Currently based in Barrie, Ontario, Vergut has been caring for the hooves and health of Team Canada’s eventing horses for a long time. He has been a part of the team at every major games over the last two decades including the Pan Ams, Olympics, and World Championships.
As the team’s number one pick to keep the equestrian triathletes hooves in tip top shape, an unofficial record of sorts is shaping up with him heading to his 4th Pan Ams in a row in Chile. If (and when!) Canada qualifies for the Olympics, he will have made it an even twelve out of twelve in three back to back quad cycles.
Born in Austria, he moved to Canada in 1993. Initially settling in Collingwood, Ontario, Andy and his father managed a ski shop for a period while he improved his English skills and then returned shortly after to his passion for horses and the role of blacksmith.
Andy Vergut and Waylon Roberts at Toronto 2015
Photo Credit: Starting Gate Photography
With over 40 years of experience as a farrier, Vergut’s expertise is a valuable asset to the Canadian team. His journey in the field began with an apprenticeship at a young age, and he has been honing his craft ever since. During his limited personal time, he enjoys working on the home he is building in Parry Sound, ON and sailing in the Caribbean during the winter months.
We had the chance to catch up with him to talk about his role as farrier. His story showcases a long-standing dedication to being a farrier, his contributions to the equestrian community, and his continued involvement in major international equestrian events.
We understand you come from a long line of blacksmiths – what’s the story there?
I was gifted a family tree some years ago and in studying it, back behind my grandparents, into the late 1800’s, apparently most of my family members were blacksmiths. They were in Europe, on the Swiss border of Austria, down to Northern Italy. Through this I also found out that my last name in Latin means “sharp steel”.
When and how did you start your career? Did you always want to be a farrier?
Over 42 years ago, as a teen, I was living with a family in Sweden, who raised standardbreds. I was always in the barn and I really liked to watch when the blacksmith came to work. That’s what started it for me. I apprenticed with him there, starting when I was 15 and ended my apprenticeship when I was 20 years old.
What have been some memorable moments over your career so far? Do you have any favourite horses you’ve worked with?
Oh gosh, I have a lot of them. I like them all, there’s no difference for me, if they are Olympic horses or if they are regular backyard horses, I see them the same. Larissa (Bruce Mandeville) is probably my favourite – we called her Iron Lady, she was quite a tough girl!
I remember one time I was changing the studs on her and one of the women holding her (Larissa) saw a bee on her butt and tried to smack the bee – she smacked it and Larissa fired out of the barn and I went flying (chuckles) – she launched me right over the plastic fence!
Photo Credit: Foothills FarmWhat are some of the challenges in your role?
A challenge I face is timing, it’s a big thing, one I think that a lot of people don’t understand. Planning for games is hard. I have clientele at home, I have to ensure I get everyone’s feet done before I leave.
What is the difference you find for high performance horses and specifically in the case of major events like the Pan Am games for how your approach hoof care?
Trying to stay calm, is important not just for me as the farrier but its the same for the veterinarian, the physiotherapists and everybody else. If you stress out about something, then it really affects the team.
Is there a routine for how you work while at major games? Have you done any pre-planning with the grooms leading up to the games?
From the day we land, we get into the routine, it is normal how we set it up, we have a jog in the morning, we look at the horses out there and assess if there’s a problem or anything comes up. It’s normally in the morning or routine that we check them, and then in the afternoon. I usually work alongside the vet and coach.
All of my tools usually go with the horse, you have to bring your own hand tools and all the stuff you need. Everything at a major competition is set up like a blacksmith shop.
Photo Credit: Jessica Phoenix FacebookWhat are you looking forward to most in Santiago? Is there anything different about these games compared to others you have been to?
This is my first time going to Santiago, I’ve been to Brazil, Olympics in Rio, Lima in 2019, that’s pretty much it for South America. I hope we finish in first or second place and qualify for the Olympics as a team.
Do you know any horses that will be there?
I know Goldie (Colleen Loach’s horse), El Mundo (Mike Winter’s horse), he was in Italy. The other two horses, I haven’t seen yet.
Would you like to share anything else with us?
These games will be my fourth Pan American games. If we make it to Paris, that will be 12 major games (four Olympics, four World Championships, Four Pan Am Games) – that’s a pretty strong number.
Photo Credit: Foothills Farm