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
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 24, 2023
Handling both the heat of competition and the heat of broiling temperatures with a feel like triple digits, Christian Simonson took the Neue Schule/USEF Intermediate I championship on Son of a Lady during the Dressage Festival of Champions on Thursday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center.
“I don’t think I’ve ever ridden in such conditions before,” said Christian, who had two horses in the division’s freestyle finale. At 5 p.m., about 40 minutes after the class began, the temperature at the venue outside of Chicago was 95 degrees with 54 percent humidity, which meant it felt like 109 degrees.
Christian left his jacket on the sidelines because of the extreme heat at Lamplight. (Photo by Leslie Potter/USEF)
Christian wore his shadbelly while riding his first mount, Zeaball Diawind, but for his second horse, he dispensed with a coat, as did others in the class of 12.
Dealing with such high temperatures can wreak havoc on concentration.
“I was sending some texts to Adrienne that weren’t coherent,” admitted Christian, referring to his trainer, Adrienne Lyle.
But he was proud of how his horses powered through the test under less-than-optimum conditions.
Christian Simonson and Son of a Lady in the I-1 on Tuesday. (Photo by Leslie Potter/U.S. Equestrian).
“It’s a hard feeling to describe, but it’s one of the coolest feelings ever, when you feel them digging for you and trying and really pushing,” he said.
This was an observation event for the Pan American Games, to be held this autumn in Chile, so short-listed Christian recognized that everything was on the line.
As Christian enjoyed some pizza on a golf cart after the victory ceremony, he reflected, “I really wanted to do well and I knew each day I had to deliver. Where I hoped I’d be is up at the front of the pack.”
And that’s just where he ended up. The 21-year-old Californian took the title with an overall score of 73.269 percent, while reserve champion Nora Batchelder on Nova scored 72.130.
Christian won both the Prix St. Georges and the Intermediate I with Son of a Lady, but was second in the freestyle with 74.015 percent to Charlotte Jorst on Zhaplin Langholt (75.610.) Charlotte finished third overall in the championship.
The tricolor sash around Sonny’s neck was the culmination of a major effort. (Learn more about Christian by clicking on this link.)
“It’s been a year-and-a-half plan with Adrienne to get to this point, it’s taken a lot of support from Team River Grove. It felt a little bit beyond my grasp of making this team and competing against the adults. By doing it, I’ve learned so much and learned so much from Adrienne also about how to go through these events. It’s been such an amazing experience with such special horses.”
Adrienne once won the same title that Christian earned at the championship. He noted he’ll miss Adrienne at the Pan Ams, because they’re a week after she’s scheduled to deliver her baby girl.
“But that’s much more important than any competition,” he was quick to mention.
He thanked his team, including vets, farriers and grooms for “a monumental effort. I feel extremely grateful to be in this position at a young age.”
Click here for the freestyle results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 22, 2023
Should there be a limit on how many times a horse can compete at each show?
It’s a question that often comes up during the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association’s Town Hall forums, as it did again on Monday night.
“Each barn, each trainer, each owner is going to have their own standard of how much is too much for their horse, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea to at least get a loose idea of what that actually looks like,” observed the moderator, USHJA President Mary Knowlton.
It is impossible to address the issue with a definite number. As one commenter noted, three classes over cross-rails is very different from three classes at 1.45 meters.
But problems can arise when one horse is being shared by several different riders, perhaps as an effort to cut costs.
Mary asked, “Is it okay to do 12 cross-rail classes, six cross-rail classes? Where is the line between horse welfare and being big brother? What is enough? Do we write a rule for that?
As always, the concern is not only safety, but also how horse sports will be perceived, especially in the age of cellphone videos when the public (most of whom likely have no horse knowledge) can record what is happening, which then can spread like wildfire.
“Social license to operate is a real thing, a thing by which our beloved sport could be no more. It’s something we’ve got to face up to,” Mary warned.
As German magazine editor Jan Tonjes, president of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists pointed out in a recent interview in The Horse, “In general we need to communicate better that this welfare of the horse is paramount, is really more than just another sentence,”
An anonymous caller to the town hall asked, “Do people put horses first? Is their welfare number one? Answering that is step one, an important but not easy one to address.”
Lucie McKinney, a judge, pointed out, “One of the issues with horse welfare is bravery.”
Mary agreed, “Silence equals complicity.” She added how wrong it is to “just turn a blind eye to it.”
Lucie gave the example of how she spotted a horse who was competing that wouldn’t pick up the right lead, a sign of being sore. She called the steward over and noted that horse “did not get to show again in my ring.”
Another key topic is the new rule that will make it mandatory for every horse that is schooling or being longed at the showgrounds to wear a number for identification.
Steward Bev Bedard called it, “a rule that is going to be difficult for some people.”
There are many reasons why the rule is needed, but as Bev pointed out, when the question is, “Who is that person lying on the ground and the horse running free dragging a longe line,” the number will hold the answer.
Mary, however, is “fairly certain big barns will send out grooms to longe with random numbers,” and Bev suspects that is true. She’s just hoping “the rule will be respected and people will step up and do what they’re supposed to do.”
It was also suggested that if a groom is longeing a horse and doing something he shouldn’t be doing (such as having a bag on the end of the longe whip), the best thing to do, rather than speaking to the groom, may be to speak to the trainer with a request to address it.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 20, 2023
A U.S.-owned Irish hunter purchased off a video has made history at the Dublin Horse Show.
Dr. Brendan Furlong’s Bloomfield Watergate, the show’s Supreme Young Horse as a 3-year-old in 2022, was named Supreme Hunter Champion this month for what is believed to be the first time in 148 years that the same entry came back as a 4-year-old to win at the show, thus having both Dublin titles on his resume.
“It blew my mind away,” said Brendan, of the victory, then noted yet another distinction.
“The last time a 4-year-old won (Supreme) was 20 years ago.”
Watergate, bred in Ireland by Daphne Tierney and ridden by Jane Bradbury, topped the lightweight hunters before going on to be ridden by all the judges (that’s how they do it over there) and awarded the Supreme title.
“It’s the pinnacle of a show horse’s life. It doesn’t get any better,” said Brendan. The achievement by the horse nicknamed Percy was rewarded with a 10,000 Euro bonus.
The fairy tale began when a friend of Brendan’s sent him a video featuring the bay gelding, saying, “you might like this horse.”
He was right. Brendan, a native of Ireland, called his brother, who still lives in the country and asked him to contact the breeder.
“She’d never sell him,” Brendan’s brother declared. He was wrong.
Brendan called Daphne and she agreed to part with the horse on two conditions–“the price is the price” (ie, no bargaining) and that he could be entered at Dublin in her name. Brendan quickly agreed. The last time he had a horse at the Dublin show was when he was a veterinary student in Ireland and won a lightweight class with a three-year-old he bought as a foal, but that was a long time ago.
Percy is by a thoroughbred, Watermill Swatch, and is the first foal of Ballyconnery Bloomfield, a Holsteiner by Ars Vivendi. Now, about Percy’s registered name: Daphne also has Bloomfield Nixon, so knowing that makes more sense in connection with calling a horse Watergate.
Bloomfield Watergate and Jane Bradbury were spectacular winners at the Dublin Horse Show. (Photo by Siobhan English)
Percy is staying in Ireland for a few months of holiday and later this year will come to the U.S., where Brendan has a farm in Pittstown, N.J., with his wife, Dr. Wendy Leich, who may get a chance “to play with” the horse.
Percy’s future profession is uncertain at this point. Perhaps, to make the most of his ground-covering gallop, he’ll try eventing, but he may have the makings of a hunter derby mount. Of course, it will be some time before that can be determined. But whatever happens, Brendan has no intention of parting with him.
” This horse is so kind, he’s just a lovely fellow. This guy is so special to me right now, I’d probably keep him as a pet. It turned out to be the buy of a lifetime.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 17, 2023
After more than 15 hours of hearings over three evenings, Wellington, Florida’s Planning, Zoning and Adjustment board after midnight Thursday recommended that the Village Council either deny a plan to remove 96 acres from the Equestrian Preserve or table the matter until a detailed application for an expanded showgrounds on another parcel is submitted and works its way through the process.
The 5-2 decision was made “without prejudice,” which means the matter can be brought before the board again.
The showgrounds plan is in the “pre-application” process, but several Zoning board members wanted more definite information about what the property will offer before taking land from the Equestrian Preserve. The majority of the board, however, is in favor of taking land out of the Preserve if everything on a site plan for the showgrounds as displayed at the meeting is realized. The panel also made a key decision by changing the zoning from Residential to Equestrian Commercial Recreation on 114.65 acres, in the area where the showgrounds would be expanded by 90 acres.
A view of the location of the expanded showgrounds.
John Bowers, the board’s vice chair, said he would agree to remove the land from the Preserve, if in return “we are going to get an expanded, larger showgrounds and more productive space.”
The showgrounds is at the heart of the Village’s equestrian community. While it once was the ultimate venue in the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World,” competition from the World Equestrian Center in Ocala–which was just awarded a qualifier in the FEI League of Nations–and the even newer Terra Nova outside Sarasota has raised the stakes.
“Getting out of the EPA is a very material vote I would not want to take without making sure that all i’s are dotted, all t’s are crossed. I want the maximum benefit of being able to evaluate the application before I make a decision like this,” said Bowers, who spoke more than any other board member during the Wednesday night meeting that drifted into Thursday.
The board had two long meetings last month without reaching a decision.
Citing his lack of equestrian expertise, Bowers added he would want the Equestrian Preserve Committee to offer an opinion on the showgrounds application. The EPC in June unanimously rejected having the land removed from the preserve, and approximately 6,000 Wellington residents have signed a petition against it. The argument is that high-density housing will increase traffic congestion and lead to other landowners demanding zoning changes that could hurt the horse community’s quality of life.
But the Zoning panel is only an advisory body, and it is the Council, which meets next month, that makes the final decision. To remove land from the Equestrian Preserve, four of the five Council members must vote in favor of doing so.
Why did it take three separate sessions for the seven-member Zoning board to come to its conclusion? This is a very complicated situation, involving two geographically separated parcels of land whose fate is connected.
Here’s the short version, if you haven’t been following the hearings that began in June:
For a project called Wellington North, developers who spent $35 million on a golf course applied to build housing nearby on the 96 acres that is part of the Preserve and now the home of Equestrian Village, where the Adequan Global Dressage Festival is staged.
That property also hosts some show jumping classes that are part of the Winter Equestrian Festival, which has its main facility about a mile down Pierson Road.
The developers include Mark Bellisimo of Wellington Equestrian Partners, branded as Wellington Lifestyle Partners, working in conjunction with the Tavistock Group’s Nexus Luxury Collection. Bellisimo made his name in the horse world as the point man for Wellington Equestrian Partners in the 2007 purchase of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center showgrounds, now Wellington International. He is involved with several groups that own large tracts in Wellington.
“Interested parties” were allowed to appear before the Zoning board Wednesday to make their cases against the project, and several warned of litigation involving both parcels if development is allowed. However, Village Counsel Laurie Cohen told board members that shouldn’t influence their vote.
Attorney Jamie Gavigan, representing the Jacobs family that owns Deeridge Farm on Pierson Road near Equestrian Village, said his client is opposed to taking any land out of the EPA. He pointed out that in 2016, Wellington residents by a two-thirds majority, voted to amend the Village charter to say “it shall be a Village priority to preserve and protect the equestrian community.”
Gavigan asked how a driving range and pickleball courts in the proposed North development “preserve and protect an equestrian lifestyle.”
He noted 244 additional residential units the applicant seeks on the property would not be transferred from any other Planned Unit Development in Wellington, and that is not consistent with the Village charter.
Wellington’s equestrian sustainability mantra.
The developers also applied for housing on the second parcel, Wellington South, which is contiguous to the home of WEF at the Wellington International showgrounds. The board approved plans for Wellington South, provided there is an increase in the number of larger lots offered and a decrease in density.
The land to be used in expansion of the showgrounds won’t be offered for purchase to Wellington International or rather, its parent company, Global Equestrian Group, unless the North development project on the Preserve is approved.
As Jane Cleveland, chair of the Village’s Equestrian Preserve Committee put it, the land sale for the showgrounds’ addition is being held “hostage” as the developer’s ace to make sure it gets the approval needed for its project.
Gavigan asked, “How can the Village tie a condition from one owner on one property to a project of another owner on another property? You can consider the South (project) without considering the North.”
Attorney Len Feiwus, representing Equestrian Club Estates, called it a “quid pro quo,” which he said is “not appropriate.”
The Equestrian Preserve Committee in June unanimously voted against removing the 96 acres from the preserve. But the Zoning panel sees a benefit to having an expanded, contiguous showgrounds for dressage, hunters and jumpers, at 180 acres double the size of its current venue.
Michael Stone, president of Wellington International, has testified that the expanded showgrounds would be able to host far more horses than in the current space, and offer an air conditioned hospitality area that would attract more sponsors. The facility would have a stadium and nine additional rings with warm-up areas. Jumpers would show there, while hunters and dressage would share the current showgrounds that would be adjacent.
The new showgrounds would have a real stadium, seating 7,000, as its centerpiece rather than an ordinary arena like the current international ring. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Dressage already has a lease with Equestrian Village for 2024, and seems likely to remain there for 2025. There has been an agreement that no building would happen at Equestrian Village, if development is approved, until dressage has a home at the expanded showgrounds. That facility, if all goes well, could open in 2026. Equestrian Village is no longer up to the standard for a top dressage facility, and there are no plans to improve it.
If the zoning change for Equestrian Village and other preserve property isn’t granted and the 96 acres remains in the preserve, the owner is under no obligation to continue offering a venue for dressage after the lease or leases expire. With the current zoning unchanged, some houses could be built there, and other permitted uses include everything from offices to a veterinary practice, a restaurant and a riding school.
Site plan approval and some other things would be required, but most are administrative procedures that need no public input or council approval.
Kelly Ferraiolo, senior planner for the Village of Wellington, noted the owner of Equestrian Village does not have an obligation to keep a showgrounds at that property. She said people wouldn’t be allowed to ride their horses across the land just because it’s part of the Equestrian Preserve. She explained it is private property and would require permission from the owner before people could ride there.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 13, 2023
Britain defended its 2021 FEI European Eventing Championships title and then some today at Haras du Pin, as it took not only team honors again, but also collected individual gold and silver with smooth performances by Ros Canter on Lordships Graffalo and Kitty King on Vendredi Biats.
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo on their way to double gold. (Les Garennes photo)
The Brits, coached by Chris Bartles, will be looking for another triumph next year when they return to France for the Paris Olympics. Their 103.9 penalties final score at the Europeans gave them an enviable margin over runner-up Germany (131.2), which was without its top rider, as Michael Jung had a startling fall (read it here) on Saturday’s cross country when fischerChipmunk went to his knees after misjudging the landing at fence 24. (A real sportsman, Michi still showed up to stand on the podium with his teammates instead of going home in a wave of disappointment.)
The Germans were only 3 penalties ahead of the French, who took the bronze medal to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd that turned up for this afternoon’s show jumping.
The setting of the FEI European Eventing Championships, crowned by a chateau, is one of a kind. (Les Garennes photo)
The British team also included Laura Collett, ninth on London 52 (46.6) after a fault-free trip in show jumping, and world champion Yasmin Ingham on Banzai du Loir, 25th with the team’s drop score (59.8) after a rail in the final phase. Tom Jackson on Capels Hollow Drift competed as an individual for Britian and wound up 29th. Tom McEwen, also competing as an individual, was eliminated on cross-country after a fall from JL Dublin.
The show jumping course map for the FEI European Eventing Championships
Sticky ground for Saturday’s cross-country phase took its toll, as three from the original field of 56 retired, 13 were eliminated and two withdrew.
But for all that, the horses looked great in this morning’s trot-up, with everyone passing. (The very veteran Karin Donckers, who became the drop score of Belgian team, was the only absentee from the horse inspection when she left her Fletcha Van’t Verahof in the stables. That horse had competed at Haras in 2014 when it hosted the FEI World Equestrian Games.) At any rate, seventh-place Belgium, like the eighth-place Netherlands, achieved their goal here of qualifying for the Paris Olympics.
Dickie Waygood, the British team manager, breathed a sigh of relief once the medals were about to be distributed.
“We rode the dragon yesterday,” he said, referring to the difficult footing conditions.
“I think every team did. It was a tough old day in the office.”
Kitty left all the rails in place, but had 1.2 time penalties to finish on 32 penalties for her silver.
“I’m just so proud of my horse,” said Kitty, noting she “rode like an absolute idiot.”
But her horse came through for her.
“When I came out, I was so cross with myself… Now I’m beginning to realize it’s been a long time coming and he deserves it so much,” Kitty commented.
“I just didn’t give him a very easy job, I kept him guessing the whole way, I kicked when I should’ve pulled and I pulled when I should’ve kicked. But he was brilliant and he helped me out.”
The bronze went to 2014 world champion Sandra Auffarth of Germany, returning to the scene of her triumph from nine years ago. She had a perfect trip with Viamant du Matz, finishing on her cross-country total of 34.6.
An overview of the scene at the awards ceremony.
Ros, this year’s Badminton winner, came into the show jumping with two rails in hand. She only needed a margin of one over the route designed by Quentin Perney and Jean-Pierre Meneau. Aside from toppling that single pole, Walter, as she calls her horse, flowed along effortlessly.
Being in the lead, even with a comfortable margin, put pressure on Ros due to the expectations of fans and supporters.
“It almost makes it worse, because there’s longer to fall,” she explained.
A lot of people held their breath at fence 4, the triple combination, when the A element, a vertical came down as Walter tipped it. But there were no more mistakes.
“I had to keep myself in my little bubble,” said Ros, explaining how she coped coming into today.
“For me, the team always comes first. It’s what I dream of doing, it always has been.”
As usual, just before receiving her medals, she gave deserved kudos to her wise and patient mount.
“I’ve got Walter to thank for it. He’s just an unbelievable horse. He’s what dreams are made of.”
Lots of history at this site.We already mentioned the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games. But the last time the Europeans were held at Haras, Great Britain mirrored today in taking team and individual gold and individual silver. The winners were Mary Gordon-Watson, Richard Walker, Derek Allhusen, Polly Hey-Hutchinson and Reuben Jones. Remembering is always nice for perspective.
Click here for individual results. Click here for team results.
