A Kent farmer and contractor has named his new Fendt Rogator 665 sprayer ‘Tokyo’ – to commemorate a Gold Medal win by his daughter at this year’s Olympics.
Fred French, who is based at Meopham, had the machinery delivered on Friday 6th August, which coincided with Fred’s daughter, Kate French winning the Gold Medal in the Modern Pentathlon at the Olympic Games in Japan.
The self-propelled sprayer was supplied by main dealer RW Crawford Agricultural Machinery Ltd, and is the fourth Rogator to be operated by farmers and contractors M & M F French, near Gravesend.
At least they didn’t name it
‘goldie’ or ‘ringo’!!!
Fred said “Due to Covid-19 restrictions we couldn’t be in Japan to support Kate, so we watched at home,” he explained. “The sprayer arrived within an hour of Kate’s win. It’s the most important machine on our farm and a significant investment, so it seemed appropriate to name it ‘Tokyo’, after the Olympics host city on such a momentous day.”
The Modern Pentathlon includes fencing, freestyle swimming, equestrian show jumping, pistol shooting and cross-country running. “I was very lucky,” explained Kate. “Growing up on the farm meant I spent a lot of time outside. We had horses, and I was always horse riding and running around the fields. I live in Bath now with my husband Leo as the training base is there, but love coming back to the farm.”
Asked about having the sprayer named to commemorate her win, Kate said that she was pleased when her dad told her his idea. “It’s typical of him to do something like that – I like the name plate, he will have to keep that sprayer now. I enjoy riding the horses and running when I am back on the farm, but in future I will want to drive the Rogator too!”
Crawfords Fendt Brand Specialist Carl Goff said that he was excited to be asked to add the nameplate and Olympic rings. “We get on very well with Fred and he is a good customer, so we were delighted when he asked us to help him celebrate Kate’s Gold Medal win in this way.”