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We are saddened to report that Poggio II, the longtime partner of the late and great Amy Tryon, has passed away at the age of 29. Amy Tryon’s husband, Greg Tryon, posted the following tribute on his social media:

On February 9th at 21:30 Amy got an early birthday present, her beloved Poggio.

The Old Man’s heart beats no more.

I met him for the first time nearly a quarter of a century ago. “See my new horse!” Calling the orange and grey, half clipped, long-haired caterpillar a horse was in my eyes a bit optimistic. Knowing what her intentions for the horse once known as Chester’s Time to Fly in the racing world were, calling him a horse was way out of the box thinking, even for Amy. You thought he was a bit unorthodox later in life, wow, you should have seen him that first day.

Poggio II, yes, there was a Poggio in the world prior. Whether he was called Poggio, Pogi, or just plain P, he left an indelible mark in your heart. There were no bad days with P, he was eager each and every day, and he usually let you know about it from the get-go.

He did not like to be last, oh how the other riders didn’t enjoy going on gallops with the effervescent P bounding by their horses’ side as they prepared for some event around the world. P thought it was a game, “please, can we go again?!?”.

The Old Man’s heart beats no more

Oh, the places Poggio showed us. Traveling across the US and Canada. From the west coast to small towns in Pennsylvania and the rest of the Eastern seaboard. A passport that would take us on journeys through England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Greece, Germany and China. All to return home to small towns in Washington State to live a life with his miniature donkeys.

The Old Man’s heart beats no more

He astonished people left and right. That’s the horse that jumped double clear? He’s so, so, so… downhill? He’s so short. He doesn’t have a trot, or other gaits for that matter. You’re riding him in a hackamore?!? Please have him stand still… Please make him stop cribbing, he’s teaching my horse bad behavior…

I prefer to remember the time an international show jumper walked up and offered a “blank check” for him in those early days. During Pogi’s first trip to Ocala, the rider apparently sat and watched P jump into and out of his paddock all day long, just for the sheer joy of jumping.

The Old Man’s heart beats no more

But as I hear from people around the world, some known, and most unknown, the power of Poggio was his ability to bring people together, for his personality reminded all of the beauty of horses, our “Why”. Horses are expensive, we get hurt, they get hurt, they break our hearts, but I can see why some child gets lost in the world of the horse from a very early age.

When I received the call on Friday, “hey, Pogi isn’t feeling so hot, all should be good, just wanted to let you know…” It caused me to mindful of the old man’s age. It caused me also to think how lucky I have been to know him, and to meet all the amazing people he has introduced me to. From every starred event, to Pan Am’s, to World Games, to Olympics, to neighbors back yards, Poggio was a statesman operating far above his station in life.

The phone call yesterday came with much emotion on the other end. A decision needs to be made, or nature will make it for us. There are the details, the what ifs, but in your heart you know the first responsibility is to be as faithful and loyal a friend has he. I assure you as I sit here typing, I am unable to stop the tears that stream down my cheeks.

The Old Man’s heart beats no more

Sitting in his stall that last evening, surrounded by some of those who have loved and taken care of him over the years, was both tough and peaceful. There were tears, and there was laughter. I promised him his forelock would never have to be braided again, no dreaded dressage as the courses would only be x-country and show jumps. I noted of course, he could jump them in whatever particular order he chose, as he was wont to do anyways. Most importantly, Mom would be waiting for him with open arms and an endless supply of Mrs. Pasture’s cookies.

The Old Man’s heart beats no more

I have left out so many of his accomplishments, and I have deliberately left out the names of so, so many people that have cared for and loved Poggio. He has become the linking point amongst a great many of us. He is neither the end all or be all… and as one person wrote: “Another chapter of life closes, but he leaves behind for us so many memories and connections he made happen”. Let us celebrate that about Poggio the Second.
Last night, I kissed his ear one final time whispering my thank you’s and telling him what a good boy he was.

The Old Man’s Heart Beats FOREVER More!

Indeed, the Thoroughbred gelding’s resume is full of accomplishments. He and Amy competed in two FEI World Equestrian Games and two Olympic Games; they collected team bronze and finished sixth individually in the 2004 Olympics and won individual bronze in the 2006 World Equestrian Games. The pair also finished third at Kentucky in 2002, 10th in 2005, and in the top 20 at Burghley in 2003.

But it wasn’t just the accolades and medals won that made Poggio II so great. It was his pure joy for life and for his job, made evident by his quick thinking and his incredible jumping style. He possessed a true love and a keen understanding of his job, and the results and partnership he had with Amy are proof of that. Poggio was also named Best Conditioned Horse at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2002. He was also named the 2006 Eventing Horse of the Year by The Chronicle of the Horse.

Amy found Poggio II in the classifieds section in The Seattle Times and would go on to produce one of the greatest and most consistent talents that modern American eventing has seen. Please join us in sending our condolences to Greg and everyone who loved Poggio. We’re picturing Amy and Poggio reunited, galloping cross country together once again.

Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.

Editor’s Note: EN has been informed by Equestrian Events, Inc. that the raising of $400,000 does not guarantee the viability of this year’s event. The necessary amount, EEI executive director Lee Carter says, remains at $750,000, but securing $400,000 would be helpful in moving forward. The donations will be presented to the EEI Executive Committee tomorrow and more updates will be provided as they are made available. We have made some corrections to the following text to remove any unintended misinformation.

Just over 12 hours remain until the fundraising deadline for the effort to save the 2021 running of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, and organizers Equestrian Events, Inc. this morning released an update that just over $90,000 has been raised to date by grassroots donors. According to Sara Kozumplik Murphy, who has been heading up much of the fundraising charge, there are also larger amounts that have been pledged by a network of owners and other eventing supporters this weekend. The original fundraising goal has been set at $750,000.

“The grassroots effort that has happened the last few days has been really, really cool,” Sara commented in an update video this morning. “I have been told that it is possible for Kentucky to feel like they can run if we have $400,000 today. There’s a lot of different things that can be done with sponsors and donors and people that have supported our sport for a huge amount of time in a lot of ways and who have supported the Kentucky Horse Park in a lot of ways.”

According to Sara’s estimates of pledges confirmed, “we have about $320,000 – $330,000 right now, and there are a few more irons on the fire on our end.”

There are many moving parts at work within this complicated situation. Equestrian Events, Inc. released a Q&A answering questions that donors may have. We also encourage you to read the well thought-out opinion-editorial penned by Ocala Jockey Club owner and president Pavla Nygaard that was published yesterday outlining the exorbitant costs of running an event as well as ideas on future sustainability.

“Now is the time to see if we can just figure it out,” Sara said. You can make your donation to Equestrian Events, Inc. by clicking here.

Photo via Deonte Sewell on Facebook.

When he was a freshman in high school, Deonte Sewell made a piece of artwork depicting Phillip Dutton jumping a ditch and wall at what was then known as Rolex Kentucky. This manifestation of the eventing bug was just an idea in Deonte’s head in that moment. Little did he know that, nearly a decade later, he’d find himself working for Phillip himself as a vital member of the two-time Olympic gold medalist’s everyday team.

It’s been a winding road for Deonte, but the depth and variety of experience on his impressive resume has helped him end up where he is now. And he wants other aspiring riders and grooms to know that they, too, can find their pipe dreams becoming very real with just a bit of dedication and polish. We asked Deonte for his perspective on finding success working for professional riders. What have been some of the biggest lessons he’s learned along the way?

Deonte has been an integral part of programs including Tom Proctor Racing, Sara and Brian Murphy, Justine Dutton and Chris Barnard, and many others before and in between. This variety has given him an expansive view of the equestrian world and what it takes to navigate its inner workings.

Seeking Out the Right Positions

“When I would look for positions, I sought out a lot using Facebook. I had an idea of what I wanted prior to looking, but I also tried to have an understanding of the status of my knowledge and experience. Will I fit the part? Is the rider willing to train someone who doesn’t have as much experience? Those were the biggest things I looked for, and most of the time you’ll find the rider is more than willing to teach you.

I always felt like I didn’t have what it took, and the truth is you won’t really know until you get there. Most of the time, the riders will have a judgement of your general idea when you’re talking to them. If you show you’re persistent and willing to learn, that will make them eager to give you an education.

The upper-level riders, they’re just humans! They’re very nice. Just ask them, you never know! Some people prefer you to be up front and bold about it, I think that shows guts and that you really want it. The more you put out there, the more people will see how badly you want it.”

Photo via Deonte Sewell on Facebook.

Work Ethic

“To me, it’s really not a matter of the work being ‘hard’ or ‘easy’. It’s more how efficient am I going to be in the barn? That’s the biggest thing. Are you fast or slow? Do you try to look for more work when you’re done with your task? And if you don’t know what to do, are you asking questions about what’s next? Are you paying attention to the details and flow of the day? The more ambitious you are about getting things done, the more you’ll figure out.

Some days, you’ll be at the barn before 4 a.m and won’t get home until after 10. If you truly want this as a lifestyle, this is just a stepping stone to what’s to come. You’ll either push through or you’ll realize that it isn’t for you in the first few months. If there is a trial period, always take it!

Working Well as a Team

“Everyone has their roles in the barn. There will be people who’ve been there for years, and when you’re just coming in they’re going to have the advantage of experience. This can be discouraging, but you should more so understand the hard work they’ve put in to get where they are. I look at (Phillip’s head groom Emma Ford) and think about how much she has seen and done, and I only want to learn from her. The reason they are where they are – and this includes the riders – is that they put the time in.

You can’t look at your coworkers as competition. Efficiency is key in the barn, and if you have conflict it can really kill that. Any corrections are meant to make you a better horseman and a better rider.”

On Learning from a Variety of Programs

“Everyone has different ways they do things, and everyone has different explanations as to why they do it. I always look at how different things work for different horses and file them away for later down the road when I might have a horse that this method would work for.

Brian Murphy would always tell me to think of each program like a tool chest. To take it in and put it away for later in life when you may need it.

Last summer, spending time at (Justine Dutton and Chris Barnard’s Notting Hill Stables in Ocala) really helped my education. I always felt like show jumping was my weakest phase, so spending that time understanding a bit more what Justine wants in the show jumping, getting the feel of it through the course design of Chris Barnard, and riding proper show jumpers was really helpful. Now I feel I’m starting to get where I’m more confident than I was.

All of this has really helped me at Phillip’s because a part of my job is that I do get to ride some of the horses. Having all of that education is nice because now I can sit on the greener horses and still be able to do a job and understand what Phillip wants me to achieve.”

Check Your Direction

“I didn’t think this is where I would end up, but at the same time, I always said this is where I would end up. I used to joke about working for Phillip, but I was also serious about pursuing this career and so I was willing to work for anyone as long as it put me in the right direction.

You can learn something from anyone. It’s all about the experience. I had to set short term goals of what would put me where I wanted to go. The rider’s job is to mentor you so I was able to really lean on the people I’d worked for for help.

And it’s really nice being a part of their career. It’s really rewarding because you see how hard they work, and it gives me confidence that I’m heading in the right direction.

At the end of the day, Deonte says, he had no option but to work to get where he is now. As difficult as the going can get, he says it’s the most rewarding for him to be able to say “I worked for this”. “What is going to make you the better horseman?” he asked aloud. “Do that. That builds character.”