Featured Article (April 2001)

Love is in the Air: Couple Shares Passion for Romantic Star

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains outside Barboursville is a place most equestrians would consider paradise. The impressive ironwork gates to EUROPEAN PERFORMANCE HORSES, L.L.C. swing open to reveal an idyllic setting where Rottweilers play and greet guests. It is in this elegant environment that Sarah and Gerd Reuter offer a variety of services including training, clinics, sales and breeding. From teacher and student to husband and wife, their partnership is one grounded in heartfelt devotion, straightforward communication and deep affection for their horses.

Now an American, German-born Gerd Reuter's background includes more than 30 years as both an accomplished competitor and professional trainer. As a Bereiter and Reitlehrer FN, he is certified to teach at the highest levels. A 1987 German gold winner and recipient of both the USDF silver and gold medals in 1992, Gerd is most proud of his affiliation with some of the top horses in the dressage world.

Sarah may be relatively new to the horse show world but she has achieved great success, earning the USDF silver medal in 1995 and the bronze medal in 1998. In 1999 with Mikado, Sarah was Reserve Champion nationally and Champion locally in the Fourth Level Musical Freestyle. In addition, she was Intermediaire I Champion of Virginia in 1998, 1999 and 2000 with East Boy.

He Says

Framed photos of notable champions spanning the last two decades adorn the walls of the main barn and ramp area. "I get all of my horses from my best friend Detlef Saul in Bremerhaven, Germany. He is a world class breeder and there is not one horse pictured here that is not from him," he discloses.

Since moving to Virginia, Gerd has spent a good deal of time giving clinics as far away as the West Coast. "Teaching students is very much of a challenge for me. I am not like a tennis teacher because I have both the horse and the rider to deal with. Most of the people that ride are successful and smart. So a good teacher has to be part psychiatrist," claims Gerd. The number of requests for clinics has increased in part because more people are embracing the concept that dressage is the base for all types of riding. He adds, "I teach clinics from Training level to Grand Prix. I appreciate when a person comes up after the lesson and says it helped. See, that's my job."

She Says

Sarah's life-long love of horses started at a very young age. After leaving England when she was five, the Evans family moved to Belgium for the next three years and then on to Monte Carlo. Because the tiny Principality of Monaco occupies less than two square miles, owning horses was not an option.

"I had always dreamed of galloping over vast open spaces. On holidays we would go trail riding. When I was 17-years-old, I had the opportunity to foxhunt in England with my cousin," shares Sarah. Unfortunately tragedy struck on a subsequent hunt when Sarah's hired mount flipped over a jump and landed on her. She doesn't remember much else other than waking up in a hospital with a cracked neck, broken back and broken nose. Bedridden for three months, Sarah took a break from horses until after she completed her undergraduate degree at Trinity College in Connecticut. Despite the long recovery from the accident and the firm decision not to jump again, Sarah's commitment to horses did not diminish -- it just changed direction.

A Winning Team

The soothing sounds of Enya fill the palatial indoor arena. Lining the walls are cases displaying a treasure trove of ribbons and award coolers from prestigious competitions both here and around the world. An enclosed grandstand seating sixty is situated directly below a massive United States flag flanked by smaller ones representing France, Monaco, Great Britain, Russia and Switzerland.

In the U.S., dressage training is steadily gaining in popularity as other equestrian disciplines realize the benefits and applicability. Accomplished Grand Prix jumper rider Robin Sweely of Acorn Hill Farm in Madison, Virginia says, "Gerd and Sarah are genuine people who really care about the well-being of their horses. In addition to finding me good horses in Germany, Gerd has been instrumental in helping with my flat work, which in turn allows my horses to perform better over fences. He has taught me how to get my horses round and balanced by using their whole bodies. They become better broke on the flat and much more in-tune with my signals and therefore more adjustable to ride."

From the moment Sarah starts to work Catouche, a powerful looking 16.3 hand bay Holsteiner, there is no doubt that this delicate looking rider is in command. Gerd watches his student, business partner and wife as she exercises the 14-year-old horse, one of the veterans in the group of talented equine athletes. "This is the horse I love the most. Not only is Catouche flashy and pretty, he is a challenging ride. He can be naughty and full of fun and that's what makes him so special," Gerd confides. After accumulating numerous awards with Gerd including Grand Prix 13th place nationally in 1999, Grand Prix 3rd place for Virginia and Grand Prix Reserve Champion locally in 2000, this year Sarah will have the ride as she makes her debut at the Grand Prix level.

One of several impressive Russian horses in the stable is 16-year-old Flaneur, nicknamed "Grumpy." At 17 hands, he is all business in the show ring, earning Performance Awards from Prix St. George through Grand Prix with Gerd over the last few years. In the Virginia Championships last year, Flaneur was State Grand Prix Reserve Champion and Local Grand Prix Champion. Gerd boasts, "He loves to test people and together we just fly." Glowingly Sarah recalls, "One time at a competition, Gerd attired in top hat and tails, sailed by a little boy who called out: Look there goes the President!"

The horses are tended to by Barn Manager Jen Hatch of Annapolis, Maryland or by one of the working students who come here for one year. The current crop of students represent Switzerland, Sweden, Australia and Germany. The comprehensive program covers the full spectrum of equine proficiency ranging from the daily routine of caring for the horses to the rigorous preparation necessary for actual competition. The focus is on the European tradition and the importance of teamwork is emphasized. As the students untack each horse and settle them in for the afternoon, horse treats are handed out as a reward for a good schooling session. Gerd jokes, "They know I am their Cookie Daddy."

Romantic Star

The breeding aspect is new to us, as we did not intend to get into this side of the business. But things changed when we saw Romantic Star on a trip to Germany in October," said Gerd. A 1995 Hanoverian Elite (License Class I) stallion, "The King" as he is called, rules the roost.

Romantic Star comes from a long line of champions. His sire Ramiro's Son II (License Class I Holsteiner by Ramiro) is currently competing as a Grand Prix jumper. His dam is Pirola by Pinkus, a License Class I Hanoverian by Pandur. The past few years have been busy for Romantic Star as he leads a double life. Aside from competing in dressage and show jumping, his other career as a breeding stallion in Germany produced 75 foals in 2000 with another 74 expected this spring.

While being groomed and tacked up, a coiled lead rope hangs from Romantic Star's halter. He flips it, swings it and twirls it around nonstop, channeling his youthful energy until the workout begins. Considered a light horse at 17 hands, Romantic Star is quick to remind everyone that he is confident and powerful. While on the lunge line, he shows enthusiasm for the task and then as fast and sudden as lightning, BOOM he lets out a playful buck. But once Sarah is up and on, the picture is one of pure harmony.

"The combination of Sarah and this horse is a beautiful one. It is so breathtaking that I get goose bumps. Throughout history we have seen examples of the special chemistry between a woman rider and a stallion. Not only Michelle Gibson and Peron, but Rosemarie Springer had tremendous success with her stallions over the years," divulges Gerd as he holds his hat over his heart displaying respect for his mentor and close friend. "I learned everything from Rosemarie, a German dressage rider at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. During 13 consecutive years she won six gold medals, three silver medals and three bronze medals in the German Championships. We are looking forward to showing Rosemarie our new breeding shed when she travels from Hambourg to visit us in May," he adds.

"When Sarah and I decide to do something, we do it right," declares Gerd as he shows off the structure they refer to as "The Love Shack." A fully equipped laboratory adjoins the rubberized brick covered floor of the large room, which will be the scene of a lot of action. Later this year two additional two stallions will be joining Romantic Star in the breeding program.

Married Life

"In August Gerd and I were married here in the outdoor dressage ring and no, we were not on horses at the time. The big surprise came when our dogs got loose. There was little I could do when they decided to walk me down the aisle," beams Sarah. Of married life she says, "I love to clean, both the barn and the house." To which he quips, "And I love to cook and shop." Sarah and Gerd Reuter are true partners in every respect.

Lisa B. Friel is a freelance writer and photographer based in Alexandria, Virginia.