Olympic Bound Locals, Saddle Seat World Cup and More…
By Keswick Life
Olympic Bound
Allison Brock and Rosevelt, a 13-year-old Hanoverian stallion owned by long-time Brooke USA patrons Fritz and Claudine Kundrun will compete with Team USA in Dressage at the Rio Olympics. Brock and Rosevelt made their name on the national stage with a stellar performance at Dressage at Devon in 2014, earning double wins that foreshadowed their future success. Since then, they continued to make a name for themselves with multiple victories during the highly competitive winter season in Wellington, Florida. During their 2016 European tour they were consistent and scored well, earning themselves a spot on the U.S. Olympic team from a very competitive field. The Rio Olympics will be the first major championship team competition for Brock and Rosevelt.
Hyperion Stud owner, Vicky Castegren recently announced that her prized stallion Imothep, has been short-listed for competition at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, under Japanese rider and 5 time Olympian, Taizo Sugitani. A very joyous Vicky Castegren, said “I never thought that when I dreamed about qualifying for the Olympics it would be like this. As a rider I dreamed of it for myself, but as an owner I did not even conceive of it. Yet here I am almost astonished that after this wild ride we have all been on, we can legitimately say we have arrived. I am overjoyed with having the honor of being surrounded by such an incredible team who has brought us to this point, and I hope we are given the opportunity to represent each and every one of the people who have helped us along the way.”“I have had the honor of representing my home country in five previous Olympics, and have an extremely bright outlook for what we are bringing to the upcoming Olympics in Rio,” said Taizo. “I feel as though we are bringing a strong effort to Brazil, and the relationship between Imothep and myself is getting stronger and more comfortable as time goes on.”
Sugitani has represented Japan in individual competition during every summer Olympics since Atlanta in 1996, with his best result to date being tied for 15th in Athens during the 2004 Games. Additionally, Taizo has been a part of team competition in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Games, with Japan’s best result of those years being 11th place at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. In addition to Taizo’s Olympic experience, he has remained quite remarkable, as he has earned two Bronze medals in the 2014 Asian Games, six appearances at the World Equestrian Games and twice appearing in the World Cup Finals. Sugitani is currently ranked #177 in the world, according to the Longines FEI Jumping Rankings.
Castegren added, “I am a true believer that everything happens as it should even though the path can be difficult. Each and every one of the talented people who have been a part of Imothep’s education over the years have brought us to where we are today. When I take a look back at what we have accomplished as a group, since I purchased Imothep as a 6 year old in 2009, I am completely humbled at the level of success we have attained to this point. It brings me an immense amount of pride and joy to see everyone involved, especially Imothep’s trainer Craig Yates, acknowledged in this way. This is the pinnacle we all dream of in some capacity.”
As the highest ranked Japanese show jumper, Taizo Sugitani has been named to the four person team for Japan. Also representing Japan, his teammates are Toshiki Masui, Reiko Takeda and Daisuke Fukushimo, with Koki Saito as a reservist.Chef d’equipe, Hirokazu Higashira is expected to release the official horse and rider combinations within the next couple of weeks, as teams make final preparations for their travels to Brazil in August. Rio de Janeiro Olympic equestrian showjumping competition will begin on August 14, 2016.
U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team Wins Gold/Silver
Stellenbosch, South Africa – The U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team traveled to South Africa to compete in the 2016 International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup at the Mistico Equestrian Centre, July 7-9. The twelve U.S. athletes delivered excellent performances against teams from Canada, Namibia, and South Africa. Under the guidance of coaches David Cater (Dunbarton, N.H.), Pam Roush (Lutz, Fla.), and Kent Swalla (Columbia, Mo.), the Three-Gaited section won Gold and the coveted Three-Gaited World Cup trophy while the Five-Gaited section won Silver.
“We could not be more proud of the team as a whole and both the Three- and Five-Gaited teams had brilliant performances. More importantly, they came together as a team which made the whole event more meaningful.”The U.S. Team and supporters were thrilled with the final results announced at Saturday evening’s Award Ceremony. The Three-Gaited section of the U.S. Team received stellar scores to win its Gold medal with South Africa and Canada earning Silver and Bronze, respectively, and Namibia finishing in fourth.
The U.S. Three-Gaited section consisted of: Aleia Brown (Dayton, Ohio), Cameron Kay (W. Bloomfield, Mich.), Courtney McGinnis (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Faith Robbins (Carmel, Ind.), Kasey Saccocia (Halifax, Mass.)and Molly Codeanne (Wethersfield, Conn.)
In the Five-Gaited section, the U.S. Team rode well in the challenging competition to win the Silver medal with South Africa earning Gold and Canada collecting Bronze. The U.S. Five-Gaited section consisted of: Allie Poovey (Winston Salem, N.C.), Ashley Brandies (Jesup, Ga.), Ashley Stewart (Pfafftown, N.C.), Cailin Bridges (Salisbury, Mass.).Catherine Wheeler (Keswick, Va.), Rose Marie Wheeler (Anchorage, Ky.)
“It was amazing getting to represent my country and experience a new culture. Competing as a team in a normally individual sport was new but was a fulfilling experience. I am thankful that I got to compete with my fellow teammates, coaches and all involved in the World Cup”, said Catherine Wheeler.
Coleman Wins at Fitch’s Corner
Fitch’s Corner is the private farm of Fernanda Kellogg and Kirk Henckels, located on 150 acres in the heart of Millbrook hunt country. The 2016 Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials mark the 23rd Anniversary of a country weekend and horse competition, which competitors, enthusiasts, and the who’s who of Dutchess County simply don’t miss. The elegant setting, challenging courses, and wide array of associated activities attracts both amateur and Olympic competitors. Fitch’s Market offers more than 50 exhibitors selling items from fashions to home and accessories for horse and hound.
Fitch’s Food Court presents healthy and hearty fare in between the social events which include: the Blue Jean Ball Saturday night and the Spectator Luncheon, benefiting the Millbrook Fire Department and Rescue Squad on Sunday and featuring a Collector Car Show and Parade. The farm operates as a private horse boarding facility. They welcome the community to enjoy the Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials Weekend every July. The horse competition is the core activity of the weekend and, for three years in a row, has been the site of the United States Eventing Association Area 1 Northeast regional championships.
At the recent Fitch’s Corner Horse Trials sanctioned by the USEA and USET held on July 23 & 24, 2016, Beginner , Novice, Novice, Training, and Preliminary Divisions were offered. William Coleman III finished first on Butch Cassiday and second on Boris O’Hara. Photo by Mike Mandley Photography
Boys & Girls Clubs Visit Keswick Hunt Kennels
On Tuesday, June 28, Keswick Hunt Club welcomed a group of children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Orange to their Clubhouse and Kennels in Albemarle County, Virginia. The youngsters first heard from whipper-in and historian Barclay Rives about the goals and planning involved in organized foxhunting. Nancy Wiley, MFH, a former board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs, encouraged the children to share their outdoor experiences and to be keen observers of nature and wild animals.These Boys & Girls Clubs participants quickly mastered the technique for holding their hound’s attention. Noted artist, Lee Gildea, continued this theme by displaying several of his works: paintings, carvings, and spectacular walking sticks formed from saplings twisted by honeysuckle or other vines (including one featuring whittled and painted likenesses of the Keswick pack). The children enjoyed examining the pieces and hearing Mr. Gildea explain that he began carving as a hobby while out in the woods waiting for hounds to come home.The visitors then followed Huntsman Tony Gammell into kennels, where they were enthusiastically greeted by this year’s adolescent puppies. Human and canine youngsters had a terrific time romping together and exchanging affectionate hugs and kisses. Eventually, Tony and kennelman Mike Poindexter, brought out several couples of adult hounds, and with a precautionary ratio of two children per hound (with several adults distributing biscuits and assistance as needed), the group went for a brief but energetic walk around the Keswick Horse Show grounds. All the guests had a newfound appreciation for the work involved in training and caring for hounds and some new inspiration to get outside and explore our natural world.
The Boys & Girls Clubs seek to “provide an after school and summer program for children and teens ages 6-18, comprised of diverse activities that meet the interests of all youth,” with the goal of “promoting and enhancing the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence.” The Clubs in Orange, Virginia, have developed a nature trail adjacent to their building to encourage outdoor exploration and also visit different area farms as part of their enrichment programs.
Keswick Hunt, established in 1896, participates in several community outreach events through the year. The club has an active program for its junior members, the Keswick Cubs, including mounted, unmounted, and social activities. Staff planned to bring hounds to the Boys and Girls Clubs headquarters as a follow-up experience for the children shortly after this article was written.
2016 Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. Hunter Breeding East Coast National Championship
Some of the best young horses in the country will come together in August at The Virginia Horse Center. The Virginia Young Horse Festival will proudly host the 2016 Sallie B. Wheeler/U.S. Hunter Breeding East Coast National Championship at the Virginia Horse Center on Saturday, August 27. Highlights will include the East Coast Best Young Horse Championship class, a party Saturday night at 5:00 p.m. in celebration of the Sallie B. Wheeler Hunter Breeding Championship. Several USEF Championship trophies will be awarded on Saturday including The Dave Kelley Perpetual trophy which will be awarded to the Overall Grand Hunter Breeding Champion. The J. Arthur Reynolds trophy, awarded to the breeder of the Overall Grand Hunter Breeding Champion, and The Foxwick Farm Perpetual Trophy awarded to the leading Thoroughbred. On Friday August 26, the Horse Center will be host to a C rated breeding show as part of the Virginia Young Horse Festival.