but his friends haven’t forgotten the paralyzed Olympian.
On October 1, they will hold what has become an annual benefit horse show, a fixture that debuted a few weeks after his 2019 accident. Not only did Kevin’s life change the instant he hit the ground, but it also upended the lives of his wife, Dianna, and the couple’s teenage daughters, Gwyneth and Marielle.
“Kevin was the primary breadwinner,” explained Dianna, who immediately had to step up with her girls to fill the gap in their business, care for her husband and learn about a host of medical issues and how to handle them.
Dianna Babington at the 2020 benefit show at Duncraven. (Photo © 2020 by Nancy Jaffer)
In a different existence that suddenly was filled with doctors, hospitals and an immobilized husband, the mission is always the same.
“It’s been a nightmare. We’re trying to survive,” she said.
“I feel like this accident derailed everybody. It’s been tough. It’s very hard for us to make ends meet,” she observed, noting insurance does not cover everything needed, so the benefit show “kind of closed the gap for us.”
Kevin suffered a contusion to the spinal cord as a result of hyperextending his neck in the fall. The vertebrae hit the spinal cord, causing damage; it was a stretch and concussion injury from vertebra C3 to C5, which involves the diaphragm and mobility.
Friends recognized the immediate need for funds after Kevin’s accident, and went about setting up the show on short notice.
“It was sort of an emergency, we needed to do something for Kevin, he had just gotten hurt. Then we said, `We might have to do it again next year,’ and here we are. This is year five,” said Nancy Wallis, who course designs and co-manages the benefit with Jennifer Cassidy.
It is held at Duncraven in Titusville, N.J., a stable where Kevin once ran his business. When the Stout family took over Duncraven and refurbished it last year, they offered the venue free of charge for the show, as previous owner Tim Fedor had done.
Kevin is special, which explains why he hasn’t been forgotten, even though he’s no longer competing.
“You know people in your lifetime and you think they’re great and it goes on,” said Nancy.
“But once this happened to Kevin, we found out how many people he had touched.”
She described his kindness, noting, “He would always help, walk the course with you, or say, `Watch this turn from fence 6 to 7, it’s a little tight.’ He was so generous with his information and knowledge. He wasn’t trying to make anything off it, it was just genuine help.”
And now people are returning the favor.
Everything for the benefit is donated; the labor of the organizers, officials and volunteers, as well as raffle items, so the show has no costs that would cut down on the money raised.
“The only check we write is to the medic,” noted Nancy.
Kevin has never lost hope that some new development will give him a better quality of life and he keeps working at physical therapy. He’s game to participate in clinical trials and appreciates it when friends let him know about possible new treatments. Olympic gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa, for instance, recently called one new study in Lucerne, Switzerland, to his attention.
“There’s a lot in the works. I put my name in for all those things, to see if I can get into one of the studies,” said Kevin.
“I definitely have some hope.”
But following what Marielle, now 17, and Gwyneth, 20, achieve in the sport, “that’s the thing that keeps me going.”
Kevin watches the riders in his ring in Loxahatchee, Fla., from his wheelchair on the back porch of his home. Understandably, he’s proud of the efforts of his wife and daughters, calling the girls “really good teachers” in what has become “a family business.”
He does a lot of mentoring, and Dianna noted he “still has a great eye. There’s a place for him in the industry.”
When Kevin is needed for consultations, he goes down to the barn to lend expertise, and is active on Facetime for those seeking his opinion. In the past, the native of Ireland has helped with selection of the Irish team for the Olympics. Kevin, who tied for fourth in the 2004 Olympics, continues to watch the Nations Cups via the internet to stay current.
Kevin jumping at Hickstead.
When the horse shows are going on in Wellington, a few minutes from Loxahatchee, he can often be found at ringside, helping his girls and offering advice to anyone who needs it, along with a friendly chat.
As Nancy noted, “he never mentions himself. It’s always, `What are you doing, what horse shows have you been to, where are you going next?’ He’s a forward thinker, for sure.”
Paralyzed from mid-chest down, he has had some subtle improvements in terms of what he can feel here and there on his body, but none are “life-changing improvements,” as his wife put it.
While his right arm has gotten stronger and he can bring it up almost up to his nose, his fingers are not strong enough to hold a fork, which would enable him to feed himself.
Kevin at the 2004 Olympics, where he tied for fourth. (Photo © 2004 by Nancy Jaffer)
Still, she said, “there have been some blessings.”
He can laugh, even in the midst of chronic pain; he can clear his throat a little bit and his voice is stronger than it used to be.
“I never hear him complain,” Diana mentioned, “He hasn’t given up.”
The couple knows that medical science is always making strides.
“I’m hopeful something will break at some point. I hope it’s during his lifetime,” Dianna said.
Meanwhile, Kevin is grateful for the benefit show, and those who are putting it on.
“For the local people to come out and still support is just incredible, and even for the new owners of Duncraven to step up and offer their place is just wonderful. I miss that area.”
“The horse community is amazing,” he added.
Dianna mentioned $30,000 was raised by last year’s show. That’s a remarkable amount, considering the show was practically rained out and only ran some classes in the indoor ring as the monsoon came down outside it. Extending a raffle through the next weekend helped bring in more contributions.
Kevin has always had enthusiastic fans.
This year, fundraising strategies include bareback “Ride a buck” classes.
“Kevin was a big bareback rider,” Nancy pointed out.
Kids who participate will put $5 under their knee. The last one to keep the bill in place will be the winner and enjoy a 50/50 split, with Kevin’s trust keeping half the money and the winner keeping half (unless they want to donate it). The adults will ride with $10 bills under their knees.
The third jumper class of each division is a 50/50 stakes class. Entry fees go in the pot, with half to the winner.
Volunteers are needed who can help set up for the show, as well as working the day it runs. They should contact Nancy at (908) 256-3386. Donation of raffle items also is being sought. Julie Koveloski is in charge of that at (609) 439-8983 or email jroslowski@yahoo.com. Items raffled in the past have included gift cards, mini-jumps (for kids), air vests and photo sessions, but there are always gift baskets and a variety of offerings.
People who can’t make it to the show but want to donate may give to the Kevin Babington Trust, which goes directly to him for a variety of crushing expenses that never stop cropping up. Checks may be sent to Kevin at 13254 Casey Road, Loxahatchee, Fla. 33470.
Those looking for a tax deduction with their contribution can donate to the Kevin Babington Foundation, a 501(c)3 which provides support not only to Kevin, but also to other show jumpers who have suffered spinal injuries. It helps pay for aides, which enables Dianna and the girls to keep working. Its mission for those seeking help also includes outfitting vehicles for transportation and remodeling to make homes suitable for the disabled, but does not contribute toward daily expenses.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 30, 2023
Ellen DiBella, known for her contributions to western dressage and love of the Morgan horse, passed away Aug. 20 at the age of 79.
Her desire to build an equestrian community combining the Western traditions of horse and rider with classical dressage led to her becoming the founding president of the Western Dressage Association of America, which became a USEF Recognized Affiliate Association in February 2012. Mrs. DiBella served on the USEF board from 2005 to 2015, receiving the federation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
The Parker, Colo., resident graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in sociology and a sub-specialty in medical social work. She worked with her husband of 58 years, Dr. Nicholas Di Bella, to build a successful medical oncology practice.
Ellen DiBella with USEF President Murray Kessler during the 2019 Pegasus Awards. (Photo © 2019 by Nancy Jaffer)
Mrs. DiBella was known worldwide for her love of Morgan horses over more than a half-century, originating with the purchase of her first Morgan in 1972. She was drawn to Morgans after seeing them used in the rehab program at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colo., following the Vietnam War. This encounter sparked her passion for horses and led to lifelong dedication as an owner and competitor, initially in Western Pleasure.
Her desire to build an equestrian community combining the Western traditions of horse and rider with classical dressage led to her becoming the founding president of the Western Dressage Association of America, which became a USEF Recognized Affiliate Association in February 2012.
According to Western Dressage Association of America President Cindy Butler, “Ellen devoted her life to service for equestrian sports and honoring horses. She inspired so many people, including me. Ellen DiBella had a way of making everyone she touched believe in themselves more and we are all better advocates for horse welfare and better people for having had her in our lives.”
American Morgan Horse Association President Carrie Mortensen recalled, “She was deeply involved with so many different organizations and gave of her time unselfishly for decades. Her contributions were countless. We will remember her not only for her ambassadorship of the Morgan horse and Western Dressage, but also for her impact on the entire equestrian community.”
Apart from her work for horses and equestrians, Mrs. DiBella helped found the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center Foundation, which provides financial assistance to cancer patients and their families in meeting living expenses while fighting cancer.
In an interview with the Western Dressage Association of America, Mrs. DiBella noted, “Horses offer us an opportunity to be much better people that we could ever be without them. Whether you ride English or Western, you have the opportunity to have a two-way trusting partnership. The tools and principles of classical dressage naturally make for better and healthier horses and make us a better human being. It really is about the journey.”
Upon her acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award, she advised, “I would say to everyone love your horses. Listen to your horses. Be partners with your horses. Share your horses with as many people as you can, because those horses will make you better and make everyone else better.”
Survivors include two daughters, Catherine (David) Lindsey and Christine Hamilton.
Donations in Mrs. DiBella’s memory may be made to the Ellen DiBella Western Dressage Scholarship at the American Morgan Horse Educational Charitable Trust. There will be a Celebration of Life held at the Western Dressage Association of America’s World Championship Show Sept. 29 during the exhibitor party.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 29, 2023
It is heartbreaking news: The family of Tempel Smith this month announced the closing of the ground-breaking Tempel Lipizzans program, which introduced so many in this country to dressage and this beautiful breed.
When Tempel and Esther Smith attended a performance of the Spanish Riding School in Vienna during the late 1950s, they were so impressed that they decided to import 20 horses, mostly pregnant mares, and start a school of riding in Illinois, modeled after the Spanish Riding School.
Tempel and Esther Smith. (Photo courtesy Tempel Lippians)
At that time, classical riding, or dressage, was virtually unheard of. But it gained popularity with the Smiths’ efforts, as Tempel started to put on performances around the country that enabled thousands of people to appreciate these special horses, whose breeding program had its foundation in the Spanish Riding School’s Piber stud farm.
Located in Old Mill Creek, Ill., Tempel Lipizzans has been a full-time dressage training facility, with experienced trainers who adhere to the standards of training established hundreds of years ago in the classical schools of Europe.
Esther Buonanno, Tempel’s program director, explained the difficult decision to close down.
“For a variety of reasons, our ownership family is moving in different directions. For 65 years and three 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.”
George Williams, now president of the U.S. Dressage Federation, is one of those who worked closely with the horses. He got his start at Tempel and spent two decades there.
“I am still a little numb after hearing the news that Tempel Lipizzans will be closing down,” he said.
“I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must have been for the descendants of the founders, Tempel and Esther Smith, to make this difficult decision. I respect their decision, as I know it was not made lightly. ”
He pointed out, “Tempel’s contribution to dressage in this country has been felt in many different ways, perhaps most notably for introducing dressage to the general public through the summer performances at the farm and at venues as varied as the Belmont (Park) Racetrack, the Ravinia Festival in Illinois, Madison Square Garden and even the White House.
The Tempel Lippizan troupe gained fame for its choreographed presentations. (Photo courtesy of Tempel Lippizans)
“The promotional activities behind all of it included appearances on Good Morning America and news stories on other mainstream media outlets. In addition, Tempel hosted numerous educational dressage events, including the AHSA/USEF Judges Forums for 10 years and clinics with major names, such as Willi Schultheis, Reiner Klimke and Conrad Schumacher,” George continued.
“Several major trainers worked for them as well, making the farm a center for dressage in the Midwest. For a number of years, they put on Regional Championships and for over a decade, the North American Young Riders Championships.”
Esther explained that over the next one or two years, Tempel “will carefully place each horse and, as always, provide quality care for our horses. We will cease our public programming, including performances and tours, educational programs like lessons and rider training and boarding operations for horses outside of TLC ownership.”
On a personal note, she said “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.”
George noted that in the past, “Lipizzans have been classified as a rare breed. There is no doubt Tempel has been instrumental in the protection of the breed helping to ensure that Lipizzans will be around for future generations to enjoy.”
He appreciates the regal status of these special animals, commenting that they “truly are majestic. From my 20 years of experience with them at Tempel, they are usually full of personality and unlike many breeds, they still retain the same traits as their baroque ancestors.
“In so many ways, they are a living museum. That can create challenges, such as we are now seeing. However, I was delighted to read Esther’s statement; `The Lipizzan horse remains close to my heart and I’m certain I’ll find meaningful ways to support the breed in the future’.”
George acknowledged the role that Tempel and its horses played in his life, which included great success at the Grand Prix level, and his role as the U.S. Equestrian Federation’s dressage high performance and pathway development advisor.
“I can say that the Lipizzans and Tempel farm will always be with me,” he observed.
“They were a huge part of my life and played a major role in my career. I will always remember walking into the East Good Luck stable and seeing their noble history beautifully reflected in their faces. Lipizzans are definitely not a breed you forget.
“We have to commend the Tempel Smith family for their 65-year commitment to the Lipizzans and all they have done for the wonderful horses and dressage.”
Esther said she would provide updates on the organization’s progress and gems from its remarkable history. She asked those interested in purchasing a horse or wanting to confirm they are still in Tempel’s sales contacts to send their contact information.
Here is a link to the website: https://www.tempelfarms.com
