BIO., Hal A. Vita Sr.
Upon his return from the military Hal Vita entered the Connecticut Governor's Horse Guard, where he learned disciplined military training under the United States Cavalry Training Manual.
His skill grew in the Horse Guard until Mr. Vita became an instructor himself in the unit, training recruit riders and jumping students. By 1960, Hal was teaching students on his own according to the Caprilli, forward seat system.
In early 1962, Mr. Vita taught at the Martin School of Horsemanship, owned by Mr. Harry Martin.
Seeing his professional future as a full time horseman, Vita broke ground on his own 22 acres of land in Sommers, Connecticut to build a stable, the first structure in the complex that was to become Shallowbrook. The dynamic force that brought the concept of Shallowbrook from being a young man's dream to that first step of bringing the hope into reality was, and is, Hal Vita's great ability to build confidence in his associates and students. It is the Vita spirt that raises the pride of accomplishment within all who associate themselves with the Shallowbrook experience. Other great equestrians were impressed with the Vita drive and vitality.
After meeting and impressing the internationally celebrated equestrian and trainer Waldemar Seunig in the United States, Hal was personally invited by the master to join him in Germany to train in Dressage as Seunig's protege'.
Later, Hal's wanderlust for more knowledge would take him and members of his family and students to Ireland to study the traditions and protocols of the Irish Hunt.
Upon his return from Europe, Hal organized the very first polo competition in the area, and was the key figure in bringing indoor polo in New England into national prominence. His horses and teams have repeatedly been recognized in the quality of riding, the quality of training, and the high degree of courage and sportsmanship to be found under blue and white colors of Shallowbrook.
In 1968, Hal pursued another avenue in equestrianship, formalizing his years of interest in polo by starting a polo teaching program. One year later he formed a team from the University of Connecticut that inclueded his two sons, Joe and Frank, Bill LeRoyer, who later became his son-in-law, Bob (Red) Parks and John Bennett. In 1970 the team also included Duncan peters, Rick Voss and Tom Goodspeed (one of only two 10 Goalers in the world and maried to Country and Western singer Juice Newton). In 1972, the University of Connecticut won the first of 3 consecutive National Intercollegiate Polo Championships. In 1974, having built the new Polo and Teaching arena, he found he could no longer devote time to the Polo program at UCONN and resigned to start putting on National Arena Championships Games at the newly built arena at Shallowbrook.
Having won most of the National Arena Championship Tournaments from the the 3-cup Amateur Cup to the 12-15 Goal Challenge Cup, in 1989 he formed an interscholastic team that continues to enjoy major international success.
In 1969, Hal founded the University of Connecticut polo team with Duncal Peters, John Bennett, Bob (Red) Parks, Bill LeRoyer, and Joe and Frank Vita. Hal gave them horses, grounds, and coaching and lead them to three National Intercollegiate Polo Championship Titles.
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Hall Hill Road, Somers, CT 06071 (860) 749-0749