Eschaton and Casey Eiten: The Journey From Yearling to Grand Prix - News
Casey Eiten (née Blum) was just 15 years old when she first saw Eschaton (Sir Sinclair, Keur x Melisande, by Carpaccio) as a dark chocolate brown yearling in 2010.
“At that time I had big plans for him to be my Grand Prix horse,” she said. “It wasn't until I got older that I realized what a hard task that was going to be, but I always dreamed of it.”
Dreams did come true for Casey and Eschaton. The pair rose from Training Level through FEI, earning regional and national titles along the way. Among the accolades: Six USDF All Breeds (KWPN-NA) Championships and Reserves from Second Level to FEI, four GAIG/USDF Regional Championships, including the Region 4 Intermediate II AA Championships in 2023, USDF Third Level AA Horse of the Year in 2018 and the Second Level AA Championships at the US Dressage Finals in 2017. Earlier this year, they made their Grand Prix debut.
Fresh from earning the final score for their USDF Gold Medal, Casey, of Ladd, IL, shared their incredible journey.
What's it like to work with Eschaton through the years from Training Level to Grand Prix?
Eschaton and I have a pretty special bond since I have been working with him for the past 13 years. I will never forget the first time I cantered on him. I felt like I was flying. He has always had big, powerful gaits, even as a young horse, and as we've moved up the levels it has been exciting to develop that power into a more collected way of going. He and I learned a lot of things for the first time together and I wouldn't change how we both grew up learning together.
Will you share a bit about the journey from Prix St. Georges and Intermediate I to Intermediate II (I-2) and Grand Prix?
Eschaton has a natural talent for the piaffe and passage, so the jump to I-2 and Grand Prix has been quite fun. We showed I-2 for the first time at the beginning of this show season and I didn't imagine we would show Grand Prix for another year or two. The work progressed really nicely over the summer and he showed us he was ready for Grand Prix.
As he keeps getting stronger behind, he's able to get a little more loft and cadence. It's an unexplainable feeling riding the passage on him. We keep unlocking "new gears" in him. It’s so fun to watch his training progress.
How did you know he was the one as a young horse?
I guess the simple answer is that I didn't. He was the first baby we purchased and so we relied on my trainer at the time for advice. He was bred by Mike and Linda Smith at Providence Farm in Palmyra, NE. We didn't even know Eschaton was going to be gray when he grew up until his first vet check, which was pretty shocking news to us! Now, looking back I certainly wouldn't trade buying him as a yearling for anything. I still don't know how I got so lucky to have him in my life.
What's his daily routine like?
He lives at StarWest, owned by Kate Fleming-Kuhn and Martin Kuhn. His routine is thought out to keep him moving as much as we can. I am only able to ride twice per week, so most days for him involve getting on the treadmill, schooling with my trainer, Martin Kuhn, and getting turned out on pasture. He loves going on a hack after his lessons. He also loves getting acupuncture and will doze off during his sessions.
What is your life like outside of horses?
Outside of the horse barn, my husband, Lyle, and I farm and own a business selling seed corn and soybeans. I also work as an equine feed sales rep for a local feed company. We love spending time outdoors with our dog, Stetson. Most of the time, if I'm not at the barn, I'm thinking about the next time I'm going to the barn!
[To make all of this work] I would like to thank our trainer, Martin Kuhn, for all the hours spent in and out of the saddle working for us to get here. It would not be possible without all the early mornings, lessons that went over time or squeezing me into an already full day. His hard work, dedication and care for Eschaton is so appreciated.
What's the biggest thing you've learned on this journey?
I think the biggest thing we have learned is to enjoy the level you are showing. It's easy to be in a race to get to the next level, but each one has important fundamentals and building blocks for the next level. There has been more than one year that we didn't move up a level because we weren't quite ready. Those second years showing a certain level were some of the most fun because we became really confirmed in those movements and it reflected in our scores.
What’s next for the two of you?
Right now Eschaton is getting some well-deserved TLC. I couldn't be more excited to go out next year and improve on our [Grand Prix] scores. That is the best part about dressage, you never stop learning. Next year, we hope to show a Grand Prix Freestyle and that is something I am really looking forward to.
Learn more about Eschaton’s sire, Sir Sinclair here.
Photo of Eschaton by John Borys Photography.