The Beckett Family
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Horses have served a rich history throughout the Beckett Family. Dr. C Richard Beckett began his veterinarian practice after graduating from The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Science, in 1960. He started his medical practice in a barn on his farm in Findlay, Ohio. As his practice grew, he developed and shaped a state of the art animal science center at the University of Findlay. Today, The C. R. Beckett Animal Science Center resides as a nationally recognized undergraduate program known for its hands on approach.
Dr. C. R. Beckett’s wife Linda grew up in Kenton, Ohio, riding Saddledbred and Arabian horses. Her father, Donald Derr and grandfather Harry Derr, bred, raised, and showed ponies. The Beckett’s have four children; Tod, Kelli, Jill, and Matt. Tod and his sister followed their parents’ passion, learning to ride all around and reining horses. They were trained by hall of fame horsemen such as Dale Wilkinson, Bill Horn, Doug Lily, Clark Bradley, and Ollie Griffith. Tod Beckett, the oldest son, was part of the Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Team and won the All American Horse Congress 13 and Under Youth Reining as well as the National Youth Activity Team Tournament (NYATT) Reining for the State of Ohio.
Tod Beckett followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming a veterinarian. He received a scholarship to play basketball for Denison University, where he graduated with his Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology. He went on to study Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University. While attending veterinarian school, he worked for and served as a judge for reining shows in the State of Ohio. He was able to ride and work with notable horses such as Mr. Gun Smoke, Margate, Kenny Contential, and Trashadous. After graduation, Dr. Beckett began his practice in Dover, Ohio with a large focus on equine lameness and reproduction. His father, Dr. C Richard Beckett DVM, and him co founded a small animal practice in Dublin, Ohio in 1990. The original practice has expanded to two VCA locations, Sawmill and Millrun where Dr. Tod Beckett serves as the Medical Director for both. Dr. Becket has two sons, Travis and Ben and a daughter Maxine. He and his wife, Mary own and show reining and race horses.
Dr. Beckett’s children, Ben and Maxine have followed the family’s legacy riding and showing horses. Maxine participates in Linda Dare’s competitive Interscholastic Equestrian Team (IEA). She rides both English and Western and competes in reining, horsemanship and English equitation. Ben also rode with Linda Dare. During his middle and high school years, he was two time National Champion and two time Reserve National Champion. Ben purchased the reining horse Wallamellon, during his senior year of high school. Ben and Wallamellon became Non Pro Derby Reserve Champions in Levels 1, 2 and 3 and placed in the Top Ten at the AQHA Youth World Show. They were 3 time All American Quarter Horse Congress Champions with earning over $34,000. Ben currently works for Brian Bell Performance Horses pursuring his professional career. As a professional, he rode Xtra Chucka Chic to the finals at both the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby and at the National Reining Breeders (NRBC) Classic.
Dr. Tod Beckett
An avid horsemen and prominent veterinarian, Dr. Tod Beckett grew up riding and training reining horses. He trained under and rode with many Quarter Horse legendary horseman as a youth, like Dale Wilkinson, Clark Bradley, Bill Horn and Rick Weaver, to name a few. He was a member of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association’s Youth Team where he was Reserve High Point Youth as well as Quarter Horse Congress Reining Champion. He went to college at the University of Dension where he played basketball and was the team captain. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Biology. He then attended The Ohio State University studying Veterinary Medicine. After graduating, veterinary school in 1989, Dr. Beckett began a mixed animal practice in Dover, Ohio where he had a large focus on equine lameness and reproduction. His father, Dr. C Richard Beckett DVM, and him co founded a small animal practice in Dublin, Ohio in 1990. The original practice has expanded to two VCA locations, Sawmill and Millrun where Dr. Tod Beckett serves as the Medical Director for both. For almost two decades, Dr. Beckett has a special focus on orthopedic and oncologic surgery in small animals.
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Dr. Becket currently serves as the President for The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association as well as many other organizations. He also is works with the leadership boards for the Columbus Academy for Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, The Ohio State University Alumni Council and the Columbus State Community College Veterinary Technology Program. He is slated to join the board at the University of Findlay’s Animal Science and Equestrian Programs where his father has served on the board for over 30 years. Along with serving on multiple educational boards Dr. Beckett is also an active member with many local organizations. Currently he serves as a board member for the Capital Area Humane Society in Columbus, Ohio as well as the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
In 2007 Dr. Beckett became involved in the Ohio Thoroughbred industry, after breeding his first racehorse, Came and Gone. He has bred, raised, raced and sold several successful Thoroughbreds throughout the years. He founded The Beckett Racing Team, in 2010, an Ohio based racing partnership. Along with racing Thoroughbreds, his family is actively involved in the reining industry. His wife, Mary, and him have owned and shown reining horses together through the years. His daughter, Maxine, is an active member on an Interscholastic Equestrian Team. His son, Ben, is a prominent reining horse trainer in Bellefontaine, Ohio.