Sinead Halpin and Manoir de Carneville at WEG. Photo by Jenni Autry.
It seems to be the year of great horses retiring and it is with a proud yet heavy heart that my syndicate members and I announce the retirement of Manoir De Carneville, Tate.
It is one of the hardest decisions in a horseman’s life to decide when a horse’s competitive journey has reached its limits. After 30 FEI starts, six four-stars, 18 three-stars and five trips across the pond, our team has collectively decided that time is now.
For those who know Tate, let me assure you that his colorful personality is still shining bright. While the scenery has changed, he relives his glory on the jog strip daily, dragging whomever drew the short stick, hand grazing or more hand bucking, across the fields. Like clockwork, if a car drives by or even a bird flies too close Tate is squealing with all four legs above the ground and me hanging on to the neck strap!
Some things never change, but age and a few chronic injuries are catching up to Tate physically and the maintenance required to keep him fighting fit is becoming excessive and uncomfortable for all of us responsible for his well-being.
My relationship with this horse began a decade ago when Jim Cogdell graciously purchased Tate for me as a raw 7-year-old in 2007. Tate quickly rose to expectations and in 2009 was named to the U.S. High Performance list for the first time. He would remain on this list for the next nine years.
In 2010, Tate represented America for the first time on the Nations Cup team in Holland at Boekelo finishing with a silver medal. Then in 2011, contested his first four-star at Rolex where he finished as Rolex/USEF National CCI4* Champion in the third place position.
A year later, Tate flew to England and had the honor of serving as the first alternate for the 2012 London Olympics. It was during this time that the support of the American eventing community became a real part of Tate’s life and a driving force behind our success.
The letters, texts, and messages of support and encouragement became part of our story and kept us fighting throughout the next stages of his career and our partnership. After the 2012 Olympics, Tate went on to finish second at Burghley, achieving the highest American finish in 18 years.
It was at this point in Tate’s career when the Manoir de Carneville Syndicate was formed. Syndicate members Christine Turner, Tim Holekamp, Margaret MacGregor, Brian Callanan, Kristin Michaloski and Bernadette Cogdell came together to secure the horse for America with the hopes of him representing Team USA at the World Championships in 2014.
The syndicate’s support changed the game and fueled Tate to return to Rolex again in 2014 with a fourth place finish that successfully landed him on the 2014 WEG squad. Tate and I returned to Rolex in 2016 where we finished 10th which positioned us as alternates again for the Olympics for Rio in 2016.
I could spend paragraphs more listing Tate’s stats and accolades, but the most important thing this horse has done cannot be represented by a number or a ranking. Without knowing it, Tate has been an inspiration to me, to all those who have worked with him (or for him) and ultimately the country who has watched and supported us through the highs and lows of his career. He has left a mark on a lot of hearts. He has shown vulnerability, resilience, fierce determination and at the end of the day he has always shown up for the job asked of him.
My husband once said, “A great horse would jump through fire for you if you asked and a great horseman would never ask.” The thought of putting Tate into a position that he physically could not handle would break both his spirit and mine. These words helped us all find peace and comfort with this decision.
I look forward to having Tate around the farm as Team Mascot and I’m sure Ill enjoy some hacks that are more exciting than Burghley! If the working students are lucky they might even get the occasional lesson on him! But mainly Tate will get to rule the farm and judge all the youngsters coming up … that flared nostril seems to say it all!
To Jim and Bernadette Cogdell, Christine Turner, Tim Holekamp, Margaret MacGregor, Brian and Annie Callanan, and Kristin Michaloski thank you for the years you spent supporting this team. It is a huge commitment financially and emotionally to be a part of U.S. eventing through horse ownership. Everyone on this team took their role to heart and Tate’s successes directly reflect the hand each of you played in his career.
To Tate’s grooms, Chrissy McBride, Megan Kepferle and Lynn Garvin, the words thank you will never be enough.
To our team of vets and farriers, thank you for treating Tate and I like family.
To Tate, my beautiful horse and forever partner, you have changed my world. I have no idea what forces brought us together but together we have traveled the world, pushed each other for greatness, picked each other up in weakness and together achieved things I only dreamed possible, thank you with all of my heart.
