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Waterfront, Jan's former three-star event horse, has recently passed on. Owned by veterinarian and amateur eventer Keelin Redmond since he retired from upper level competition, Waterfront was 22 years old.
Always the bridesmaid, rarely the bride, Waterfront was extremely consistent, notably placing second a number of times: at Advanced at Richland and Pinetop, at the Jersey Fresh CCI3* (qualifying him for the 2006 WEG), at the 2007 World Cup CIC3*W at The Fork, at the Fair Hill International CCI3*, and at the Foxhall Cup CCI3* and the Virginia Horse Trials CCI2* (leading to his selection to the U.S. Equestrian Federation's "Talent Tour" team that competed at Luhmuhlen, Germany).
Jan remembers Waterfront as one of her favorites: "He always showed up to work, and though not the biggest mover or bravest horse, anyone could ride him and he was incredibly consistent. He was never really confirmed at the four-star level although he made several attempts with me, with two run-outs at both. Phillip Dutton rode Waterfront at Kentucky for me in 2010 after I was hurt in my fall, where he also had two run-outs and then was held on course. Phillip infamously used the break to borrow a cell phone from a spectator, and called Evie to get her to ask me if I wanted him to continue. My answer was no, and I retired Waterfront from the upper levels and then he found his home with Keelin."
Always the bridesmaid, rarely the bride, Waterfront was extremely consistent, notably placing second a number of times: at Advanced at Richland and Pinetop, at the Jersey Fresh CCI3* (qualifying him for the 2006 WEG), at the 2007 World Cup CIC3*W at The Fork, at the Fair Hill International CCI3*, and at the Foxhall Cup CCI3* and the Virginia Horse Trials CCI2* (leading to his selection to the U.S. Equestrian Federation's "Talent Tour" team that competed at Luhmuhlen, Germany).
Jan remembers Waterfront as one of her favorites: "He always showed up to work, and though not the biggest mover or bravest horse, anyone could ride him and he was incredibly consistent. He was never really confirmed at the four-star level although he made several attempts with me, with two run-outs at both. Phillip Dutton rode Waterfront at Kentucky for me in 2010 after I was hurt in my fall, where he also had two run-outs and then was held on course. Phillip infamously used the break to borrow a cell phone from a spectator, and called Evie to get her to ask me if I wanted him to continue. My answer was no, and I retired Waterfront from the upper levels and then he found his home with Keelin."
From Keelin: "This is one of my favorite pictures of Waterfront because it so shows who he was: super alert facial expression, mad red hair flying, out to show off and have fun.
Waterfront taught me so much, and took me places I didn’t think I would ever go. Riding him was like taking a riding lesson; he knew what correct was, and he rewarded it, but he tolerated incorrectness with patience and heart.
Even if I had never ridden him I would have loved him. He was a wonderful friend. He had a huge personality. Tukie was ambivalent about other horses, but he loved people. He was so happy in the company of humans; he liked to eat our food (all of it, anything), hang out, go places with just me. He demanded treats and attention loudly and passionately; everyone knew what Tukie was feeling all of the time. He loved to go to horse shows; he had my undivided attention for a weekend and a whole new audience to admire him. He loved to finish up a show jumping round with a bit of “dolphining”; he would drop his head and sort of crow-hop along for a few strides. The more people would gasp, the better he liked it. He was always very, very careful not to unseat me. We always said he was saying: “it’s for the fans, mom! I’ve got to give them a little something!” He did it at home a bit too; whenever he thought he had jumped well. I remember he did it the very first time I ever jumped him. Jan laughed and told me that if I would rub his mane, he would get even happier and do it even more. So I always did!
I miss him terribly. Think of the most funny, brilliant, loyal, fiery friend you have. That’s who he was to me."
Waterfront taught me so much, and took me places I didn’t think I would ever go. Riding him was like taking a riding lesson; he knew what correct was, and he rewarded it, but he tolerated incorrectness with patience and heart.
Even if I had never ridden him I would have loved him. He was a wonderful friend. He had a huge personality. Tukie was ambivalent about other horses, but he loved people. He was so happy in the company of humans; he liked to eat our food (all of it, anything), hang out, go places with just me. He demanded treats and attention loudly and passionately; everyone knew what Tukie was feeling all of the time. He loved to go to horse shows; he had my undivided attention for a weekend and a whole new audience to admire him. He loved to finish up a show jumping round with a bit of “dolphining”; he would drop his head and sort of crow-hop along for a few strides. The more people would gasp, the better he liked it. He was always very, very careful not to unseat me. We always said he was saying: “it’s for the fans, mom! I’ve got to give them a little something!” He did it at home a bit too; whenever he thought he had jumped well. I remember he did it the very first time I ever jumped him. Jan laughed and told me that if I would rub his mane, he would get even happier and do it even more. So I always did!
I miss him terribly. Think of the most funny, brilliant, loyal, fiery friend you have. That’s who he was to me."
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