Lipizzan stallions taking time off for training
Tempel Farms has taken the summer season off from performances this year to focus on breeding and training of the world famous Lipizzan horses, as well as staff development.
In 2011, five fillies and two colts were born at the farm in late March and April. The young foals stay in the pasture until they begin training.
“We start to train just as they are turning 4,” said dressage trainer Eliza Ardizzone as she leads one white horse on a longe line.
“To do the young stallions performance takes about a year, and then to do the quadrille, depending on the horse, takes three to four years to learn most of the movements.”
Director of training Linda Leffingwell said she sees great potential in the young horses being trained.
“For the first time in its history of our performances, all of the young stallions are truly young stallions and there is not a mixture of older horses. This is the type of horse that will take us, in the long run, to the best possible performance we can give in the future.”
A dress rehearsal performance is planned in the indoor ring for the evening of Sept. 17. For details, visit www.tempelfarms.com.
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