You may not have heard of trainer Debbie Haimowitz. She didn’t run a big stable, have high-profile horses or compete on the Florida circuit.
But the Goshen, N.Y., resident, who succumbed to cancer last month at age 67, was a kind and dedicated horsewoman who made a difference in many lives, equine and human.
“It always seemed like a relationship that was great both ways when you dealt with her,” said Olympic show jumping medalist Chris Kappler, who flew up from Florida to say goodbye to Debbie on Feb. 27, the day she died.
“She was a regional trainer and helped anyone and everyone,” said Chris. He met her at Hunterdon Inc. in Pittstown, N.J., where she started taking lessons in the late 1980s with George Morris and Jeff Cook, another trainer there.
“She took our teachings and we knew where it was going. She was always spreading the word down all of her paths, the spirit behind Hunterdon and the care of the horses. She would drive two hours each way with her horse for lessons once or twice a week,” said Chris.
Debbie Haimowitz competed in addition to teaching. (Photo by Jonna Gaston)
“It truly mattered to her that it was done right, especially for the horse,” commented Jeff.
“She was always looking to learn and do the best thing she could for the sport. She was so friendly and nice.”
Jonna Gaston, the owner of Green Valley Tack in Pine Island, N.Y., and Debbie’s friend of 35 years, called her “an extraordinary person whose determination to teach us surpassed even our own expectations, a human who wouldn’t let the student quit until they felt or understood even a mere second, a moment, of a concept. Deb’s perseverance both on and off a horse was exceptional in a patient, kind and feeling manner, she continued to coax you to another level you didn’t know was possible.”
For 17 years, Debbie rented stalls at trainer Eamonn Hughes’ Drumnacross stable in New York State. He called her, “the nicest person you would ever, ever talk to.”
Eamonn noted, “She had an unbelievable eye for a horse. She had an amazing patience with all the timid students. An hour lesson would go on for two hours.”
His son, Michael, was a top competitor even as a teenager (he now rides for Stephex Stables in Belgium). But when Michael had a bad day at a horse show, his father would advise, “ `Go back to Debbie and have a little flat lesson and jump some small jumps.’ She had that calming effect she was fabulous at just bringing everything back down and relaxing everybody,” Eamonn said.
Debbie graduated in 1979 from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a degree in psychology, and it served her well not only with humans, but also equines and canines.
Debbie always took time with her students. (Photo by Leslie Young)
Trainer Nancy (Jonesie) Jones would have Debbie come to New Jersey and school a horse belonging to Vicky Sroka, one of her boarders.
“Debbie was a knowledgeable trainer and would explain while she was riding your horse what she was feeling and corrections that she was making in the hopes that you would feel and implement the corrections,” Vicky remembered.
For eight years, Debbie worked for Purina Animal Health and had just won its top salesperson award. Christine Siracusa, who had gotten her the job at the company, believed Debbie didn’t realize how many people she had touched in her life.
“There was never a kinder, more positive person in the show ring who was always willing to help. The magnitude of who she is and what she meant to so many people is overwhelming.”“
Debbie’s expertise as a trainer was only one characteristic that made her valuable to her students.
As Jonna noted, “What truly will be missed is her connection with every soul she came in contact with — the way she always looked you in the eye, let you know you were heard and seen at any time. You felt she had all the time in the world for you whenever it was needed.
Debbie with her horse Wendel van Het. (Photo by Jonna Gaston)
“She sacrificed her time for everyone else first and then would tackle her own long list of chores later. She was a horsewoman we all strive to be and demonstrated the definition of friendship and love to all of us. Deb would want us to continue her legacy by being better humans, riding like you mean it and showing everyone you come in contact with respect, kindness and love.”
There were dozens of tributes to Debbie on Facebook, but one that struck me came from Martyna Maczuga: “I still think about the time I was about to show and was really nervous. You gave me a pink cloth to wipe my boots with beforehand. It made me happy because you said you knew it was my favorite color, and you told me it was the small things that help us. That still has stuck with me, almost seven years later.”
A celebration of Debbie’s life will be held May 13 from 1-8 p.m. at the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation in Gladstone, N.J. There will be speakers at 4 p.m. Those who wish to attend should RSVP Jonna at jonnagaston@gmail.com.
Debbie is survived by her sister, Gail Schlenger, and her brother, Steven Haines, nieces Alison White, Lauren Schlenger and Alexandra Haines, as well as her stepmother, Susan Haimowitz, and stepbrothers Ron and Ken Gerber and their families. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the USET Foundation
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