Mrs. Ann Rickard Haller passed away August 25, 2019 in Manassas, Virginia at the age of 56. She was born September 2, 1962 at Fort Benning, Georgia to the late Col. Daniel Rickard and Meta Stuart Fooks Rickard.
Ann is survived by her mother, Meta Fooks Rickard of Columbus, Georgia; her brothers Paul Rickard (Brooke) of Midland, Georgia and Col. Tom Rickard (Elizabeth) of Ft. Meade, Maryland; her aunts Mary Alice "Tuke" Shoemaker of Belton, Texas and Mary Bolling Fooks Whittemore of Falmouth, Maine; and her uncles Robert Fooks (Peggy) of Norfolk, Virginia and James Rickard (Kay) of Traverse City, Michigan.
Ann was preceded in death by her late husband Mr. Roger Haller and by her father Col. Daniel Rickard.
Ann's love of horses and her involvement in the equestrian world began at the age of eight with the assistance of her aunt, Tuke Shoemaker, who introduced Ann to Pony Club. This grew into a lifetime passion and career, and led to her meeting and marrying a giant in the equestrian world, Roger Haller.
Working both together with Roger and on her own, Ann traveled the nation and the world, working everything from local horse shows to huge international events. Through it all, she always found time to work with the United States Pony Club.
With her quick smile and can-do attitude, Ann made countless friends throughout the equestrian world, friends who are shocked and saddened by her sudden passing.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am this Saturday, August 31 at Trinity Episcopal Church on First Avenue in Columbus, with a reception following.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the United States Pony Club Annual Fund or to the Roger Haller Education Fund.
Thirty-five five-star horses presented today under sunny skies at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
If all goes according to plan in the first part of the extended weekend, we will see 36 horses galloping across Derek di Grazia's CCI5*-L cross-country course at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (DK3DE). We partnered up with the team at CrossCountry App to bring you a preview of both the five-star and CCI4*-s tracks this year.
Lights, cameras, action! The first formal horse inspection (which some might informally refer to as "the jog") at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) takes place this afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. While this part of the event is a fan-favorite historically based on the impeccable turnout of the horses and the stylish and forward fashion choices of the riders (we are looking at you Boyd Martin in hopes that you bring back the American flag suit circa 2022), it serves a very important purpose: ensuring that each horse is fit, sound, and ready to compete at the five-star level.
There are so many things to love about the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and the opportunity to peruse the booths of so many amazing vendors is definitely one of them! Don’t forget to stop by the USEA booth, located just behind the Rolex Stadium next to the large Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event booth, to stock up on all of your favorite USEA apparel.