Walking Horses Featured
in Private School Program

©Voice, June 2006

Montverde Academy (Florida), a coeducational independent boarding and day school in central Florida, is a college preparatory school serving grades PK3 – 12. Located just northwest of Orlando, Montverde Academy was established in 1912 and is situated on 125 acres adjacent to Lake Florence.

With a rich history and tradition of excellence, 100% of the Academy graduates will matriculate to some of the most competitive colleges and universities across the United States. In the past five years, our graduates have matriculated to such colleges as Dartmouth, Rhodes, Wake Forest, Rollins, Michigan State, The Citadel, and Hofstra to name a few.

Complementing a strong academic curriculum is an excellent athletic program. In the past 3 years, Montverde Academy students have received 11 division 1 athletic scholarships with a score of other students with partial scholarships. Well developed athletically and socially, our students are among the most heavily recruited in the United States.

Following on the vision of Headmaster Kasey Kesselring, the school wished to emerge with a competitive equestrian program. The Academy ninth Headmaster in the schools nearly 94 years of history, Mr. Kesselring came to Montverde Academy in 1999 following a successful tenure as the Assistant Headmaster at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Webb consistently enrolled students who were actively engaged in the walking horse industry. As assistant Headmaster, Mr. Kesselring began taking riding lessons as a hobby at Southridge Farm. Southridge Farm was owned by Janet Howell whose two sons, Justin and Jordan Howell graduated from Webb School during Mr. Kesselring’s tenure at Webb. Mr. Joe Webb was the trainer at Southridge when Mr. Kesselring began taking lessons. Through this relationship, Mr. Kesselring developed a passion for the breed and hoped one day to see the breed become part of the school community.

In 2001 with three horses owned by Mr. Kesselring and an existing two stall barn, the Academy started a riding program after school. The first year, there were 4 students who joined the program. In 2002, now with 8 horses, the program had grown to 12 students and the Academy has started competing in the Florida Walking and Racking Horse Association each month. By the end of the season, the Academy shows had earned high point awards in several divisions. In 2003, with nearly 21 horses, the program grew to 26 students, and also included several double registered spotted saddle horses. In 2004, the Academy expanded the program to include a lesson program beginning at 2nd grade. The equestrian program exploded to 40 students and included schooling shows as well as competitive FWRHA association shows. During the course of the season, the Academy received a challenge grant from a parent to raise funds to build a new equestrian facility. The initial challenge grant was $25,000.00 to be matched within 60 days. Headmaster Kasey Kesselring challenged the school and local community for support and raised over $150,000.00 for the capital campaign. In 2005 with nearly 50 students from 2nd through grade 12 involved in the program and 55 head of horses including broodmares and babies, the Academy constructed a new 30 stall show barn, riding arena, and fenced pastures. The Academy was now competing regularly with FWRHA and making trips to Tennessee for walking horse and spotted saddle horse shows including the International and Celebration.

In the spring of 2005 having maintained a connection with Janet Howell and having a personally owned horse in training with Tim Thompson, Mr. Kesselring approached Janet and Tim about the possibility of relocating to central Florida to take over the leadership of the equestrian center. Over a period of months, continued discussions led to an agreement and Janet and Tim began with Montverde Academy on March 1 of 2006. As part of their agreement, the Academy show string will travel back to middle Tennessee following the June show in Florida so that the horses can compete and prepare for the International and The Celebration. The Academy has leased Tim’s training barn in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to serve as their Tennessee training facility.

At present, with show horses by Jose Jose, JFK, Jewel Thief, Hard Cash, MG, Jazzman, Pusher’s Fine Art, Alen’s Avenger, Doctor Elmer, and Lined With Cash (to name a few), and broodmares by The Pusher C.G., Final Edition, Masquerading, Prides Beam, Battle Colors, Ebony’s Senator and Mark of Carbon, the Academy is planning for success in the show ring.
With an enrollment nearing 500 students, Montverde Academy invites any interested students who have a desire to prepare for college and continue their interest in walking horses to pursue enrollment at Montverde Academy. For more information, please check out the Academy’s website at www.montverde.org or contact the admission office at 407.469.2561.