Peter Cashman was born the youngest of nine in 1951. He was raised in Garden City, NY, where his father, John Cashman, Sr., a harness racing judge, introduced him to horses. He began to ride at the age of six. It was not until he was 12 that he fell in love with harness racing. His brother-in-law, Billy Popfinger, saw Peter's interest in Standardbreds and hired him as a groom at Monticello Raceway. He spent his summers at the raceway getting familiar with the care and maintenance that a barn and horses demand.
Eventually, the grooming job led Peter to become a second trainer. As a trainer he had the opportunity to work with Harness Racing Hall of Famers Del Insko and Stanley Dancer. During those years as a trainer, Peter opened The Cashman Stable at Roosevelt Raceway and Yonkers Raceway. It was at the raceway where he met Sherry Mantell in 1978. She was also a successful trainer, with her own stable. They married in 1983 and combined their stables, The Cash-Mantell Stable, and raced Roosevelt, Yonkers and Monticello.
After the birth of their first child, Shane, they decided that the racing life was not ideal for raising a family. The racing business required that they move from Florida to New York every six month. As chance would have it, there was a job opening at the West Point Military Academy.
On a whim, Peter applied and was accepted as manager of the Academy Stable in 1986. Soon after arriving at West Point, Peter and Sherry began handling most of the barn responsibilities. The Cadet Equestrian Team held practices at the stables. After assisting the team for two years, they took over as head coaches in 1988.
As coaches, they slowly built a highly competitive unit. The first major change Peter brought to the program was in 1998 when Western was added. The team then excelled in the Western competitions, winning all but one regional championship since 1998. Under their guidance, the USMA team has sent seven American Quarter Horse Association riders to Nationals, as well as individuals to compete in Western and Hunter Seat. The have also had three rides at the Nationals in the Cacchione Cup. To Peter and Sherry, the team became an extension of their family.
In 1998, Peter became IHSA Regional President of Zone 2, Region I. Then in 2005, he moved to the Zone 2 Chair position. While on the board he has chaired the committees on National Collegiate Athletic Association relationships and development. Peter has also been instrumental in the development of the partnerships with the United States Equestrian Federation, United States Hunter Jumper Association, and Professional Horsemen's Association. Peter became chair of the national horse committee in 2000, and has helped in making the national championships the premiere event that it is today. He has always played an active role in intercollegiate, whether from home or at the numerous meetings and conference calls where he is always a major contributor. Peter has never been afraid to speak up for what he feels is right for intercollegiate. It is with this passion that he has gained the respect of his peers and from those he coaches.
Peter also hosts Horse Talk, a radio talk show based out of Orange County, NY. The show centers on local and national horse-related issues and has featured George Morris, Stacy Westfall, Craig Johnson, and Lendon Gray. He serves on the board of directors at the Goshen Historic Racetrack and judges during their races. He also spent six years as President of the Goshen-Middletown Riding Club.
Peter and Sherry are the proud parents of three children: Shane, Randy and Shelby. Shane will be graduating with his Masters in Writing from Manhattanville College in 2010. Randi grew up knowing she wanted to compete in intercollegiate, and she now attends Centenary College and competes against her parents' team. This will be her third year competing at Nationals as her region's AQHA rider. Their youngest, Shelby, is now captain of her high school riding team.
Peter takes great pleasure in helping the young riders achieve their goals and to continue to enhance the program in whatever capacity he can. He looks forward to seeing the reputation of intercollegiate grow, all while getting to watch his daughters compete in an association he helped to advance.