"The Equestrian News" August/September 2006
Sabine Schut-Kery: Redefining Equestrian
Art
Some people pursue riding as a sport, while others approach it as an art. And then there are those individuals
who manage to bring these two worlds together, blending technical skill with artistic passion. One such talent
is Sabine Schut-Kery, who has enjoyed a dual career training horses for competitive dressage, as well as for equestrian
exhibitions.
Not many trainer-riders would have the talent and commitment to engage in such diverse pursuits, but then Schut-Kery
is used to being an independent spirit. An early champion of the Friesian as a competitive dressage horse, Schut-Kery
has enjoyed great success competing and winning with this baroque breed in a sport often dominated by Warmbloods.
According to Schut-Kery, her longstanding relationship with Friesians began more by chance, than by design. As
a young girl in Krefeld, Germany, she was a member of the local Pony Club, which was located at the same facility
where Gunther Frohlich (founder of the Friesian Horse Society and the first breeder to import Friesians to Germany)
based his training center. "Everyone who got too tall for the ponies, got to ride the Friesians," said
Schut-Kery. "From there, it developed into a passion."
Although Schut-Kery has made a name for herself competing Friesians, her training expertise also encompasses other
baroque breeds, as well as Warmbloods, which she rode and competed during a three-year apprenticeship with Jan
Bemelmans (coach of the Spanish national dressage team). Said Schut-Kery, "In the end, it doesn't matter what
you ride. Every horse is different and has its own issues. You learn to bring out the best in each of them. I enjoy
them all."
While running a training business, competing at shows, and performing in equestrian exhibitions keeps Schut-Kery
on the go, she finds the rewards well worth the time and effort. "Competition gives you great discipline,"
said Schut-Kery. "Achieving throughness. Showing precision at the letters. A lot is happening in five to six
minutes, and it's a challenge to put it all together. I'm respectful of competition and amazed by it it's wonderful."
Exhibitions offer Schut-Kery a different, but equally satisfying experience. Whether she's performing a musical
freestyle sidesaddle, or getting her horses to bow, sit, lie down, rear, or perform the Spanish walk all on cue,
Schut-Kery delights audiences with her aesthetic sensibility and equestrian artistry.
"With exhibitions," said Schut-Kery, "I can express myself and do what I think is beautiful. I can
be playful with my horse and feel when he is ready to do certain movements. For example, when my horse hears applause
and he gets bigger and puffed up, why not let him passage?"
Even with show season in full swing, and a barn full of horses to train and compete, Schut-Kery shows no signs
of slowing down. In fact, she has begun a new project that will pair the talents of Destino, her Andalusian gelding,
with the art and beauty of flamenco dancing. To this multi-talented horsewoman, taking on new challenges is all
part of the journey. "With horses," said Schut-Kery, "you never stop learning."
Sabine Schut-Kery can be reached via her website at www.sabine-schut.com or at her training barn based at Mission
Pacific Equestrian Centre in Somis, 805-807-5994. |
