2009 HHOF Inductees Robert Estill Courtney H’38 As the son of the founding treasurer at Keeneland, Robert Courtney was naturally drawn to horses and farm life as a youth. When he came to Culver, Courtney chose to spend his three summers in horsemanship instead of following his brother into the Naval School. Cameron studied agriculture at the University of Kentucky while working at race tracks and for Robert Estill farm implement, feed, and hay companies. He Courtney H’38 also spent four years in the Army and was serving in occupied Japan when he was discharged in 1946. At the age of 21, Courtney purchased his first mare for $50 and later leased one hundred acres, which he farmed at night while maintaining his day job. As his land purchases grew, he established a successful market breeding operation at Crestfield, where he raised horses for the yearling market as well as boarding mares for clients and partners. In 1972, he purchased Hasty Queen II at the Keeneland winter sale. The mare produced six stakes winners, including Fit to Fight, which swept the New York Handicap Triple Crown (the Metropolitan, Suburban, and Brooklyn handicaps). His involvement in the thoroughbred industry has garnered him several honors, including Farm Manager of the Year in 1970 and an honorary lifetime membership in the Thoroughbred Club of America in 2003. Courtney sold Crestfield Farms in January 2008 and retired.
Walter Durrett ’66 Walter Durrett began his Culver career in the Summer Cavalry in 1962, where he was named the Best Horseman during his final year. At Culver Military Academy he went on to ride in President Lyndon Dawn Durrett Vass ’87, accepts a Hall of Johnson’s Inaugural Parade, Fame award for her father, Walter Durrett ’66. captain the jumping and Presenting is Jud Little ’65. polo teams, was a member of the Lancers, and received the Best Horseman Award in 1966. Following graduation, Durrett worked in the Horsemanship Department during the summer. In 1971, he received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University. He went on to become a successful Thoroughbred trainer and established his own racing stable outside Columbus, Ohio, which he sold in 2004. For recreation, Durrett played polo for the Del Rancho team with CMA graduate Albert “Bud” Strouss ’42. He later founded the Alum Creek Polo Club, playing with/against the late Jeff Williams ’75, Warren Bonnie ’74, and Dan McCarthy Jr. ’76. Durrett resides in Tampa, Fla., where he still trains horses at Tampa Bay Downs.
His legacy includes daughter Dawn Durrett Vass ’87, who accepted on her father’s behalf, and grandsons Devin ’10 and Dalton ’12, both Troopers. “My father is very grateful,” Vass said. “Culver has always been an important part of his life. I love this school, and am honored to have both of my boys here.”
Barbara Newill Klatt ’73 As an active professional in the equine industry for over 35 years, Barbara Klatt has been involved with facility management, program development, show and clinic management, general instruction, coaching, and competition. Klatt was a member of the Culver Academy for Girls’ Varsity Show Jumping Team her sophomore through senior years. At Emory University, she rode Lippizans in Atlanta. She transferred to Eastern Kentucky, earned her bachelor’s degree, and taught riding at a private facility.
Barbara Newill Klatt ’73
She returned to Culver in 1978 as the Academies’ first female horsemanship instructor. In 1982, she achieved certification as a British Horse Society Instructor, adding the British Horse Society Intermediate Instructor certification in 1983. In 1993, she became a Master Instructor/ACI, with certification from the Certified Horsemanship Association. Since 1983, Klatt has taught and coached at various levels, becoming a freelance trainer and instructor in 1987 and serving as a clinic instructor for the CHA for the past twelve years. In 1997, she was awarded Coach of the Year from the national Capital Equestrian League in Maryland and Virginia, and in 2004 was named the CHA’s Clinic Instructor of the Year. Klatt has ridden upper level dressage and competed in lower level dressage. She is a member of the CHA Board of Directors. “I am honored and humbled,” Klatt said. “Culver gave me an opportunity to do more than ride horses,” referencing leadership and other sports she wouldn’t have enjoyed anywhere else. In her acceptance, Klatt related valuable lessons learned from three Culver horsemen: • Colonel Townsley taught her the use of a snaffle bit, her legs, and her seat; “If you needed more (than that), you weren’t getting the full benefit of the relationship between rider and horse.” • Horsemanship Director Major Jeff Honzik taught her to breathe. He had students singing “Dixie” while jumping. “If you’re singing, you’re breathing.” • And Sarge Hudson taught her the necessity of caring for the horse on the ground before you get on its back. Her husband is Emil Klatt ’73.
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