Our Story

The Lipizzan Heritage Institute's story begins with the foundation of their precursor, the Tempel Lipizzans (1958-2023). In 1958 Tempel and Esther Smith acquired a small herd of Lipizzan horses from the Austrian government and imported them to the United States. Their vision was bold—to not only breed Lipizzan horses for American riders, but to firmly establish the European art of classical riding on American soil. Their dream took root, and over the following 65 years the Tempel program became a cornerstone of both Lipizzan preservation and classical horsemanship in the United States. Through public performances, behind-the-scenes tours, and an intensive working student program, the Tempel Lipizzans introduced thousands to the beauty, power, and grace possible within the human-horse partnership. They consistently hosted world-renowned clinicians and provided a place of training to students and professionals in the discipline of classical riding.

Since the closing of the Tempel program in 2023, members of the Smith family have founded The Lipizzan Heritage Institute (LHI) as a 503(c) nonprofit meant to continue carrying this mission into the future. The purpose of LHI is to educate both equestrians and the public about the timeless art of classical riding and the living heritage of the Lipizzan breed, and seeks to do this through four driving factors:

• Education and Access. The LHI will offer a wealth of educational and historical resources through clinics, webinars, in-person events, and a robust online archive—open to Lipizzan lovers and horse enthusiasts of all kinds.
   
• Support for Breeders. By creating a network of expertise aligned with the standards of the Lipizzan International Federation (LIF), the LHI will offer vital support and education to Lipizzan breeders. The LHI is also proud to support and collaborate with the United States Lipizzan Federation (USLF) in its vital work of promoting quality breeding in Lipizzans, by sharing the responsibility of education and outreach.
   
• Sponsorship and Stewardship. The LHI will provide sponsorship opportunities for elite Lipizzan mares and stallions, as well as for riders and trainers dedicated to the art of classical horsemanship. One such sponsorship opportunity will be our Ambassador Program, which will enable donors to support specific champions of the breed through tax-deductible contributions.
   
• Honoring Tradition. The LHI will create and host opportunities for practitioners of classical horsemanship to be recognized for their work, as well as become better connected to a like-minded community. The first in this endeavor is an annual bursary award in memory of classical rider and trainer Alf Athenstaedt, which will be administered by the LHI Awards Board to an exceptional individual practicing the art of classical horsemanship, beginning in July 2026. 

The LHI is committed to ensuring that the Lipizzan remains not only a symbol of nobility and beauty, but also continues to be an ideal partner in classical riding, both across the United States and around the world. In so doing, Lipizzans and classical horsemanship alike will be preserved for the enrichment and enjoyment of future generations, both for the horse and for the human.