The story starts with Indira Van Handel seated between Stu Vesty and Kevin Price at the Minnesota Fall Fest stallion auction. Indira and her husband Mike had long dreamed of starting their own breeding program. She knew of Mike’s specific interest in KM Bugatti, so when his bid came up and with the help of “faith, trust, and a little [friendly urge from her neighbors]” she raised her paddle. They eventually tracked down the perfect mare (Aristokayte); then, Kayde VH – and their breeding program – were born.
“When that heart is combined with his structure, size, and athleticism it was easy to see that he was special from the start,” Mike Van Handel shared about the newly named 2024 PB Hunter Pleasure Jr. Horse US National Champion. He credited Jeff Schall (with whom Kayde won the yearling colt US National title with in 2020) and JT Keller (who started Kayde with a wonderful foundation and introduction to the show ring). After recognizing those individuals and accomplishments he states, “then Stephanie [Sage] took all that groundwork and ran with it right into the winner’s circle.”
Excitement, pride, and joy fills Stephanie Sage as she remembers her victory with Kayde VH at the most recent US Nationals. The duo has been perfecting their partnership for just over one year. Sage says she wanted the foundation of their dynamic to be trust – making Kayde’s preparation very routine and saying her consistency allowed Kayde to rely on her and what she would ask of him.
“It is hard to even put into words what I feel when he goes through the gate” she explained about the experience of showing Kayde. “It is like I am just along for the ride. He is there for me every single step of the way, giving two hundred percent.”
She added she felt a “rush of pride” for herself, Kayde, Diane Athey (Kayde’s owner), and “everyone else who has been part of his journey” when they were named national champions during the Wednesday afternoon session. Sage’s emphasis of this feeling reiterates that nobody reaches success alone, and that it is more fulfilling to share these victories with others. She wants to specially thank Andres Ramirez and Paul Rodriguez for being by her side through this journey for almost 10 years.
Athey also talked about how grateful she was for Kayde’s community when reflecting on the recent victory. “Everyone who has been part of Kayde’s journey, namely Mike and Indira Van Handel, Jeff Schall, JT Keller, Grant Krohn, Kim Morgan, Brandy Phillips and of course Stephanie Sage and Sue Graham, have been integral to his success. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Kayde is marked as special by everyone who talks about him. And every person adds something about his heart and desire to please his people. Diane Athey, Kayde’s owner wraps it up nicely by saying, “he has it all. He is special in every way.”
Athey is excited to start sharing in Kayde’s journey in other ways as his junior horse years come to an end. She will start showing the impressive, kind, gentle stallion. She – along with others – including the Van Handels, have begun Kayde’s breeding career. The Van Handels already have two babies on the ground. And Diane has one on the way.
Clearly Mike and Indira created a great horse in Kayde, so their perspective when it comes to his breeding potential is valuable. “He has brought so much correct structure, size, athleticism, and quality to the table,” Mike shared. “When you back that up with generations of great breeding horses, it is easy to see that Kayde was bred to breed on.”
Although Kayde is already a decorated competitor, in so many ways “the party is just getting started.” And as time continues to pass, more and more people will be grateful that Indira sat between Stu and Kevin at Fall Fest that year.
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