Skip to content

UVM Valcour Inducted Into The CT Morgan Hall Of Fame



 

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -The Connecticut Morgan Hall of Fame welcomed its 20th member on Friday, June 9, 2006. The grand gelding UVM Valcour joined the elite group in a ceremony held during Friday evening's championship session.

UVM Valcour and trainer Chris Cassenti put on a crowd-pleasing show under saddle followed by a presentation of honors. Valcour and owners Chris and Rob McDermott then led their wonderful ambassador to the Morgan breed around the ring to the delight of his legion of fans. Valcour, the McDermotts and everyone at Chrislar Farm joined together for this memorable performance as well as a party in honor of UVM Valcour at the conclusion of Friday night's classes.

The following speech was read by Kevin Solimine during the induction ceremony;

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the 2006 Connecticut Morgan Hall Of Fame Presentation.

“It is a great honor for us to be here tonight to celebrate the induction of UVM Valcour into the Connecticut Morgan Horse Hall Of Fame. Let us all join in welcoming UVM Valcour!

“In 1993, Chris McDermott decided she wanted a Morgan as her trail horse and the search began. Her brother, a graduate of the University of Vermont, referred them to the UVM Morgan Horse Farm. Chris and husband Rob viewed several prospects and chose UVM Valcour; or rather he chose them! There was a special bond the first time they saw this handsome three-year-old by UVM Elite. Valcour let them know right away that they should take him home. Chris and Rob remember Steve Davis saying, ‘You know he might just make a good show horse.’ Well, he was right!

“Valcour’s training continued at Chrislar Farm with Chris and Rob spending every free minute at Chrislar watching his progress; people thought they lived there. Under the direction of Chrislar Farm staff, it was apparent that they had made a great find.

“Chrislar Farm owners Chris and Larry Cassenti introduced the McDermotts to the world of Morgans and the horse show circuit. As a five-year-old, Valcour won his first world championship in Open Hunter Pleasure with Chris Cassenti and a reserve world championship that same year in Junior Exhibitor Hunter Pleasure with 13-year-old Candice Toleos. Within two years, Valcour won A-rated, regional, national and world championships with his three girls.

“During his show career, he won more than 50 championships in open, amateur and junior exhibitor classes including hunter pleasure, classic pleasure saddle and driving and western pleasure, once again demonstrating the diversification of our great Morgan breed. He was presented with People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice awards, USEF year end awards, appeared in horse insurance ads in all-breed publications, made a guest appearance on the History Channel, and has been on the cover of three major equine publications. As a true ambassador of the Morgan breed, Valcour was the ‘guest of honor’ at the annual Breyer Brunch and has even had his own Peter Stone Limited Edition model released in 1997.

“Valcour now resides at ASCO Farms in Chatham, N.Y., only minutes away from Chris and Rob’s new home in W. Stockbridge, Mass. He and Chris continue to enjoy that ‘once in a lifetime’ bond between horse and human. They are seen trail riding through the hills of New York and last year in Acadia National Park. Occasionally, Valcour makes a special public appearance to continue to promote the Morgan breed such as the 50th anniversary of the UVM Morgan Horse Farm.

“Chris, Rob and the Chrislar Farm family have been extremely fortunate to have this magnificent horse in their lives.

“The McDermotts wish to invite everyone to a celebration reception to meet Valcour after the last class this evening.”

More Stories

  • UPHA Office Moving

    UPHA is relocating to a new address. Kindly update your records with our new location. The postal address is P.O. Box 3728, Midway, KY 40347 and the physical address is 123 East Main St, Midway, KY 40347. Read More
  • From the Desk of Edward R. “Hoppy” Bennett

    Dear Members of The American Saddlebred Community, 

    As predicted, we have received pushback from various members of the Saddlebred industry, namely the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association (ASHBA).  When we made our decision to replace the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) with Equine Sports Council (ESC), we were aware of and discussed this pushback and moved forward with the changes, knowingly.

    Read More
  • River Ridge Is USEF Lite Rated

    Barbara Dunham, manager of the River Ridge Charity Horse Show, announced that the show has been granted USEF Lite status for its April 24-27 event at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ohio. Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    In response to recent developments surrounding the World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS), the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated webpage to serve as a news hub for its members. This webpage will provide timely updates and information as the situation evolves. Read More
  • Morgan Grand National Update On New Coliseum

    The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show is one step closer to the beginning of a new era as progress on the new state-of-the-art coliseum in Oklahoma City continues on schedule. Read More
  • Update On Citrus Cup Regional - New Venue and Dates For 2024

    Join in for fun in the sun at Citrus Cup at its new location, the fabulous World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, on April 24-27, 2024. Fay Lowry will be judging all main ring classes. The new revised class schedule includes classes for Morgans, Saddlebreds, Hackney, Harness Pony, Open breed, carriage, ranch riding, and dressage divisions. Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    Many of you received an email today from David Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues, that indicates a decision has already been made by the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) to change the governance of the World's Championship Horse Show from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).  Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is extending the National and National Amateur Futurity weanling nomination deadline until May 1, 2024... Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) has given the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) notice to terminate its 1995 agreement with the KSFB to provide support to the World’s Championship Horse Show (WCHS). The termination notice was hand delivered to the KSFB on Friday, March 15. Read More
  • FoalsNFocus – Week 1

    Here we are again, springtime. With the warmer temperatures and the greening of the landscape comes one of the most exhilarating times of the year for horsemen and women, foaling season! Hopes and dreams literally come to life. Read More