“Bert” as he is known, grew up riding on the East Coast with his legendary father, rider and trainer R.W. “Ronnie” Mutch.  His 50+ year career encompasses many accomplishments & awards in the hunter & jumper world. 

 

When asked what he is most proud of in his career, he will always reply:

“Being one of the few riders left that can ride and train both hunters and jumpers equally as well”.

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As a junior rider, Bert won the 1978 USEF Medal Finals, becoming the first and only father-son combination to have won the Finals (Ronnie won in 1950).  In that same year, he also won the National PHA finals, and gold medals in both the USEF finals and the Prix de Nations Junior Jumper Finals in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

After his successful junior career, Bert moved into the professional ranks, posting prestigious wins from coast to coast on such famous mounts as Holy Smoke, Touch the Sun, Count Tuscan, Henry the Hawk, and the incredible Rox Dene.  Bert has also successfully represented the USET and our country on several occasions both in U.S. and International Competitions.

 

In 2010, Bert returned to Northern California.  Over the past 11 years, he has remained successful with personal wins in the International and National Hunter Derbies along with numerous Grand Prixes with Johnny Cash, Cristar, Edgewood's Wonder, Galactic, Captain, Louis Le Bon, Hendrix, Rimpoche, Bunnistar, Cold Smoke, Spectacular, Casimir, Dolliebanta, Eminent, Overdressed, Kiss Me, Casseur de Prix, Let’s Dance, W. Natal, and Chiara Van De Broekkant.  He is equally proud of his students’ accomplishments as they have won championships in all discipline levels; hunters, jumpers, and equitation.  Participating and top placings in World Cup Qualifiers and Finals, Young Riders Finals, Hunter Derbies, and Equitation Finals, are some of the priorities and additional accolades of his students.  

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It doesn’t matter whether you call him Hugh or Bert, regardless you will find he loves what he does and his work embodies the Mutch legacy as the quintessential horseman (and mutch more).