United States Eventing Association

Everyone has someone in their life who makes a great impression upon them, perhaps because of their actions towards others and how they live their lives. Let me tell you about a good friend to many, Dr. Mary Thompson.

Mary has been a part of Area V eventing for many years. Her profession as an equine vet has been invaluable to many of us as we prepare to show our horses and she is always available to help out a fellow rider with an ailing or injured horse. She has been a constant in leading our local pony clubbers and teaching good horse management.

Over the years Mary has had several eventing partners; many have retired to her back pasture along the way. But, as an adult amateur with a demanding career and a busy family with 3 kids, 2 of which are in college, competition sometimes has to be put on the back burner. In 2014, Dr. Mary had the opportunity to acquire a lease on Gar’s Little Man, who is owned by Elise Dunkerton-Harrell. Elise was in transition and looking for someone to take care of Little Man for a while until she decided what she would do with him. It was an offer that Mary couldn’t pass up so immediately she went to work forming a relationship with Little Man through his care and training. Then Mary began competing as time and money would allow.

In April 2015, Mary got a phone call from Elise telling her that she was ready to bring Little Man to Georgia and begin marketing him for sale. Elise told Mary that she would price him at $15,000.00 but if Mary wanted to buy him she would sell him to her for $10,000.00. She also told Mary that Little Man would be headed to Georgia after the April Holly Hills Horse Trials. This was pretty devastating news to Mary, as she really enjoyed riding Little Man and everyone who knew her saw that a connection had been made between the two of them. But Mary just viewed this as just another bump in the road of an adult amateur eventer and was grateful for the time she had with Little Man.

As Mary told us that her last ride on Little Man would be at Holly Hills Horse Trials, we all wished there was something that could be done about the situation.

Regis Webb, who has been Mary’s coach, trainer and dear friend for many years, decided that there was something we could do about Mary’s dilemma. On a Friday afternoon, exactly one week before the Holly Hills horse trials were to begin, Regis got on the phone and started contacting friends about raising the money needed to purchase Little Man for Mary. She then contacted Elise and Rick Dunkerton (her father) and explained what she was trying to accomplish. Of course Elise was thrilled with the idea and told Regis to go for it! The response was overwhelming and by 10am on Saturday morning, it was a sealed deal. Twenty-four individuals had committed to donating the total amount needed so that Little Man could become Mary’s very own eventing partner!

Now, all we had to do was keep this a secret and plan how we were going to surprise Mary on the Friday of Holly Hill. Once again Regis went to work organizing a “once in a lifetime” surprise party.

On that afternoon, after Mary, Regis and other students came back from walking the cross-country course, they all walked into the barn and – surprise! There was Little Man, standing in his stall with a bow on his halter, banners above his head, and his stall decorated in LSU colors, which just happens to be Mary’s alma mater. And of course there was a decorated cake and champagne to share with everyone. Not very often have we seen Mary speechless, but this surprise stopped her dead in her tracks! She was immediately surrounded by friends and family and she was overwhelmed by the amount of love and support she was witnessing. Rick Dunkerton, who was scoring for the Holly Hill horse trials, had his daughter Elise on the phone so she could hear what was happening. Mary’s husband, sister and kids were in attendance also. After Mary thanked everyone for this amazing gift, she immediately turned to Rick and asked him if he had Little Man’s papers with him! Everyone got a good laugh out of that!

What an amazing testament to who Mary Thompson is - a wonderful, caring person who would do anything for anyone, who loves not only her horse but all horses, and always has a kind and encouraging word for everyone she comes in contact with. Congratulations, Mary!