By Britney Grover
Vicky Castegren learned to ride and care for horses over the course of summers spent at Camp Farwell in Vermont from the time she was 9 years old. She expanded her knowledge and experience at Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Massachusetts, where she dabbled in equitation and eventing but ultimately used her rounded experience to focus on show jumping. “I also had a Swedish connection through my parents where I was able to spend two summers riding and learning,” Vicky said. “That solidified my desire to keep going with the sport as a rider.”
Little did Vicky know that she would become a driving force in the equestrian sport world, accomplishing several “firsts” as an American and a woman—not as a rider, but as an owner and breeder. Vicky’s Hyperion Stud in Barboursville, Virginia, has had two horses make Olympic teams in different disciplines—Imothep for Rio 2016 in show jumping, and Off The Record with Hyperion eventing rider Will Coleman for Paris last year—as well as producing approved stallions, elite mares and champion foals for eventing, dressage and show jumping alike. “My passion for this industry was ignited long before the idea of Hyperion Stud was conceived,” Vicky said, “and through all my experiences, this was a business model that fit into my personality and love for horses.”
How did you get started in breeding?
I had been showing for many years and I found myself at a life crossroads. Coming out of college with a business degree while riding concurrently, I was in a position to pursue a place in the equestrian industry. I started my first business as Winterhaven Stables. There, in my own space, I could continue to train as a show jumping rider while building a business for sales as well. Deep down, I always was curious about the world of breeding and kept that notion as a hobby that I could eventually pursue. That hobby then became more serious when I found myself with four pregnant mares—and having a child of my own. Having my first child forced me, in many ways, to put both feet on the ground and do some soul searching. Through the relationships I had built over the years, I steered a new path towards breeding and development of sport horses even though I was not necessarily the one riding them. I landed on the farm where we are now via snowball effect and have built our current business as Hyperion Stud over the last 17 years. It began with four breeding mares and an empty stallion barn that needed to be used, so in 2008 I bought my first stallion, Imothep.
What do you love about breeding?
A fresh start; the challenge of looking years ahead in order to create the horses needed not only in sport but for continuous breeding. I also love connecting with other breeders, whether at home in the U.S. or abroad, connecting generations of knowledge so we can continue. I love examining the foals each year, watching them grow and managing their education. I also love the family that has been built around it,
with the staff and business partners I have been fortunate enough to be connected with.
What great stallions have been a part of your program?
I purchased Imothep when he was 6, and still today at 21 he’s the greatest experience and relationship I could ever have with a horse. He’s taught me a tremendous amount through his job as a breeding stallion and sport horse. He is the lightning rod of Hyperion Stud. A horse like that is the reason why so many of us do it: It’s that one special horse that gives us so much but asks nothing in return except to be respected, loved and cared for. Since Imothep, there have been others that fill a role in breeding, sport or both, though in most recent years I have bred my own approved stallions. Most notably, Urthago (v. Uriko/ My
Lord Carthago/ Casall/ Carthago stamm 474a) was approved at the Holsteiner stallion approvals in Neumünster in 2019. After many stallion submissions, I finally got it done! He is now 8 years old and breeding offspring of top quality with sons now heading off to approval selections. He is also currently competing with Alex Liebe, and most recently we had his full brother, Urthago II, approved and pass his licensing with the Mecklenburg studbook.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do?
It’s an ever-changing tide. The lack of guarantees drives me each day and year to improve upon what I do. The lows can be low and the highs are motivating, but it’s the in-between that forces me into facing real challenges as a business striving for success. To be deeply in it, knowing that the horses I produce keep the market engine turning, is most exciting. Without the breeder, there are no horses for the sport or future. So I, like all breeders, am an essential element to what we all are fortunate enough to call our job or career.
Captured at Dixon on 18 6, 2022 by Bethany P Photography
What are your goals for the future of your farm and horses?
I’m not sure what my specific goals are, but I know that I want to keep improving my production: to keep elevating the quality of the horses and not sacrifice that for quantity. I have my family to consider as well, and make sure my path aligns with theirs. I’m building a legacy for my family, not a “once upon a time” scenario.
What’s the best thing about your life and work right now?
It’s unique and boutique in many ways. It’s not a big industry compared to perhaps the corporate world. It’s different; it’s a sport-driven commodity. Also, after all these years of hard work, I get to step aside and do less micromanaging and more leading, offering a place for others to learn, develop and find security. I get to be an active and influential mother to my children while working with horses and people who share my passion. It’s a pretty sweet deal.
What’s the best-kept secret about what you do?
I’m not alone in all of this. I have a village of people around me who share a commonality without greed or need for status. I surround myself with true horse people: There is no personal gain, but instead collective achievements. We don’t shine the light on our singular success in order to gain notoriety for oneself, but we share in the whole experience as a team. This is my secret to success.
For more information, visit hyperionstud.com, Hyperion Stud on Facebook or Instagram @hyperion_stud
