Sabine Schut-Kery, U.S. Olympic team silver medal winner and strongest scoring U.S. rider in Tokyo, will be relocating to San Diego in the spring of 2022.
The 53-year old Schut-Kery was previously based at the Bonavito family's Toyon Farms in Napa, CA, where she had moved to in the summer of 2020.
From Krefeld to Texas
Originally from Krefeld, Germany, Sabine Schut-Kery was trained by Jean Bemelmanns for three years and completed her “Bereiter” exam with the German Equestrian Federation. She further trained with Jan Nivelle and Stefanie Meyer-Biss and developed a name for herself by performing in exhibitions on Friesian and Andalusian horses. She was also one of the creators of the German horse musical 'Zauberwald,' the German version of Cavalia, where she met her husband, Hungarian Krisztian Kery.
In 1998 Sabine accepted the job of head rider and professional trainer at Jim Mosebrook and Larry Rings's Proud Meadow Friesians in Texas and brought her Friesian Jorrit along who became the first horse she trained from novice to Grand Prix level. Her exhibition rides on the Proud Meadow Friesians were memorable for their creativity and passion for horses and dressage, showcased at major events such as Dressage at Devon, the World Cup Finals in Las Vegas, and Palm Beach Dressage Derby.
West to California
at the 2005 Dressage at Devon
(Photo © Mary Phelps)
For 11 years Sabine was a resident trainer at El Campeon farms in Thousand Oaks near Los Angeles, CA. Krisztian works as a stunt actor training horses for movies. His work is featured in movies, such as The Magnificent Seven, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and American Sniper. He has doubled for Jason Statham, Orlando Bloom, Colin Farrell, Antonio Banderas.
In 2009 Sabine scouted the 3-year old Sanceo in Germany for Alice Womble-Heitman and Dr. Mike Heitman of Horsegate Ranch. A successful collaboration ensued. Sabine and Sanceo were the 2011 U.S. Young Horse Champions, they represented the USA at the 2012 World Young Horse Championships in Verden and got team gold at the 2015 Pan American Games. They peaked in 2021 when they made it onto the U.S. Olympic team for Tokyo, where they were America's lead pair for team silver.
Schut has been training loyally with Christine Traurig for years.
From Napa to San Diego
In June 2020, Sabine closed up shop at El Campeon and moved to Toyon Farm in Napa.
Furthermore, for the past three years, Schut-Kery has spent her winters in Wellington, Florida. This year she and Sanceo are based at Jane Cleveland's Poinciana Farm, but Sabine does not plan to compete Sanceo in the 5* CDI on 23 - 27 February 2022, the highlight dressage event in Florida. The 16-year old Sanceo will be kept fresh and fit for 2022 World Championships team selection, and will do a minimum amount of events.
Instead, Sabine has announced that she will be moving to a new base in San Marco, near San Diego, with easy access to the CDI Thermal competitions.
Sabine continues to operate in close connection with the Bonavito family.
"The plan is for Danielle to join me in San Diego and to continue to train with me. I am extremely grateful to the Bonavito family for their friendship and for providing me with such an incredible place to prepare Sanceo for Tokyo and to run my business out of their beautiful Toyon Farm," said Sabine.
Aside from the Womble's Sanceo, Sabine has horses in training from more clients, including Bridget Walker, who recently acquired the 7-year old Fuego TG (by Vetusto JVI x Opium del Lago). The bay stallion competed for Spain at the 2021 World Young Horse Championships.
"Napa and Toyon Farm are a magical place and it definitely was not an easy decision, but my life and business have shifted a bit after Tokyo with more horses for me to develop," she added to explain her move to South California.
Photos © Astrid Appels - Mary Phelps
Related Links
Fuego TG Sold to the U.S.A for Sabine Schut-Kery to Ride
Sabine Schut-Kery Relocates from L.A. to Toyon Farm in Napa Valley
Sabine Schut-Kery: "I Love the Mind of the PRE, the Fire and Desire for Life!"