position: director at large

CANDIDATE: Esther Buonanno - ILlinois (Incumbent)

How long have you been a member of USLF?

I’m Director of Tempel Lipizzans and our business has been a member of the USLF for 12 years, and before that aligned with the USLR for 16 years. I became a representative for Tempel Farms when I became a Lifetime Member of the USLF in 2014, 9 years ago.

Introduce yourself by giving a brief description of your journey with Lipizzans:

I was born into it! My grandparents are the founders of Tempel Lipizzans and my mother and Aunt were instrumental in bringing our farm and horses to the public via performances, tours and hosting North American Young Riders Championships for 13 years. My personal journey began 13 years ago when I started in an administrative role at Tempel Lipizzans. My focus has been on developing our educational programming to make Lipizzan horses and dressage better understood. I’m passionate about excellence in breeding and have dedicated time and resources to continuing this at Tempel Farms.

If asked by someone new to the breed, why are you so passionate about Lipizzans, what would you say?

Lipizzan horses are living history and they need active participants in their preservation. After many years of breeding, I’m in awe of the consistency of design and temperament of these horses. They are useful, athletic, versatile, hearty, intelligent and beautiful. To breed them is an honor passed on from many generations of people whose care over time shows in the product of each new foal. I want to pay the honor forward passing on excellent horses and knowledge to the next generation of breeders.

Describe your volunteer and/or committee experience, events attended, and time spent with the USLF:

I have hosted two Annual Meetings and two Symposiums/Breeding Evaluations at Tempel Farms in the past 10 years. I have attended several LIF General Assemblies and Judging Seminars in stud farms around Europe. I serve on the board of directors and the breeding and historical committees.

What specific interests, skills, and talents will you bring to the position of director?

As a director, I believe I bring a strong commitment to the preservation of the Lipizzan along with knowledge and experience with management of Lipizzan breeding; with each new foal that is born there is a respect for the past and a commitment to the future. In addition, I continue to be interested in finding an archival means to gather our breeds history in a multimedia way that may grow over time with the contributions of many.

If you could tell the world one thing about the USLF and our work with Lipizzans-what would it be?

There is nothing like a Lipizzan horse; it is this which fuels the passionate stewards of this breed.