A. Vilkinis was one of the first masters of Lithuanian horse sports, guide, trainer, breeder, teacher and inspiration and one of the first creators of the league.
A. Vilkinis (1952–2024) – a native of Varėna, born and raised in the village of Kašėtai surrounded by forests near the rushing Ła River. Having connected his early life with horses, he made Lithuania famous for the achievements of trotting horse sports and left an honorable mark in the history of sports – he, representing Varėna athletes, is a multiple champion of the republic, the winner of the Sartė Grand Prix and a participant and winner of foreign trotting horse races.
“Algis was number one for me as a coach as a person, to be honest, I don’t know if there were more like him. He never spared advice, lessons as well as constructive criticism, which led me to improve and improve my skills on the track. It was from him that I bought my first horse with which I started to win prizes. Even later, when Algis was no longer riding, he was always interested in discussing the competitions, nuances of horse preparation and driving strategies. We were united by a great love for horses”, recalls the horse owner Ernestas Juškauskas.
“Algis was an example of peace and respect for others. I remember his training on how to handle animals, his patience and calmness, which I always apply in my work treating horses. What I liked most was that he called the horses his children. They are really like children, they need someone to take care of them. Strength lies in attentiveness, tenderness, help, especially if you are strong and strong, as Algis was. He always knew who would be around the corner, who would achieve high results in the race, who should be praised for his efforts and who should be cheered for as if he had fulfilled his personal achievement”, says Žydrūnė Mortūnaitė.
“Algis was a person with a sensitive soul and outstanding honesty, who gathered around him and inspired both the young generation and trotting sports lovers and professionals. He was also my first advisor when I started to actively engage in trotting sports. At first considering it as a hobby, Algis later chose trotting as his permanent work activity. I reckon we’ve been raising, training and reaching the heights of this sport together for at least several decades, participating in international and league races. Many hours spent together on trips to competitions and conversations about horse care, breeding, characters, reining tactics and competitors’ achievements were our daily routine. I feel deep sadness after losing a close friend”, Stasys Kērys remembers.
2024-08-22 10:17:28