Lexington, KY (September 30, 2026) – The United States Dressage Federation™ (USDF) announced today that Tempel Farms/The Tempel Lipizzans has been selected as the inaugural entity to be inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame. What began in 1958, with an import of 20 Lipizzans from Austria and a goal of preserving and carrying on the tradition of the Spanish Riding School evolved into a multifaceted entity that not only bred, trained, and provided public classical dressage performances, but served also as an educational and program development center of dressage, through its hosting of AHSA/USEF Judges Forums, the North American Young Riders Championships, AHSA Central States Championships, USET Developing Clinics, and USET/USEF Young Rider Clinics. This is not to say they were any less influential with their world-renowned performances, of which they were quite discriminatory offsite, limiting them to cultural events and select high-profile performances. This philosophy and approach earned the ownership of Linda Smith Buonanno and Martha Smith Simpson unprecedented recognition by the Austrian government in 1993, with the presentation of the Officer’s Cross, Grand Decoration of Honor for Service to the Republic of Austria, for their ‘careful management of a cultural institution with such close ties to Austria.’

In her nomination, Roberta Williams explained that “to adequately summarize the influence over its 65-year history on dressage and equestrian sports in the US is nearly impossible. The involvement of countless well-known and respected individuals within the sport in the early years and beyond, and the vision, financial, and intellectual support of the ownership, by the families of Linda Buonanno, Martha Simpson, and Howard Simpson, was unparalleled. Well over 100,000 horse and non-horse enthusiasts were exposed to classical dressage as a result of Tempel Farms and the Tempel Lipizzans, and although their final performance occurred on September 3, 2023, their influence on dressage in this country is undeniable and can still be felt today, making them the perfect choice as the first entity to be inducted into the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame.”

USDF President Kevin Reinig added, “With such a rich history in classical dressage, the impact of seeing their amazing Lipizzans perform live, and the true dedication to the horse and sport of dressage, it was clear that Tempel Farms/The Tempel Lipizzans met, and far exceeded, the standards of the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, and I am thrilled that USDF has decided to expand its scope to allow for their induction, as well as other deserving entities going forward.”

This year’s inductee, as well as other honorees will be recognized as the Salute Gala & Annual Awards Banquet, to be held during the Adequan®/USDF Annual Convention in Lexington, KY, December 2-5. To purchase tickets to the Salute Gala, or to learn more about the Roemer Foundation/USDF Hall of Fame, please visit the USDF website at www.usdf.org.

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email usdressage@usdf.org, or call (859) 971-2277.