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Monday, January 19 2015 / Published in Sidelines Feature

A Fairytale Beginning: Imothep and Darragh Kenny Achieve International Success

Darragh and Imothep competing at the 2014 Alltech World Equestrian Games Photo by SportFot

Darragh and Imothep competing at the 2014 Alltech World Equestrian Games
Photo by SportFot

By Dani Moritz Long

He’s got power, speed and scope. And a little bit of attitude — which is clear to anyone who watches him artfully execute forward-leaping bucks through complicated show jumping courses.

But don’t let him fool you. And don’t worry, the bucking isn’t a problematic vice for Irish rider Darragh Kenny — it simply means that the 16.3-hand bay stallion Imothep (Indoctro x Calvados x Dominard) has his game face on.

An Overnight Success

The Hyperion stallion has quickly risen through the ranks — becoming a horse to watch on the international scene. With less than a year together, this horse and rider team has enjoyed a meteoric rise.

According to owner Vicky Castegren, heads really started to turn when the talented duo came out of the woodwork to conquer the Nation’s Cup at Aachen, with one rail down in the first round and a clear round in the second. Continuing with their success, the team had brilliant rides at the Nation’s Cup at Hickstead and Dublin — with only two rails down total in the three Nation’s Cup events.

The 11-year-old son of Indoctro quickly proved he was a force to be reckoned with — especially with Darragh on his back. People were beginning to see what Vicky had known all along: This horse has talent. “He put himself on the world stage,” she said. “We’re supporting him, but he did it himself.”

After Hickstead, his Hyperion Stud family knew they had a shot at the 2014 Alltech Word Equestrian Games — something Vicky hadn’t dreamed was possible to achieve in such a short amount of time.

“We knew it was a championship year,” she said. “We pretty much thought that ship had sailed. And then when Darragh got on him, we had to have a period of building and them getting to know each other. Did we think the relationship would blossom? Yes. Did we think it would blossom this fast? Heck no!”

But the relationship did blossom quickly and, before they knew it, Imothep and Darragh were headed to the World Equestrian Games, ultimately finishing 12th individually and helping Ireland secure a seventh place finish overall.

His fans couldn’t believe it.

The Face of Hyperion Stud: Imothep Photo by Brant Gamma Photography

The Face of Hyperion Stud: Imothep
Photo by Brant Gamma Photography

An Unlikely Sweetheart

 With all the power behind this stallion, you’d think he might be a handful. But according to Vicky, his biggest fan, Imothep is really just a sweetheart.

“He has his quirks when you’re grooming him, but he’s very sweet in the stall,” she said. “You can hug on him. You can kiss him. My 4-year-old daughter likes to snuggle on him. He’s really, really sweet.”

At the same time, he seems to know that he’s quite the champion. “He knows he’s the king of the barn,” laughed Vicky. “He’s laid back, but when he comes out of the stall, he’s ready to work.”

In addition to making it clear to his two-legged friends that he’s all that with his jaw-dropping style, Imothep also ensures the horses around him know his status as king of the barn. “When a new horse comes in next to him, he’s like, ‘Who are you and why are you in my stable?’” Vicky chuckled.

But king or not, Vicky makes sure he has time to be a horse — which means that when he’s not racking up ribbons, he’s out in the pasture looking like a pig. “He rolls right in the mud and he has it in his ears and his eyelids and that’s fine with us,” Vicky said.

What he’s not doing is jumping over the pasture fences, because after several stunts involving an energetic stallion and an inviting fence line, Vicky had to install an electric wire three feet above the top board.

Gustav HS, born 2011   Photo courtesy of Hyperion Stud

Gustav HS, born 2011
Photo courtesy of Hyperion Stud

One Hot Stud

Vicky says that so far Imothep seems to be passing his even temperament and athletic ability to his progeny.

“He’s passing all the temperament and the willingness to work,” Vicky explained, “and he puts a really solid hind end to his foals and he offers that signature power to his offspring. He’s been great at producing foals who have championships at their inspections.”

Already, he has produced a champion colt in Germany and two others in the United States. His 2011 colt Gustav HS earned a high score of 86 at his foal inspection with the BWP, tying him for first place with three other colts in North America. His 2012 colt, Hero, was Site Champion for Young Jumpers and Jumper Foals at his KWPN inspection and was Reserve Champion in North America.

As his foals begin to age into their careers as sport horses, Vicky eagerly anticipates following their successes.

Hero, born 2012  Photo by Stacy Lynne

Hero, born 2012
Photo by Stacy Lynne

A Special Connection

For Vicky and her family, Imothep is a bit of a fairytale. As her first stallion, he’s the face behind Hyperion Stud. And rightfully so.

“He’s the reason why we’re doing what we’re doing,” she said. “He’s the reason why we’re breeding, why we have a stallion roster, why we stand and manage stallions. Without him, we’d just be another breeding farm with our own mares.”

Inspired by her success with Imothep, Vicky has established a business in which she can help other stallion owners explore breeding opportunities. “There are a lot of great stallions here in North America — especially in sport. But you have owners who are interested in the breeding part because they recognize they have a good horse, but either don’t want to or don’t know how to get involved. That’s why I’m here, because I can help those people.”

Hyperion Stud now claims 20 stallions for their 2015 stallion roster, with breeding opportunities available in the U.S., Holland and Germany. And Vicky says she has her own personal fairytale with Imothep to thank for it.

And this is only the beginning of Imothep’s story…

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Tagged under: dani moritz-long, darragh kenny, Hyperion Stud, Imothep, sidelines-magazine, Vicky Castegren

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❗️George Williams column❗️ The FEI World ❗️George Williams column❗️
The FEI World Cup Final in Omaha is coming up quickly. That means that it’s starting to heat 
up as the end of the qualifying period for both the Western European League (WEL) and the 
North American League (NAL) nears. I started to write this column before the Amsterdam CDI- W, and I was using the FEI Ranking List from January 15 as a reference. As I sit down to finish 
my column, I’m now looking at the results from Amsterdam. While the list of the top contenders 
for the WEL hasn’t changed, they’re definitely moving around on the ranking list. The WEL has 
three more legs, as they’re referred to: Neumünster February 16–19, Goteborg February 23–26, 
and ’s-Hertogenbosch March 9–12, and they could change things dramatically.
Looking at the top 12 athletes from the WEL as they were ranked on January 15, there are five 
from Germany, three from the Netherlands and one each from Great Britain, Denmark

➡️Read Georges's full column by clicking the link in our bio, and never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine 🦄 

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Gre Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Ivaro N strike gold in Great American $300,000 Grand Prix at HITS Ocala!! 🏆🥇

Crowds filled the stands at the HITS Ocala Grand Prix Ring on Sunday afternoon to watch the world’s top athletes compete in the Great American $300,000 Grand Prix. The day concluded with a thrilling five-horse jump-off featuring athletes 
representing four countries. In the end, it was Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) and Ivaro N who produced the only double clear effort of the day, claiming one of the biggest wins of her career. Scott Keach (AUS) and Noble De La Chapelle earned the second-place prize with the fastest 4-fault jump-off, while Aaron Vale (USA) and Obi Wan placed third as the day’s pathfinders.

“I'm still on cloud nine, I still can't believe it – I’ve used up all my luck for the year,” smiled Goldman-Smolen after her win. “I've been knocking on the door a long time in these bigger classes. I am so proud of my horse – he gave every ounce of effort.”

Sunday’s Great American $300,000 Grand Prix marked the conclusion of the 2023 HITS Ocala circuit. HITS CCO Joe Norick concluded, “We are so excited about the new HITS, with 2023 as the launch. New footing, many new arenas here, and a lot of our facilities across America are getting a lot of love and new footing. Our partnerships with Worldly Martin and others across America including our footing leader Bart Poles overseeing our operations – it really makes a big difference for us. Today is about Ocala and these three riders sitting next to me who supported us this entire winter. We want to be a proud destination for our exhibitors and our friends. We know we have to provide them a beautiful showplace to work from that's horseman friendly, and that's our go goal. 

Congratulations to all of the riders, horses, owners, and groom who participated in this prestigious class!!! 🎉
📸 @esi_photography 
#horseshow #horses #horse #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #horselove #horsestagram #instagram #showjumping #equestrianlife #equine  #horsebackriding #dressage #horselife #pony #of #horserider #horseshoe #horsemanship #horseshowlife #riding #instahorse #horseaddict #horseofinstagram #sidelinesmagazine
It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is. It's #STUDSunday and today's featured stallion is...

 ✨PF'S DIAMO BLUE✨
Diarado-Diamant de Semilly- Chacco Blue
17.0hh, Oldenburg International Hunter Derby/ Jumper Stallion
An outstanding Pedigree- Chacco Blue and Diamant de Semilly
WBFSH/ Rolex top ranking Jumping Sires 2017 thru 2022
Standing at Ryan Pedigo Sport Horses, in California

For more information, you can contact 
🖥Ryanpedigosporthorses.com
🖥Ryan.p.f@hotmail.com
☎️(714) 357-2714

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

@ryanpedigosporthorsespf_

#stallion #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #equine #dressage #pferd #equestrianlife #mare #hengst #horseriding #instahorse #cheval #pferde #equinephotography #horselove #dressagehorse #pony #horselover #caballo #foal #quarterhorse #aqha #arabianhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses Annette Longenecker wasn’t just born into horses—in a way, she was born into her career. She grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where her parents ran a farm. Her mother taught, and her father had a jump business and then created one of the first horse show software programs: Ryegate Show Services, Inc.

Riding all her life, Annette spent many years as a groom and loved it, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do as a career. After she finished college, Annette’s father recruited her to help process entries at Ryegate. Since her father, Lloyd Longenecker, founded it in 1981, Ryegate has provided show management and office staff for some of the largest shows in the country. Now, Annette has taken over from her father and directed the company as it focuses on managing memberships and rankings for organizations such as the North American League, WIHS Championships and Equitation, Rolex/USEF Computer Ranking and National Medal Series (THIS NCM and Ariat NAM). Ryegate also provides scoring software for use with video walls, and production teams for hunter and jumper shows.

“Besides running Ryegate Show Services and its various organizations, I can be found in the show office, running a scoreboard or judging jumpers at most shows,” Annette said. “I love getting to wear a few different hats at the show.”

When she’s not busy at a show, Annette lives in Annville, Pennsylvania, with her “fur-baby,” Maggie Mae, and enjoys spending time with her many godchildren. Though she doesn’t currently own any horses, Annette rides when she can at Rolling Acres Farm with Patty Foster, Ashley Foster-Worthington and Mary Lisa Leffler.

Read this month unbridled with Annette Longenecker by clicking the link in our bio. Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 🦄
📸Photo by Sheryl Sutherby

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #horselover #instahorse #love #cheval #showjumping #horselife #photography #nature #pferde #horseofinstagram #caballo #riding #horsebackriding #pferdeliebe #caballos #horsepower #horsephotography #instagram #Sidelinesmagazine
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