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c h r o n o f h o r s e . c o m ja n ua r y/ f e b r ua r y 2 015 59 Sara lIeSer PHoTo international competition for the united states, while also becoming members of a community." loyalty was a hallmark of those involved with the uset. Chapot, who became captain of the jumping team after steinkraus retired in 1972, explained his dedication this way: "e team kind of made me, and i had to give something back." And the expectation was that it needed to be done with grace and style, as well as athletic prowess. "You were expected to represent the team as a gentleman, to meet a cer- tain standard. Bert used to give lessons in manners when the team first came to europe," steinkraus said. "it was a great privilege to represent your country in europe at that time." Adapting To Changing Times A big change for the uset came in 1978, when Beneficial Corp. bought 547 acres of hamilton farm as well as another 300 acres in peapack owned by the Brady family. finn Caspersen, Beneficial's Ceo, was a driving aficionado who was chosen as the uset's president in 1990. under his direction, the gladstone Young rider Brandi roenick spends some quiet time with the legendary ravel after his win with Steffen Peters in the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival Of Champions Grand Prix Championship at Gladstone. The barn's original polished brass finials, herringbone-pattern terrazzo brick floors and 54 varnished hardwood stalls are kept in pristine condition, and each stall is named for a famous U.S. team horse (the plaque on this one honors Guenter Seidel's mount Graf George).

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