Performing stallions mark 50 years in U.S.

It's been quite a ride for Wadsworth's Tempel Lipizzans.

Since coming to this country in 1958, they have been part of four presidential inaugurations, the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration and the Belmont Stakes.

Tempel Smith and his wife, Esther, fell in love with the Lipizzan horses during a trip to Vienna's Spanish Riding in School in 1957.

Earlier Coverage Slideshows Lipizzans in Wadsworth

Smith, owner of Chicago's Tempel Steel Co., spent the next year negotiating with the Austrian government to bring the horses to the United States. And, in August 1958, 20 Lipizzans arrived.

"It's a true American success story," said state Sen. Michael Bond. "This is a tradition of excellence that began in 1958 when someone had a vision and a dream. My children will come here and I hope my children's children will come here."

The Lipizzans started their 26th season Wednesday with this year's theme being the celebration of 50 years in the U.S. Gov. Rod Blagojevich declared Wednesday Tempel Lipizzan Day in Illinois.

Michael Milositis, deputy consul of Austrian Consulate in Chicago, attended Wednesday's performance to thank Smith's daughters.

"You have worked tirelessly to preserve this cultural treasure of which Austria is so proud," he said.

There are only about 2,000 Lipizzans in the world and the Tempel herd of 80 is the largest privately owned herd.

Over the last 50 years, nearly 900 Lipizzan horses have been born at Tempel Farms.

The farm is the only place in America where Lipizzan stallions regularly perform.

"I've already gone through a roll of film and haven't even seen the big boys yet," Susan Dunlap, of Huntley said at intermission Wednesday. "It's just fabulous."

Tempel Lipizzan timeline

bull; August 1958: Tempel and Esther Smith import their first 20 Lipizzans from Piber, Austria.

bull; 1959: Tempel Farms becomes the Lipizzans' new home.

bull; 1965: Trainer Alf Athenstaedt, an internationally ranked competitive dressage rider from West Germany, joins the Tempel Lipizzans.

bull; 1980 : Tempel Smith dies and his family continues to oversee the Lipizzans.

bull; 1982: Tempel Farms is opened to the public for performances.

bull; 2008: The Lipizzans celebrate 50 years in the United States.

Source: Tempel Farms