the tempel lipizzans

I just took a minute to read a few other reviews and I'm shocked... This place is really charming. And I thought I had already reviewed it but I guess not, so here goes:Definitely arrive early. Be aware that you might have traffic on 294 from Six Flags. Have a picnic lunch or buy a sandwich and a glass of wine at the farm. It's inexpensive, simple and plentiful food.Bring a long lense if you plan on doing any photography. Use a fast shutter speed and burst mode to make sure you don't miss a key moment of the performance.This isn't a fancy place and it also isn't very expensive. It's not as glamorous as seeing the horses at the Spanish Riding School but it's right here! In Illinois! It's a treasure...! Grab your sunhat and go support this stables. We went several times this summer and believe me, I'll go again next summer, too. Where else can you eat a burger, relax, sip some wine, watch beautiful horses perform and the get to pet them afterward?

If you enjoy horse shows, this is one of the best. The beautiful white Lipizzans are world-renowned for their agility and skill. After the show, you can visit them in the stable.

This show is not worth the price. Most of the time you watch horses trotting around the arena. The first half of the show was somewhat interesting and the very short time we saw them up on their hind legs (about 10 minutes) was very good.The ending performance was very long and boring.I was sorry I exposed my grandkids to a very boring evening.

There is without doubt a great deal of history, pride, and fascination with these beautiful and intelligent horses and so we were excited to have the opportunity of seeing these lovely animals in the flesh.The ranch is very open, well organised and clean with friendly staff.Although the first thing you see is a portable toilet cabin, which is more UK than USA, keep going and you get a reasonable selection of food and goodies under cover and can dip in when you like.We went early to get a good seat which are not numbered, but on a first come, first serve basis. There is a wooden grandstand with basic seating or stackable chairs under trees. On this day everyone seemed to get a good seat.On to the show. This consisted of individual pieces to great music featuring different horses and movements. You will see clean cut uniformed riders, upright posture and well turned out horses.The show reminded me of an extended Olympic dressage event where the horses gently ambled around the arena. My two are very keen on horses but both mentioned the dreaded "B" word (bored). There were a maximum of 4 horses in the ring at a time where at least 6 would have filled out the space more.Yes, there were occasional jumps and "tricks" but much repeated pedestrian choreography with little showmanship. Some would say I should go to the circus then, however, the finale just went on and on and the spectacular finale did not happen.In my opinion the best bit was the access allowed to the riders, stables and horses at the end of the show. Very crowded but wait for the coaches to leave and you will be able to chat with the crew. Do go but you may not have the WOW factor expected.

I offered a booklet of horse tattoos and a coloring book to my granddaughter, after reading the PRINTED prices on the back of each item. The tattoo booklet was priced at $1.50 and the coloring book was priced at $3.99. When I asked about paying, I was informed that the tattoo booklet was $5.00 and that the coloring book was $10.00. I said that I assumed that since the price was printed as shown, that she would in fact sell the items to me at the lower prices, based on the law. (What business doesn't know that law??) When the clerk said she had no authority to charge me the prices printed on the actual items and that a manager would have to handle the transaction, I said, "Okay, I'll wait." When the manager approached, the clerk had a private conversation with him before he came to where I was standing at the end of a long counter. I explained that the law states that if an item is priced below what the business is asking, that the business is required to honor the price printed on the item. He said their prices were posted on 8 1/2 x 11 inch signs that were at the far end of a counter that was crowded with other patrons when I went to the "book" end of the counter. When I repeated the law to him, he walked to the other end of the counter, picked up two of the signs and brought them to the counter in front of me, placing them firmly and loudly on the top of the counter. He repeated, "These are our prices." I refused to purchase the said items and had to redirect my granddaughter elsewhere. It was a sad disappointment to the end of a lovely afternoon. I recommend that you buy the kids their souvenirs elsewhere before going to the presentation or avoid the souvenir stand altogether.

I've seen Lippizzan performances before - in large arenas and my 8 year old daughter LOVES horses & has done a lot of reading about the Lipizzan breed of horses so she is very familiar with their history & unique moves. We were very excited to learn of this local Tempel Lipizzan Farm so we bought our tickets & went on an adventure.First of all, the tickets are general seating. The show starts at 1:00, with the gates opening at 11:30. With bringing kids we didn't want to get stuck behind someone, so we got there early at the 11:30 time. So that left me an hour an a half to entertain 3 kids (ages 8-11). We brought stuff along but to be honest, I would have rather spent a little more with each ticket in order to have assigned seats & not have to get there so early. Because we got there early, we did take seats on the bleachers over on the far side where the horses come in. Our seats were excellent & because it was cloudy that day we didn't have to worry about the sun, but I strongly recommend bringing suntan lotion. There is a field off to the side where kids can play a little - maybe bring a baseball & glove to throw around while waiting.They do have a "café" & souvenir shop. They sell stuffed white horses ($35), horse necklaces ($15) & some postcards & color books. My son got a little hungry so he bought a hotdog ($4.95).The performance is okay but not as great as I thought it would be. At most they had 4 horses out in the arena at a time. It was a lot of footwork. What everyone enjoys the most is the foals & the "airs above the grounds". After a lot of footwork, they bring out 3 horses that demonstrate their leaps. At most 1 horse did the airs above the grounds 3 times & then other horses did some leaping or hopping. Then after that they brought out 4 horses to do the quadrille - again a lot of footwork for about 15 minutes. To be honest, after seeing the leaping, the quadrille was a little boring. I know they put a lot of work into knowing how to do that footwork, but it kind of seemed to drag on. A little girl behind me kept asking when it would finally be done & I think we were all wondering that.I really wouldn't recommend bringing anyone smaller than 8 years old. My daughter, who LOVES horses, had a hard time sitting all that time watching it.After the show, they open the barn for you to walk through, see some horses & pet some. That part is very fun although be prepared for a lot of waiting & people pushing in front of you.The staff was friendly & helpful & the grounds were beautiful. Unfortunately for facilities, all they have available are portapotties.

The late Temple Smith, and now his daughters, commited an amazing amount of time and money on his "hobby" that brought the Lipizzan horses to America -- 600 of them. Today the Spanish style riding complex is like visiting the original in Austria - which is now a shadow of what is here. Situated in the middle of 7000 acres still owned by the Smith family, this is a vast beautifully maintained horse complex, complete with world renown instructors, expert riders, and amazing horse whisperers. The main homestead is sometimes rented out for special events, too.

It is great fun to go to one of the week day shows and see the beautiful horses strut their stuff. The arial jumps are amazing!

Gorgeous animals that perform leaps that look impossible. Have never seen horses that could perform such feats.

Was many years ago, but still remember how wonderful they were, There is a lot of history with this farm and it needs to be publicized.

Horses are great and the trainers are outstanding, but they didn't train the younger horses soon enough so there was some talent lacking in the show. Someone really screwed up because the older horses couldn't perform any more and the younger ones weren't ready. Hope this has changed as they used to put on a really good show.

We drove over three hours to see this show because my mother had seen and enjoyed it in the past. They told me it was a two hour show - it was really only 1 hour & 15 minutes. Mostly they just brought in young horses in training - not very exciting. One horses who was well trained did a few high kicks, then when they finally brought in the last four well trained ones we were expecting a great big end to the show, but they just walked them around - no jumps! My mom said it was much better in the past - she said she would never come again & I agreed - mot worth $25.00!

The grounds are well kept and beautiful. The horses are totally magnificant. The riders are top of the game. A good place to visit.

If you appreciate horses, you probably already know what the Lipizzans are all about. The ones at Tempel Farms are among the best you will find. Very enjoyable show and absolutely beautiful animals.

reasonable priced, rare opportunity to see the horses perform. nice stadium.