United States Eventing Association

In Memoriam: Helena "Lana" Allaire duPont Wright (1939–2025)

The USEA is saddened to share the passing of Helena "Lana" Allaire duPont Wright. Wright of Chesapeake City, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home on April 23 at the age of 85.

Wright was a “First Lady” in the equestrian world. She was an avid and extremely accomplished horsewoman growing up in a foxhunting family in Delaware. After graduating from Oldfields School her life revolved around horses. In 1964 in Tokyo, Japan, she set a record as the first female to ride in Olympic three-day eventing, bringing home a team silver medal. In 1991 in Zwettl, Austria, she was a member of the first United States pair driving team to win a gold medal at a World Driving Championship.

Among her many equestrian accolades, in 2012 she was inducted into the United States Eventing Association Hall of Fame and in 2015 was awarded the United States Equestrian Federation Lifetime Achievement Award. The endurance challenge was one Wright was passionate about in both eventing and driving so it was a natural progression that her equestrian career continued to competing in endurance taking her to the Pan American Endurance Championship in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Wright continued to enjoy foxhunting long after her competitive years.

Wright touched countless lives sharing her love of horses, her knowledge, her horses, and property inspiring and encouraging young equestrians through the United States Pony Club. She was never happier than when taking her daughter and grandchildren on a picnic trail ride on horseback at Fair Hill (Elkton, Maryland) where she devoted hours designing and building combined driving and endurance riding courses for Fair Hill International.

A devoted mother and grandmother, Wright is survived by her daughter Lucy Dunne (Michael) of Reading, Vermont, and grandchildren Wright Morris, Beale Dunne, and Ridgely Dunne. She was predeceased by her parents Richard C. and Allaire duPont, brother Richard duPont, Jr, husband Dr. William Wright, and daughter Beale Morris.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made payable to “Fair Hill International, Inc.,” and sent in care of R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., P.O. Box 248 Rising Sun, MD 21911.

The USEA sends our deepest condolences to all of Wright's family, friends, and those in the equestrian community who are impacted by Wright's passing.