72 SIDELINES AUGUST 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
There’s nothing
that Cynthia
values more
than the special
bond she has
with her horse,
Blind Date, who
came into her life
right when she
needed him.
Photos by Wild Eyes
Photography
By Kathryn Murphy
A bond that occurs between horse and rider is what Cynthia
Keating values the most. Cynthia has based her life and career
around her equestrian lifestyle, and appreciates that she made the
majority of her dearest and long-lasting friends through the
common bond of horses.
Her initial relationship with horses began at a very young age.
Adamant that Cynthia work for her riding lessons and pay for
her horses, her father was very instrumental in her work ethic.
“It makes me appreciate all that I have,” said Cynthia. As a small
child, her mother, who grew up learning to ride in New York’s
Central Park, instilled her love of horses by taking Cynthia trail
riding anytime she could.
Later, dressed in spurs and carrying a dressage whip, she was
taught by one of the first Dutchmen who came to America, Captain
Frederick Marsman at the Dana Hall Riding Center.
For 25 years, Cynthia has gone to Wellington, both showing
and riding with available clinicians. She loves hunters, jumpers and
foxhunting the best, but she has trained and shown in many
disciplines. She not only loves the relationship that she has with
her horse, but she loves the rush of endorphins that comes with
the sport.
Having bought off-the-track Thoroughbreds and shown
successfully against half-million-dollar horses, Cynthia doesn’t
shy away from a challenge. However, when she lost her favorite
horse to colic, she wanted to quit riding for good.
Thankfully, living in Aiken, South Carolina, she was surrounded
by equestrians who understood what she was going through.
Eventually, she bought her next horse, whom she appropriately
named Blind Date, as she bought him online through Dreamhorse.
com without trying him. “I always wanted a grey gelding!” she
admits.
Cynthia grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts, but has traveled
and lived all around the country. Her numerous accomplishments
include runningher own ridingschool andcamps inNewHampshire;
managing and training at Princess Anne Farms in Virginia Beach,
Virginia; being secretary to the Pennsylvania Jumper Association,
treasurer for the New Hampshire horse council, and co-committee
chairperson for the New Hampshire Hunter Jumper Association
(NHHJA) Medal Finals and Hunter Invitational horse show. She
also earned her colors and led second flight as field master for
the Wentworth Hunt Club. To top it all off, she has achieved a
Level Two riding instructor certification with the American Riding
Instructor’s Association. However, her accomplishments go much
deeper on a personal level.
“I believe it’s important to give back,” said Cynthia, and she
has done just that. She and her husband have given a home to
many foster children, teaching them through the love of ponies
and puppies. Whether it’s helping a foster child cope with meeting
their father for the first time, or just helping them improve their
grades from failing to all As, Cynthia reflects, “Using horses to
heal people can be very therapeutic.” Although she now travels
too much to have foster children, she’s on the Board of Advisers
for a Christ Central Mission called God it Made Ranch in Cope,
South Carolina.
Before becoming the National Account Manager for GGT
Footing™, Cynthia worked for
Sidelines
for two and a half
years, and she also worked for Phelps Media Group. Prior to
dedicating her personal and career life to horse-related jobs, she
spent 15 years in corporate America selling technology equipment
to hospitals, lawyers and the U.S. Government.
Since working for GGT, the company has seen approximately
20–40 percent growth each year. Cynthia covers the East and
West coasts and handles everything from advertising to press
releases. GGT sponsors 13 Grand Prix in California alone through
West Palm Event Management.
Cynthia’s goal is to continue educating equestrians about
the benefit of good footing. She would also like to take the time
to balance work with her own personal life, including time in the
saddle. Cynthia admits that this is a challenge she’s still working
on!
About the Writer: Kathryn Murphy recently graduated from USC
Aiken with a bachelor of arts degree in communications. She is
currently pursuing her dream of becoming a journalist.
e
Cynthia Brewster-Keating:
Balancing Life and Horses
Cynthia Brewster-Keating
and Blind Date
