My Cousin Vinnie: Page 2

Throughout the next six years, Sean and Vinnie were to compete in Three Day Events all over the country gaining momentum in experience and laurels like a rolling snowball. Vinnie loved his job and the crowds that cheered him on. His favorite time was the ribbon ceremonies. With his head held high, ears pricked forward and eyes large and shining, he almost couldn’t contain himself, so proud was he!

During those years, Vinnie almost had his own fan club, so strong was his following of the people who had come to know and love the little Quarter Horse known as My Cousin Vinnie. What a team! The two were doing things that should have been beyond their capabilities to achieve. We were so proud of this honest and brave horse who gave his all each and every time that he competed and it was paying off.

The pair went on to be short listed for the USEA Event Team. Sean and Vinnie trained under eventing’s greatest stars such as Jim Graham, David and Karen O’Connor, Ann Weber, Pie Lafferty and attended everything given by Mark Phillips, Coach of the USEA Eventing Team.

The following comments were attributed to Sean throughout his tenure with Vinnie:

Peter Gray, Canadian Three Day Coach
“Sean is definitely one of the riding stars in the U.S. He is compassionate, dedicated, and has the talent of a winner.”

Ralph L. Hill, USEA Member
 “Sean is an exceptionally talented young man with a very promising future. His Character and maturity, beyond his years, certainly sets him apart.”

Darrin Chiacchia, USEA Member
“Sean is focused, dedicated and extremely keen and talented on each horse assigned to him. Given the support through finances, horse flesh and experience, he will un- doubtedly represent our country in future international competitions with pride.”

Sean and Vinnie went to Fox Hall which was one of the selection trials for the Sydney Olympics. The pair was four fences from the end and up on the clock when Vinnie’s body gave out and they had a disastrous fall. After four years of racing and six years of eventing, the brave little Quarter Horse needed a break. He needed to find a new career.

After a period of rest, it was decided to try Vinnie at Combined Driving. Since he’d already done it with a rider over fences, it should be easy with a carriage. He won his only Preliminary Division, but the strenuous conditioning required for the program proved to be too much for his aging body and he was retired to pasture.

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