Cedric, the gray gelding who jumped to a gold medal on the U.S. show jumping team at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and represented the United States at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (Ky.), has been sold to Cherry Knoll Farm of West Grove, Pa.
In mid-February, Cherry Knoll Farm owner Margaret Duprey purchased Cedric, who has been a lynchpin of the U.S. show jumping team with rider Laura Kraut. Peter Wetherill had owned Cedric under his Happy Hill Farm name throughout his career with Kraut, and after Wetherill’s death in February of 2010, his family continued Cedric’s ownership under Happy Hill Farm.
In 2011, Cedric won the $150,000 Spy Coast Farm Grand Prix CSI-W and the $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (Fla.).
“[The Wetherills] decided last fall that they would in fact sell him. I think they’re focusing on other things in their lives right now,” Kraut said. “I marketed him for sale, but nobody stepped up and wanted him. I think they thought, and honestly, I believed, too, that a buyer would come from Europe or the Middle East for the Olympic Games, but no one materialized. I told them that once [the deadline for ownership for the 2012 London Olympic Games of] Dec. 31 came and went, he probably wouldn’t be sold. So, at that point, the Wetherills said, ‘OK, we’ll start gearing toward London.’ They’ve always remained very supportive.”
Then Duprey expressed interest in buying Cedric in February. “Margaret was a very close friend of Peter Wetherill, and she basically said she wanted to be like Peter was, a quiet supporter. She’s a horseperson, and she is looking forward to enjoying watching Cedric; he’s the first big show jumper she’s ever owned. It was a win-win for everyone,” said Kraut.
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Cherry Knoll Farm is a nationally known producer of top Angus cattle. Duprey, a lifelong horsewoman who shows in dressage, also owns Otto, a Grand Prix dressage horse ridden by Todd Flettrich. Otto and Flettrich competed on the U.S. team at the 2010 WEG.
In his first two classes under Cherry Knoll Farm ownership, Cedric was second in the $150,000 WEF 8 Grand Prix on March 4 and seventh in the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 8 on March 1 at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. “Hopefully, we’re off to a good start. I’m a very lucky person!” Kraut said.
