Obituaries
René Pasquier (FRA), President of the Organising Committee for the popular CSIO in La Baule, has passed away at the age of 71. Image: PSV Jean Morel.
IN MEMORIAM: RENE PASQUIER (FRA)
René Pasquier, who served as President of the Organising Committee for the popular CSIO in La Baule (FRA) for the last 25 years, passed away yesterday (16 February).
La Baule, which celebrated 50 years of international Jumping in 2010, traditionally hosts the first leg of the FEI Nations Cup™ Top League, one of the FEI’s flagship series. René Pasquier was the driving force behind the show and it was his vision and drive that made La Baule into one of the most popular events on the international calendar.
“René Pasquier was a truly wonderful man who dedicated himself tirelessly to making La Baule the iconic event it is today, where the world’s best Jumping riders convene for the first CSIO of the outdoor season,” said FEI President HRH Princess Haya.
“He will be sorely missed by FEI staff members who have worked closely with him over the years.
"The FEI will also be forever indebted to René, whose passion has showed no bounds for this fabulous world-class setting where the great Jumping champions make their mark."
The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to René Pasquier’s wife Catherine and his children, to the La Baule Organising Committee and the French equestrian community.
The USET Foundation Mourns Loss of John H. "Jack" Fritz: 1925 - 2012
USET Foundation mourns loss of John H. "Jack" Fritz 1925-2012.
Gladstone, NJ - February 10, 2012 - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation remembers today John H. Fritz, 87, of Rockford, IL and formerly of Gladstone, N.J. Fritz was a graduate of Princeton University and a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, played a key role in nearly every aspect of the equestrian world from founding organizations to governing and officiating. Jack Fritz dedicated his life to promoting equestrian sports.
Fritz was an integral part of the United States Equestrian Team for nearly three decades. He was a member of the USET Board of Directors since the early 1960's and an officer since 1974 which includes his role as USET Vice President for Administration and Chief Executive Officer from 1974-1989. He served as Secretary for nearly two decades before retiring in 1999. After retiring he continued to serve as a volunteer member of the Board and Assistant Secretary, and was an Honorary Trustee at the time of his passing.
A Technical Delegate for Dressage and Combined Training for 25 years and a dressage judge for over 20 years Fritz judged many three-day events and dressage shows. In addition to judging and officiating, he was the author of a number of books on horse sports.
He was a founder of numerous equestrian organizations including the United States Combined Training Association (USCTA), whose foundation he chaired in 1959. He was also a founder of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) whose foundation he chaired in 1973.
Fritz was an advocate supporter of the American Horse Shows Association (now USEF) and proudly served on numerous committees. Fritz, a sustaining member of the United States Pony Club (USPC) since 1955 was named USPC Governor in 1960 and in 1961 became a National Examiner, a role he held for 30 years. Over that time he also served on numerous USPC Committees. In 1972 he was elected USPC Vice President followed by his election to First Vice President in 1976, a position he held until he was elected President in 1981. In 1982 he became a member of the Advisory Committee and served as its Chairman from 1988-1990. He was also the USPC's representative to the USET and an ex-officio member of the Advisory Committee since 1988.
Fritz had many accolades over the years including being honored with the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000, "Horseman of the Year" first in 1968 by the New Jersey Professional Horseman's Association and again in 1969 by the New Jersey Horse Council. In 1978 he won the prestigious Wofford Trophy, awarded annually by the USCTA to a "non-riding" member who has done the most to further the sport of Combined Training. He was inducted into the USCTA's Hall of Fame in 1999. The Chronicle of the Horse listed him as one of the top 50 most influential people in this century.
In addition to his equestrian interests, Fritz was also deeply involved in early American history. A professor of history at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, he was Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University's Madison campus. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees and Officer Trustee of Centenary College.
Fritz is survived by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 10AM at the Scandinavian Cemetery in Rockford, IL. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of "Jack" may be made to the USET Foundation, P.O. Box 355, Gladstone, NJ 07934 and Culver Military Academy, 1300 Academy Road, Culver Indiana 46511.
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America's elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
IN MEMORIAM: HANS-HEINRICH ISENBART (GER)
Hans-Heinrich Isenbart (GER), “the voice of equestrian sport” in Germany, passed away at the age of 88.
Hans-Heinrich Isenbart (GER), who will be remembered by many as “the voice of equestrian sport” in Germany, passed away on 25 December 2011 at the age of 88.
He was born on 5 February 1923 in Vienna (AUT) into a family that had a passion for horses going back generations. As a young man he had wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an army officer, but his Jewish origins meant that career was denied to him in the Germany of the 1930s and 40s. He later studied law and passed his exams to become a riding instructor.
After World War II, he worked as a journalist for German broadcaster NDR, covering political and economic issues, and later took over sport coordination at ARD in Munich, where he remained until his retirement in 1987.
One of the highlights of his career in television was doing the live commentary on the equestrian competitions at the 1956 Olympic Games in Stockholm. From then on he was present at nearly all the major equestrian events, including one of the biggest and most popular horse shows in the world, CHIO Aachen (GER).
For all almost 60 years, “the voice of equestrian sport” continued to commentate at events and speak at seminars and congresses. Hans-Heinrich also wrote books and even made a film on horses.
Hans-Heinrich Isenbart’s funeral was held on 10 January in the Niedersachsenhalle indoor arena in Verden (GER) where, during his long career, he had been a Master of Ceremony at many gala evenings and had commentated numerous horse shows. Nearly 700 mourners attended the emotional service.
Hans-Heinrich Isenbart will always be remembered for his great eloquence, but also for his life-long dedication to horse welfare. His famous words at the end of every single broadcast were, “Und vergessen Sie die Pferde nicht!” (And don’t forget the horses!)
The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Hans-Heinrich Isenbart, to the German Equestrian Federation, and the German equestrian community.
IN MEMORIAM: CHRISTOPHER SCHOFIELD (GBR)
Christopher Schofield, who has died at the age of 90, was a loyal supporter of British Eventing’s Young Rider squad. He is pictured presenting the young rider trophy to Claire Bowley and Fair Share at Bramham Horse Trials in 1989.
Photo: Kit Houghton.
Christopher Schofield (GBR), former Chairman of Great Britain’s Young Rider Selectors programme, passed away on 4 January at the age of 90.
Many young British Eventing riders enjoyed success during his leadership of the Young Rider Selectors programme, including William Fox-Pitt, Tina Cook and Pippa Funnell.
Jane Holderness-Roddam, who secured team gold in Eventing for Great Britain at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, remembers Christopher Schofield as "a truly great character, he was always incredibly enthusiastic and supportive and was always thrilled to hear how the Young Riders were getting on, even in more recent years. He was always there with wise words of advice for us all."
Legendary junior and young Eventing trainer Gill Watson worked alongside Christopher as team trainer from 1981: "He was the backbone to all the British Young Riders success and really set the ball rolling,” she said. “To me, he was the most amazing supporter and friend."
The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Christopher Schofield, to British Eventing and the British equestrian community.
IN MEMORIAM: Michał WRÓBLEWSKI (POL), 1948-2011
Michał Wróblewski was born in 1948 in Lodz, central Poland. He studied at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan and the Technical University of Lodz completing degrees in law and engineering. After an impressive career in the textile industry and as a business owner, he joined the Polish Equestrian Federation in 2003. He became the organisation’s Secretary General in 2008.
Mr Wróblewski was passionate about sharing his knowledge of the business world and establishing best practices for National Federation administration with his colleagues from the European Equestrian Federation (EEF). He organised a seminar on this subject for the EEF in Warsaw (POL) earlier this year.
“Michał was a wonderful man with a great sense of humour and a passion for passing on his knowledge to others in the equestrian world,” FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos said. “He was a valued member of the EEF Board and his passing is a tragic loss, not just to the Polish Equestrian Federation, but to everyone involved in equestrian sport.”
Michał Wróblewski is survived by his wife Grazina, a son Victor, and daughter Agneska. It was Agneska’s love of horses and her involvement with the Polish Horse Breeders Association that originally brought Michał into the equestrian world.
The FEI extends its deepest sympathies to Mr Wróblewski’s family and to the entire Polish equestrian community.
IN MEMORIAM: WOLFGANG NIGGLI (SUI)
Wolfgang Niggli, one of the most eminent figures in international Dressage, is remembered for his services to the international equestrian community © Elisabeth Weiland
Wolfgang Niggli (SUI), one of the most eminent figures in international Dressage, passed away on Sunday 30 October at the age of 89.
Wolfgang Niggli won his first junior Dressage competition in 1937. He went on to compete in Jumping as a teenager and rode in Steeplechases before studying engineering at the Zurich Technological Institute and becoming a part-time riding officer in the Swiss cavalry.
In 1947, he took the opportunity of being based close to France’s prestigious military equestrian school in Fontainebleau to perfect his riding and competed in many Jumping and Dressage competitions, as well as Steeplechasing.
After working in the USA for several years as an engineer, Wolfgang Niggli returned to Switzerland where he became Vice President (Construction) of the North Eastern Swiss Power Company, but still found time to indulge his passion for equestrian sport.
In 1957 he became a Swiss national Dressage Judge. Four years later he became a member of the Swiss National Equestrian Federation’s Dressage Committee and was Chairman of the Committee from 1964-1973.
During this period he was also Chef d’Equipe for the Swiss team at numerous international competitions, including the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
In 1964, Wolfgang Niggli became an FEI International Dressage Judge and served on the FEI Dressage Committee from 1973-1976 and again from 1979-1981. He was Chairman of the FEI Dressage Committee from 1981-1993 and remained an honorary member of the FEI Bureau until the time of his death.
Since 1964 up to his retirement from the FEI Dressage Committee in 1993, he judged at numerous international competitions and at three Olympic Games.
In recent years, he was dedicated to helping riders around the world by running clinics using his long experience and knowledge of the sport.
The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Wolfgang Niggli and to the Swiss equestrian community.
DEATH OF EQUINE SUPERSTAR HICKSTEAD
Lausanne (SUI), 6 November 2011
Hickstead, the sensational Jumping stallion that Eric Lamaze (CAN) rode to individual gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong collapsed and died in Verona (ITA) today.
Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.s
The fourth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2011/2012 series at Verona, Italy was stopped today following the sudden death of the stallion Hickstead, ridden by reigning Olympic champion and world number one Eric Lamaze (CAN).
Drawn 22nd of the 39 on the startlist, the Canadian partnership had just completed Rolf Ludi’s 13-fence track with a single rail down in the middle of the combination when Hickstead collapsed and died.
The competition was stopped at the request of the riders, and Lamaze’s fellow-competitors gathered in the Verona arena to pay their respects to one of the greatest horses of all time, and to support their colleague in his moment of loss with a minute's silence.
HRH Princess Haya, FEI President added her condolences to those that have poured in since news of the horse's death. "Hickstead really was a horse in a million and my heart goes out to Eric and everyone connected with this wonderful horse. This is a terrible loss, but Hickstead truly will never be forgotten. We were very lucky to have known him."
FEI Jumping Director, John Roche, said “shortly after finishing his round of jumping Hickstead collapsed in the arena and died. As yet the cause of death is unknown, but our deepest sympathies go out to the owners, to Eric and to all the connections of one of the greatest Jumping horses of all time. Hickstead’s presence on the circuit will be very sadly missed”.
Lexington, KY - It is with great sadness that the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) learned that Woodburn, owned by Ann Jones and Mardie Fau cett, was euthanized last night. Woodburn appeared to have suffered major i nternal bleeding at home, the cause of which is unknown. More information w ill be available after an autopsy.
Woodburn and Phil lip Dutton represented the United States at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Eque strian Games, where they contributed to the fourth place effort of the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team. They finished 18th individually.
The 15-year-old New Zealand Thoro ughbred gelding was second at the 2010 Rolex Kentucky CCI4*, 12th in 2009 and 10th in 2008. He was also third at the 2007 Fair H ill International CCI3*. He toyed with some of the biggest cross country co urses in the world, making them look easy. In 2008, he stormed around the t rack at the Burghley CCI4* and into second place only to be withdrawn with a foot injury before the show jumping.
He began his career in the United States with Liz Millikin, who imported him from New Zealand, and then he c ompeted successfully through the CCI2* level with Emily Beshear.
Woodburn will be greatly missed b y the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team and the entire eventing community. ;
Woodburn in his element (Shannon Brinkman photo).
IN MEMORIAM
DEATH OF DOUBLE OLYMPIC CHAMPION D’ORIOLA (FRA) Lausanne (SUI), 20 July 2011
France's double Olympic champion Pierre Jonqueres d'Oriola passed away at his home in the Pyrenees on Tuesday 19 July. He was aged 91.
Born on 1 February 1920, d'Oriola won individual gold in the Jumping at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki riding Ali Baba. This was the second Olympic medal for the d’Oriola family in Helsinki. Only six days earlier his cousin Christian d’Oriola had won gold in the fencing.
Twelve years later in Tokyo, Pierre Jonqueres d’Oriola again took individual Jumping gold, this time on Lutteur B, and led the French to team silver. D’Oriola’s was the only gold for France in the Tokyo Olympics, earning him special congratulations from General de Gaulle and the rider received a hero’s welcome on his return to his homeland.
He won individual gold at the 1966 world championships in Buenos Aires (ARG) with a new horse Pomone B. D’Oriola rode in the change-horse final against three other legendary names in the sport – José de Borhoques (ESP), Raimondo d’Inzeo (ITA) and Nelson Pessoa (BRA) – to become the first French rider to claim the title. D’Oriola went on to take silver in the team event at the Mexico Olympics in 1968, his fifth and final appearance at the Olympic Games.
During 25 years of international competition, D’Oriola scored more than 500 victories, including Grand Prix wins in Rome (twice), Paris, Geneva, Nice and Brussels, as well as the King’s Cup in London. He was French national champion four times – in 1954, 1956, 1958 and 1959.
He lived in France, just across the border from Spain and was regularly seen at the CSIO Barcelona, which he visited every year, including 2010.
“He was an absolute gentleman and a wonderful horseman”, FEI Director Jumping John Roche said. “He will be missed greatly by all who knew him and came in contact with him.”
Caption: France's double Olympic champion Pierre Jonqueres d'Oriola, who has died at the age of 91.
IN MEMORIAM: HENRI CHAMMARTIN (SUI), 1918-2011
_and_Woermann_at_the_1964_Olympic_Games_in_Tokyo.jpg)
Henri Chammartin (SUI) and Woermann during their winning test at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games
Olympic and European Dressage champion Henri Chammartin (SUI) passed away this week at the age of 92. A legend in the Dressage world, he competed in five consecutive editions of the Olympic Games – Helsinki 1952, Stockholm 1956, Rome 1960, Tokyo 1964, and Mexico 1968 – winning a total of five medals.
During his first Olympic participation in 1952, Chammartin was a member of the Swiss team that claimed team silver. He received his second Olympic medal – a team bronze – in 1956.
Henri Chammartin became Olympic champion in 1964 and also won his second team silver that year. He rode the 13-year-old Swedish-bred Woermann which had travelled to Tokyo only as a reserve horse to his stablemate and reigning European champion Wolfdietrich, which was unfortunately lame.
Tokyo 1964 was the first Olympic Games to which horses were flown by aircraft. The Swiss team departed from Amsterdam on 28 September at noon and arrived, with a stop-over in Anchorage, Alaska, on 29 September at 3pm.
Henri Chammartin won his final Olympic medal – a team bronze – in 1968 when he finished ninth individually. That year, he and fellow equestrian Gustav Fischer both became only the second Swiss athletes to have competed at five Olympic Games. Chammartin retired from international competition after the Mexico Olympic Games.
As a young man Chammartin loved music and played the violin. Always the artist, he placed more importance on the expression of the horse’s movements, preferring it to technical precision.
The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Henri Chammartin and to the Swiss equestrian community.
DEATH OF AN IRISH LEGEND
By Louise ParkesIn 1935 at the age of nine, Iris walked her pony, Sparklet, from her home at Mespil Road in Ballsbridge to win her first rosette at the RDS - and she never looked back. She placed herself firmly on the map when clinching the British Ladies National Championship in 1947 and, that same year, was a member of Ireland's very first civilian Jumping side that competed in Nations Cups at Newport and Blackpool against teams from England, Sweden and Italy. Until then the sport of Nations Cup Jumping had been restricted to members of the military. She already had 150 wins at national level under her belt.
She was always ahead of her time. At the age of 12 she was already teaching large numbers of pupils at her father, Harry Kellett's, riding school in Mespil Road. She carried a confidence and competence into everything in which she would become involved.
Iris was just 22 years old when she won the Grand Prix at Dublin Horse Show - a feat matched by only two other Irish lady riders in the history of the event. And her career went into over-drive when, in 1949, she won the coveted Princess Elizabeth Cup at White City in London, a feat she again repeated two years later. All of these successes were recorded with her great gelding Rusty who denied his humble origins as a plough-horse to become one of the true stars of his age.
A devastating schooling fall brought her career to a swift halt in 1952 however. She fell so heavily that her leg shattered and her shinbone was driven into the ground. It would be 10 years before she would be sufficiently recovered, but she made an extraordinary comeback and in 1969 was crowned Ladies European Champion at the RDS before retiring. She then concentrated her energies into training, combining the education of the next generation of Ireland's top show jumpers with riding lessons for many of Ireland's top businessmen including the inimitable Charles J. Haughey and Conor Crowley. But her star pupil was Macken. He arrived as a raw recruit in 1969 but, blessed with many of Iris's best horses including Morning Light and Maxwell, he duly followed in her legendary footsteps. Iris was also pivotal in the careers of Peter Charles and the late Paul Darragh amongst many others.
She eventually moved her training establishment to Kill in Kildare, was a Director of Bord na gCapall (Irish Horse Board) throughout the 1970s and helped develop a degree in Equitation Science at Limerick University. She judged, lectured and gave demonstrations worldwide and served on many committees, influencing the evolution of equestrianism like few others.
Such was the respect and awe in which she was held, and such was her great charm and dignity, that she was almost always addressed as "Miss Kellett". The Irish horse world is at a loss with her passing. Her funeral service takes place today (Wednesday, 16 March 2011) at St John's in Kill, Co Kildare at 11am with burial afterwards at Mount Jerome Cemetery, Harold's Cross, Dublin.
LT. COL RONNIE MacMAHON (IRL)
Lt Col Ronnie MacMahon, Olympic event rider, international coach and advisor and former Officer Commanding at the Irish Army Equitation School, passed away on 11 December.
Born in Dublin in 1941, he became a commissioned officer in Ireland's elite military establishment in 1962 at the age of 21, and competed in jumping throughout the early years of his army career. However in 1969 he joined forces with a horse called San Carlos which would take him to the very top echelons in the sport of eventing. Within weeks of his new mount's arrival at McKee Barracks, the new partnership finished third at the Punchestown International Three-day Event, and from there they went from strength to strength. In 1970 they finished second at the Badminton Horse Trials and the following year reigned supreme on their home turf at Punchestown. They competed at the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972 and at the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976 and, riding Bothar Bui, Lt Col MacMahon was also fifth at Burghley in 1974.
He nurtured the career of the late Capt David Foster who was a linchpin of the Irish eventing squad for many years. Under his senior officer's guidance, Capt Foster helped Ireland win team gold for the very first time at the European Eventing Championships at Luhmühlen in 1979 riding Inis Meain, and the same horse claimed individual bronze at the Europeans in Horsens, Denmark two years later with Capt Brian MacSweeney on board. Lt Col MacMahon was also instrumental in the development of the career of Comdt Gerry Flynn who has been successful both as an eventing and jumping rider.
Over a long number of years Lt Col MacMahon was Chef d'Equipe and Coach to the Irish eventing squad, and he was a founder-member of Riding for the Disabled Association of Ireland. He was Officer Commanding at the Equitation School from 1997 to 1999 and, following his retirement, became Technical Advisor to the Show Jumping Department of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation for eight years. Throughout his life he filled many important roles including FEI Steward General for Ireland and Chairman of the Equestrian Committee at the Royal Dublin Society, and he had a powerful interest in Irish horse breeding. With great foresight he joined with Miss Eileen Parkhill to establish the Irish Half-Bred Breeders Register in the early 1970s, and in latter years devoted a great deal of his time to the highly-successful Future Event Horse League which he helped create and which has proven highly influential in identifying and developing the talents and skills of Irish horses and riders.
FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, paid tribute to him. "It is difficult to find the words to convey what Lt Col Ronnie MacMahon meant to me and to so many others in the equestrian world. He was a man of great strength, and clear vision, who loved Ireland, and celebrated the very best of its equestrian tradition through the people he touched in nearly every corner of the world, always with dignity and respect, always with humour and a kind word. He was one of the richest horsemen, in spirit and soul, that I have ever known. The global equestrian community has lost one its greatest ambassadors, and one of its truest human beings", she said.
Lt Col MacMahon is survived by his wife, Judy, and their daughters Clare and Emily. Mr Joe Walsh, Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland, will represent FEI President HRH Princess Haya at his funeral, which will take place in Trim Cathedral in County Meath, Ireland.
Kelvy 1980-2011
We lost our beloved thoroughbred mare today just 10 days short of her 31st birthday. Kelvy was a direct descendant of Man o' War. This morning when I went to the barn to feed her she remained stationary in her stall. Her many years had left her weak in her hind end and she was having difficulty walking. It is always hard to make this decision. Joan has cared for her for the last 26 years. It was, sadly, her time and she will be greatly missed by all. Also of great sadness to our family is that as the sun sets tonight, for the first time in 25 years, Bit by Bit farm will have empty stalls. No need to go down at nine o’clock for night hay and a few carrot treats or to rise early for morning hay feeding. An empty barn and an emptiness in our hearts.