Whenever a family takes a trip somewhere, the old saying usually rings true that “ya can’t please all the people all the time.” The kids usually want one thing, the parents want another, and chaos ensues. Well, maybe not “chaos”… But any family member knows how tough it can be to get the entire family to agree on a movie, a vacation destination, or anything else for that matter. Fortunately, Tempel Farms in Wadsworth, Illinois hosts a show that can please everybody from the oldest grandparent to the youngest infant. Featuring one of the strongest, most intelligent breeds of horse on the planet, the Tempel Lipizzans shows how extensive training methods allow these stallions to put on quite a show.
The Lipizzan horse was originally bred during the late 16th century in Austria when Spanish stallions were imported to improve upon the domestic breed. For hundreds of years now, these horses have been subject to sophisticated training methods, transforming normal horseback riding into a form of art. Tempel Farms boasts the world’s largest privately owned herd of these talented creatures, all of which endure some of the same training methods that originated long ago. Last Wednesday, I made the trip to Tempel Farms to see what all the fuss was about.
The beauty of the Tempel Lipizzans show is that it demonstrates how each horse is transformed as it goes through several different stages of training. To kick off the show, both adult and baby Lipizzans were brought into the ring. The adults were trained to trot slowly around the outside of the ring, while the youngsters playfully charged at one another in the middle and kicked their hind legs in the air. It was a clever way to start off the show, showing that the toddlers have many years of training ahead of them before they can become as disciplined as their parents.
Next came the four to five-year-old horses, who were just beginning their training. The voice on the loudspeaker noted that they might not behave as well as the adults who had just left the ring, and to pay close attention to the differences. It was interesting to see the contrast in behavior, as these stallions seemed a little friskier and not quite as comfortable. The riders had to give a lot more verbal cues to keep them on track, but despite less than one year of training, they performed quite well.
Then came the intermission, which lasted about ten minutes. A food tent was available that offered all types of food and drink, as well as souvenir t-shirts and other goodies. After finishing my burger, I got back to my seat in time to see a couple more small performances. Next came the grand finale, where they brought the experienced adults back to the ring for the famous “Ballet of the White Stallions.” I watched as four skilled horses weaved around each other, walked on diagonals, and extended their bodies vertically as they stood on their hind legs. All of their steps were so rhythmic and precise that the rider would even slow them down and make it look like they were dancing to the classical music playing in the background. Only years and years of training could have produced such well-trained performers, and it was a privilege to see how the horses were able to respond to it.
After the show, I took a walk around the barn and got to meet some of the horses face-to-face. Many were longing for affection as they pushed their faces up against the bars, practically begging to be pet. For safety reasons, however, I was told I had to resist. Exiting the barn, I saw a worker standing with one of the adult Lipizzans, where people could take pictures next to it. I continued up the hill and looked out over the pasture where several young Lipizzans could be seen frolicking with one another. After taking a few pictures, I decided to call it a day.
For 49 years and counting, Tempel Farms in Wadsworth has housed these amazing creatures, training them and showcasing their skills to the general public. With plenty of excitement for the kids and an exquisite art form for the adults to appreciate, the Tempel Lipizzans provides an entertaining venue for everyone. Next time your family is having trouble agreeing on something, set aside a couple hours to go and experience this rich tradition.

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