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.
L-R: Carl Goff, RW Crawford Agricultural Machinery Ltd Fendt brand specialist; Kate French, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Gold Medal winner; Fred French, farmer and contractor
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, based at Meopham, near Gravesend.
The new sprayer arrived on Friday 6th August, and its delivery coincided with Fred’s daughter, Kate French winning the Gold Medal in the Modern Pentathlon at the Olympic Games.
“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.”
Gold medalist Kate said, “I was very lucky. 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.”
Kate French with the newly named sprayer
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!”
Carl Goff, Fendt brand specialist from Crawfords Ashford depot said that he was excited to be asked to add the name plate and Olympic rings.
He said, “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.”
