The lull before the new year offers an opportunity to reflect on special memories of the people and horses we lost in 2023. Let’s recall their accomplishments and raise a toast to them as we head into 2024.
The first person who comes to my mind in that regard is Jimmy Wofford, the eventing Olympic medalist who eventually became more well-known for other achievements.
Jimmy Wofford loved his Labrador retrievers and the opportunity to go fishing. (Photo by Jim Wolf)
He took on an important role in governing horse sport (he was the president of the old American Horse Shows Association), coached a contingent of successful riders, was a brilliant speaker and went on to offer incisive views on things equestrian through his published work. An outdoorsman who became a celebrated author, he was intellectual without being pedantic, and had a wicked sense of humor.
Jimmy died in February after a long illness, something he fought with his trademark determination and bravery.
More medalists left us early in the year. They included Jimmy’s friend and 1972 Munich Olympics eventing silver medal teammate, Kevin Freeman; dressage rider Carol Lavell, most identified with the giant blaze-faced Gifted, the mount she rode to the team bronze at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, and Champ Hough, eventing team bronze medalist in the 1952 Helsinki Games, the first Olympics in which civilian equestrians represented the U.S.
From the hunter/jumper world, the losses included Marco Fuste, the FEI’s charismatic jumping director; enthusiastic jumper owner Mike Polaski; hunter trainer/rider Larry Glefke and Karen Golding, who was in a category of her own as an international jumper groom and eagle-eyed steward. Others we will miss include George Spellman, who did everything and was a friend and supporter of everyone at the Devon showgrounds in Pennsylvania, where the late trainer Susan Sisco so often excelled in side-saddle competition.
Karen Golding with Olympic gold medalist Joe Fargis on their induction into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. ((Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Also among those to whom we said goodbye were jumper owner Diana Firestone, mother of rider Allison Firestone; Ralph “Larry” Roberts, founder of the World Equestrian Centers; USEF judge Phil DeVita Sr. a pioneer of the sport and winner of the USHJA’s Lifetime Achievement Award; the outspoken Tiffany Teeter, an artist and knowledgeable horsewoman who was a supporter of the Amwell Valley Hounds.
This group also includes hunter legend Peggy Augustus, perhaps best known for her great champion Waiting Home; the 2005 Virginia Horseperson of the year, Meredith McLaughlin, who was involved in governance and had “a keen eye” for a nice equine prospect and Ellie Wood Keith Baxter, winner of the 1936 ASPCA Maclay Finals, who continued riding at age 100 and lived until she was 101. Kavar Kerr, “who lived a life of doing for others” came up with the idea of the American Hunter Jumper Foundation and was a noted horse owner as well as a rider, in addition to being a pillar of the Blowing Rock (N.C.) Horse Show.
Ellie Wood Baxter.
In dressage, those who departed included Elizabeth Madlener, a special trainer, judge and rider, who helped contribute to the popularity of the freestyle; Peggy Thomas, the owner of Debbie McDonald’s Olympic star, Brentina and Ellen DiBella, who focused on western dressage and Morgans. For information about dressage breeder Barbara Hay, see the current obituary in On the Rail section of this website.
Peggy Thomas, center, at the retirement of Brentina with Debbie and Bob McDonald; her daughter, Jane, and husbnd Parry Thomas. (Photo © 2009 by Nancy Jaffer)
In New Jersey, Buddy King, a friend to all and an all-around horseman and Ann David, owner of Hoopstick Farm (the first home of the Essex Horse Trials), have said farewell.
Others who are deserving of special mention include U.S Equestrian Team veterinarian Dr. Stephen Soule; Jeff Petska, chef d’equipe of the medal-winning U.S. reining team; Lars Sederholm, who played a key role in training U.S. eventing individual gold medalist David O’Connor; and JoAnne Postel, who founded the Foxfield program (known for its bareback and bridleless drill team) with her sister, Nancy.
Among those who sadly died in riding accidents, doing what they loved, were veterinarian Dr. Meg (Muggy) Mullin, jumper rider Hannah Serfass #rideforhannah, amateur show jumper Wayne Barr Jr. and eventer Jessie Aikman.
Wayne Barr Jr.
The horses we lost included Shutterfly, 30, ridden to three FEI World Cup show jumping finals titles by Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum; Primmore’s Pride, 30, who clinched first Rolex Grand Slam eventing title for Pippa Funnell; the Best Horse title winner at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Cortes C, 21, Beezie Madden’s Olympic and world championships show jumping medal ride, famous for jumping with his front legs crossed.
Beezie Madden and Cortes C at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in France, where won the title of Best Horse. (Photo © 2014 by Nancy Jaffer)
Others are eventing star Mr. Medicott, competed by five people, including Phillip Dutton and Karen O’Connor and Solaguayre California, the mount of eventer Tamie Smith, who had to be euthanized after fracturing a knee in an accident at the Luhmühlen, Germany 5-star event.
It’s a long list, the roster of those to whom we said adieu this year. If it’s missing someone who meant a lot to you, apologies; please take the time to remember them in your own way.
