One of the New Jersey equestrian community’s most active and respected volunteers, Tricia Haertlein, died Monday of cancer. A spirited worker with a “can do” approach who was extremely active with the Gladstone Driving Event, the Lebanon resident served as president of the Gladstone Equestrian Association’s Gladstone Driving board.
But you would often see her at competitions involving other disciplines in the state. She and her equally civic-minded sister, Barbara, took turns as president of the Hunterdon County Horse and Pony Association.
Susan Data-Samtak, president of the Somerset County Horse & Pony Association and another dedicated volunteer, noted “Tricia was a knowledgeable horsewoman, having been a carriage driver and rider most of her life. Early on, Tricia was a 4H leader for a “horseless horse club” before such clubs were popular. Tricia assisted in Octavia Brown’s handicapped riding program, organized driving and riding events, pre-dating the formation of the Gladstone Driving Event.
“Tricia was always there to help another horse person with advice or recommendations as to who might help if she couldn’t. We will miss her strength and support,” Susan concluded.
Contributions in Tricia’s memory may be made to the Hunterdon Land Trust, 111 Mine St., Flemington, NJ 08822, an organization with which she had been working before she became ill.