GUILDERLAND — Peter H. VanGuysling, the founder of Dutch Manor Stable where he trained some of the country’s top riders, died on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022, at home surrounded by family. He was 79.

He was born in Albany on Aug. 16, 1942 to the late Perry and Evelyn VanGuysling. He grew up in the Pine Hills section of Albany with his four siblings, where he attended high school at the Vincentian Institute in Albany and graduated from the Junior College of Albany.

He enlisted in the United States Army for two years, after which he worked for a short time at his father’s business, Composition Corporation.

“But for him it was always the horses,” his family wrote in a tribute. “At the age of 12, his aunt Edna Powers introduced him to horses, and thus started his life-long passion for the equestrian sport.

“Peter first learned how to ride with Russel Stewart at My Play Stables, where he learned the art of communication between horse and rider. He was lucky enough to have had the opportunity to try out many disciplines, from the typical English and Western riding, to steeplechase, fox hunting, and breezing horses at the track. But he turned to the sport of show jumping and made a life from that.

“Peter started Dutch Manor Stable in 1967, on the outskirts of Albany. There he trained young horses and riders to become more than what they were. Some of the country’s top riders and trainers of today got their start riding at Dutch Manor and achieved recognition at numerous A-rated shows including competing in the American Horse Show Association Medal Finals and the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Maclay Finals.

“He did this working with Cindy Ford in the early 1970s and ‘80s and then with Nora Hanlon from 1986 on. Peter showed extensively up and down the East Coast, including at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden with Balmoral in 1971.

“After obtaining his judging license, Peter balanced running his stables and traveling the United States and parts of Canada, judging at large and small shows alike, all while raising a family with his wife, Linda.

“In his later years, he still enjoyed training young riders on the old-school, tried and true mechanics of riding, and on how to work with your horse’s strengths and personality. He always enjoyed the ones who were a bit ‘hot’ as he liked to say. They were a puzzle to be solved and usually the ones who eventually went the best in the show ring.

“Peter was a founding member of the Capital District Hunter Jumper Council, alongside Con Culkin, John Blair, William Joyce, and Ralph P. Symmes. The CDHJC is an organization that promotes horse-show opportunities for the equestrian community in the greater Capital District and Peter was very proud of this accomplishment.

“But he was most proud of his family and friendships. He will be greatly missed by all, but his legacy will continue in those who knew him, loved him, and learned from him. In life, just like on a horse, you must be ‘Forward, Straight and Balanced.’” 

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Peter H. VanGuysling is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda (née Gibb) VanGuysling and by his children, Michael H. VanGuysling and Denise Popow, and Gail Tidmarsh and Paul.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kaitlin, Trevin, Matthew, Keelin, Jack, and Ryan; by his siblings, Maryann McLaughlin, Lisa Hanifan, Mark VanGuysling and Patricia, Kathleen Flood and Paul; by his nieces and nephews; by his business partner, Nora Hanlon; and by his extended Dutch Manor family.

There will be no formal services, as he requested a celebration of his life, to be planned for the fall.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to your local animal shelter, to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or to St. Peter’s Hospice of Albany.

I would like to submit the attached photo and obituary for my father Peter H. VanGuysling of Guilderland. He has been a resident and business owner in the town for the past 55 years.