As the leading online equine publication, GoHorseShow is humbled by the opportunity to meet so many fascinating people across the world and learn about their lives. It is remarkable that our common bond of loving horses can bring so many people together from all walks of life that we probably would have never met otherwise.
Just recently, GoHorseShow had an amazing opportunity to visit and photograph one of the most extraordinary and history-rich equestrian facilities in the world, Gut Jaidhof (translated as: The Estate of Jaidhof). The 6,400 acre estate is owned by one of the kindest families–Guntard and Cathrin Gutmann of Jaidhof, Austria. In European social settings, this couple is introduced as Baron Guntard and Baronin Cathrin Gutmann, but we know them as American Quarter Horse owners and exhibitors. The past few years, this down-to-earth and charming husband and wife recently increased their involvement in showing AQHA in Europe and the United States.
Currently, the couple compete on the quarter horse circuit with their outstanding string of horses; Onlyafraid InTheDark, A Natural Sensation, Al Ways Right, Al Be Graceful, Gold Styled VP and their most recent purchase, Blue Couture. Showing quarter horses is not as common as some other breeds in this part of the world, but the couple has grown to love the minds and versatility of America’s horse. Cathrin’s cowboy boots with spurs are a stark contrast to the 19th century furniture and oil paintings that adorn their residence. Also, not trailing too far behind the couple is their beloved Pug, Lui, who goes everywhere with them including restaurants and horse shows.
“Most of our friends don’t understand what we do with regards to showing quarter horses,” says, Guntard who just started showing, A Natural Sensation, in the hunter under saddle classes. “But, when we show them our horses, people fall in love with them. The hunter under saddle horses are so elegant but they also have great minds. I think there is a great opportunity in this part of the world to grow the popularity of American Quarter Horses– that is why Cathrin now has chosen some of the finest mares for breeding these kinds of horses.”
As a teenager, Cathrin found out about the breed from a friend in high school which led to her showing in the reining events as a youth exhibitor. At 19, she met Guntard on her parents’ front porch, and she says, “it was love at first sight.” Despite their 20 year age difference, the couple have common interests and have been married over two years. While they were courting, Cathrin shared her love of horses with Guntard who now fully supports his wife’s passion of showing. Now, the loving couple have a beautiful two year-old daughter, Emilie, “Mimi” who, typical of any two year-old, enjoyed teaching us how to say, “No” in German–“Nein!”
The couple’s mindset of integrating old and new is apparent when touring Gut Jaidhof. Cathrin and Guntard are currently in the painstaking process of renovating the rest of the estate to its 19th Century glory. The couple finished remodeling their current residence two years ago which was formerly used as offices for the forestry business. (pictured below)
In the 19th Century, the Gutmann Family was known as the leading steel and coal producer in Europe where they had several factories located in Poland and the Czech Republic.
In 1884, Gut Jaidhof, was purchased by Baron Wilhelm von Gutmann. At that time the estate comprised some 25,000 acres of land, forestry, hunting, fishing and about 100 acres of vineyards. The entire estate was adapted and renovated by the famous Austrian architect Heinrich von Ferstel who helped build the late 19th-century Vienna.
During the Nazi era, the estate was confiscated by the Nazi party in order gain control of the Gutmann’s steel and coal mining business for building weapons and tanks for the war. The family had to flee and during that time they lived in exile in Brazil. The castle and the riding arena were used by the Nazis as propaganda schools to train their soldiers. The riding arena was turned into a building with two floors where the Nazis had several classrooms. The Soviets also occupied the estate after the Nazis, but it was repurchased by Baron Wolfgang von Gutmann in 1947. The family then sold off most of the 25,000 acres but kept the remaining 6,400 acres that is now considered Gut Jaidhof.
“We were trying to decide what to do with the historic riding arena since it was changed by the Nazi party into a two floor building,” Cathrin explains. “We thought about turning it into apartments or maybe a music hall but decided it was best to return it to its original purpose. It is a small arena so we may use it for clinics and for therapeutic riders.” (pictured left)
Cathrin adds,”I’m so glad that we tore down the structures built by the Nazis because before it had such a negative and heavy feeling about the place–but now it feels free–like it can breathe now. We’re very happy to be able to restore Gut Jaidhof back to its old shine, one can already feel the whole estate awakening after years of sleeping.”
Due to Guntard’s background in banking and forestry, his great, great uncle’s wife, Rosa, thought Guntard would be a good person to take over the estate after her death. The castle and most buildings of the estate area are now considered valuable architecture of the 19th Century and therefore monument protected buildings. With this protection, also comes the difficult task of keeping the historic integrity of the buildings while updating them to meet modern demands.
Since 2005 and 2006, extensive changes have been planned and implemented by the Gutmann family including tearing out the second floor of the riding arena and turning it back into its original splendor. The family also renovated the old pig barn into a six stall private barn for horses; an old carriage house into a rehabilitation center for horses; the old cattle and chicken barn into offices for Guntard’s companies; and the old forestry office into their residence. Their next project is renovating an old home that was used as the laundry facility for the castle into a home for problem children.
GoHorseShow was able to take a tour on horseback and visit the 6,400 acre estate. The ponds, farm land, historic buildings, forest, and castle were nothing short of breathtaking. We are happy to share many pictures with our readers.
CLICK HERE to view an extensive slideshow of the estate.
The family currently only has two personal retired reining horses on their property to ride. The couple recently bought the hunter under saddle horse, Al Ways Right (Dave), from Lauren Rodberg to keep at their estate to practice the hunter under saddle. However, due to the recent stall injury of Al Be Graceful, the family has sent Dave to their trainers, Karin and Ruggerio Prevedel’s in Italy to prepare for the European Championships. Cathrin is currently in Athens, Texas trying to finish qualifying for the AQHA World Show in the amateur hunter under saddle with her new horse, Blue Couture. This new duo is currently under the guidance of Allison Clark.
GoHorseShow wishes the Gutmann’s the best of luck in the show arena, and we would like to thank them for sharing their beautiful property with our readers and explaining the history and intense process involved in renovating their estate. Their openness and hospitality was much appreciated and will never be forgotten.
CLICK HERE to see their ad in the July issue of GoMag
Photos © GoHorseShow.com and Art & Light Photography
