We are very fortunate to have the Tempel Lipizzans scheduled to perform in the 2012 Mackinac Island Festival of the Horse. Learn more about them and the program they will be presenting from the information below.
About the Lipizzans
Th Lipizzans have been protected by empires and sought by royalty. They've performed before presidents and been ridden by a king. These magnificent stallions are known for their proud bearing, elegant gait, superior intelligence and enduring strength. Prancing, dancing, and executing refined grace, the Tempel Lipizzans perform in a centuries-old tradition. Come witness artistry, athleticism and coordination between horse and rider.
All photos copyrighted to Tempel Lipizzans. May not be used without written permission.
A Storied History
For more than 400 years this magnificent breed has been the symbol of majestic elegance. The Lipizzan originated during the late 16th century when the Royal Court of Imperial Austria imported Spanish stallions to improve their domestic stock. Developed during an era when knowledge and beauty were cultivated to the highest levels, Lipizzans were then and are now the ultimate embodiment of classical breeding. In the 16th and 17th centuries, many riding masters created academies where they taught sophisticated training methods, which elevated plain riding to an art form. This art of riding has survived for more than four centuries at the Spanish Riding School of Vienna and at Tempel Farms. The 1963 Disney classic, "The Miracle of the White Stallions," chronicles the daring rescue of the Lipizzans led by General George Patton during World War II.
The Tempel Lipizzans began in 1958 when the late Tempel and Esther Smith imported 20 Lipizzans from the Austrian state stud farm in Piber and started what has become the largest privately owned herd of Lipizzans in the world.
Lipizzans are born black or brown and lighten with age. They reach their characteristic white color when they are between 7 and 10 years old. It is not unusual for a Lipizzan to continue performing well into its 20s. Training of the young horses begins at 4 years old, with work on the longe line without a rider. This enables the trainer to observe and evaluate the future potential of the horse's natural movements, to teach balance at all the gaits and to begin the human-horse relationship that will extend throughout many years. This training and development continues until the horse is ready to perform all that is required in the art of classical dressage. Only the best horses reach this high level and even fewer possess the talent for the Airs Above the Ground.
Today the Tempel Lipizzans training center at Tempel Farms in Northern Illinois is a premier equestrian facility seeking to educate about and to promote classical horsemanship and the Lipizzan breed via clinics, exhibitions and working student programs. Tempel Farms is home to the world's largest privately owned Lipizzan herd and Tempel Lipizzans will continue a focused breeding program for years to come. Tempel Lipizzans has selected talented mares, stallions and geldings for sale. www.tempelfarms.com
Program
Below is a description of the three segments the Tempel Lipizzans will perform at the Mackinac Island Festival of the Horse.
The Solo: All Steps and Movements of the Classical School
This horse is trained according to the classical principals of Dressage. These movements have been in recent years taken and used in the Olympic Games.
All Lateral Movements in trot and canter
The Flying Change of Lead
The Piaffe, a highly collected, elevated, cadenced trot in place
The Pirouette, slow motion turning in place at the canter
The Passage, a trot in which the horse's legs are in suspended motion before touching the ground.
The Airs Above the Ground/Work in Hand
Work in hand is a major element of training at Tempel Farms. The rider leads the horse by a short rein while calling for specific movements. The stallion is first required to step forward at a half trot or a trot in place in which there is a greater elevation in his steps. This careful development of the horse's hind quarters gives him the strength for the "Airs Above the Ground." All of the Airs movements begin with the Piaffe. It is during this work in Hand Training period that the trainer is able to determine for which "Airs" movement a particular horse might be best suited.
During the Airs Above the Ground, you will see gifted stallions perform maneuvers which were originally developed into medieval battle techiniques and then refined to their present art form during the late Renaissance. These maneuvers have developed into the following classical forms
The Levade, a demonstration of a horse well-balenced on his haunches maintaining an angle with the ground of less than 45 degrees.
The Courbette, several forward jumps by the horse on his hind legs without touching the ground with his front feet
The Capriole, a difficult leap by the horse with all four legs from the ground. At the height of his leap, he kicks out violently with his hind legs.
Quadrille: The Ballet of the White Stallions
The Quadrille is often considered the height of classical dressage. It requires great concentration from both horse and rider in order to perform the coordinated program of classical steps with precision and ease. At Tempel Farms, the training of these horses represents many collective years of dressage skill by our rider/trainers and years of experience by the four Lipizzans you will see. This excellence of performances has been observed by four American presidents at their inaugurations in addition to many thousands of people at other major equestrian events.
About the 
