The U.S. Equestrian Federation has let everyone know longime U.S. reining chef d’equipe Jeff Petska died last Sunday of cancer.
Petska was instrumental to U.S. Reining’s success internationally, serving as chef for all the U.S. World Equestrian Games teams since the sport began taking part in the WEG in 2002, and stayed through the last WEG, which was in 2018. The U.S. won gold at all five WEG.
Jeff coached junior, young rider and senior teams to podium finishes internationally, including a silver medal at the 2008 FEI World Reining Championships, and 2017 Junior silver, 2019 Junior gold, and 2019 Young Rider bronze at the FEI World Reining Championship for Juniors & Young Riders.
He operated Petska Performance Horses in Texas, for many years. He was diagnosed with cancer in May 2022. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, and his children, Chelsea Petska Brelia, and Tanner Petska.
In a post on his Facebook page last month, he wrote:
“Besides all of my two-footed family I can’t thank the Lord enough for bringing the animals into my life that have allowed me the joys that they have given me. From riding on their backs, or from allowing me just a glimpse of what their minds are capable of, or just allowing me to watch in them in all their athletic grace I thank them.”