United States Eventing Association

The USEA is saddened to hear about the passing of Mary Annette "Minna" Renz (nee Kelly) who passed away quietly in the early hours of October 22nd, 2025, at the age of 96. She had been in long-term care in Uxbridge, Ontario, for the last three years of her life.

Born in Dublin, Minna was fortunate enough to have a post-war childhood and youth that revolved aroundagriculture and horses. From an early age, she was a talented horsewoman. Horse racing was in thefamily blood, and she always regretted that the rules barred her from racing alongside her brothers (Martin and Ted), both amateur jockeys. However, she thrived on the challenges of riding to hounds. Itwas hunting that developed her natural talent, bravery and horse-sense, which would serve her well in the future. While still living in Ireland, her exploits included winning a Silver Medal at the Dublin Horse Show.

After having three children with Anthony Austin in Ireland, she found herself on the way to Canada withher new husband, Hans Renz, in early 1968. The Canadian Equestrian Team had selected him to trainthe Three-Day Team for the Mexico Olympics. It was at the training camp, held at Graham Ranch outside Calgary, that she forged a relationship with the Graham family. The Cattos of Schomberg and theSculthorpes of Port Hope were two other families that were, at various times throughout the rest of herlife, fundamental to her overall happiness.

After the Mexico Olympics, she and Hans moved to Ontario and became increasingly immersed in thegrowing sport of Eventing. She loved the sport, mainly because, like hunting, men and women were equals. She competed both in Canada and the United States. A number of her peers would go on to represent their countries. While still competing, she also began to get involved in how the sport was run. She was a founding member of the Ontario Horse Trials Association. She also began the process ofgetting her national and international credentials as a coach and technical official.

Over the course of years as a coach and technical official, she touched many lives as a patient, empathetic and trusting coach. Pony Club was her passion. She recognized that the love of horses, theskills associated with the responsibility of looking after a dynamic, clumsy, athletic, goofy and trustinganimal, and the social skills of the pony club environment, were developing life skills. Appreciated by parents in the moment. And by the pony clubber with the benefit of hindsight.

She travelled extensively as a Technical Delegate and Steward. She walked many a barren hayfield in the Spring listening to a new organizer start their first-ever event. She would be there later in the summer, stuffing brush, flagging, advising, cajoling and encouraging. Her trademark blue VW was stuffed to the brim with everything needed to make an event run. This included a personalized chainsaw and an iron bar called Albert. Eyebrows might have been raised by some. But never was a word spoken. Her constant traveling companion was always a Jack Russell terrier (too many to name here).

On show days, she oversaw the competition with a firm yet fair hand. Her sharp tongue did not discriminate between an Olympic-level rider or a beginner if they broke the rules. The message was always the same: “You choose to be here. Your horse is here because they trust you. Never forget that.’

She rode, worked and partied alongside all sorts of people who all shared the love of horses and the sport. She was involved in five Olympic Games (Mexico, Montreal, Los Angeles, Seoul, and Atlanta) as a volunteer, steward or in whatever capacity she felt would contribute to a safe and fair competition.

Minna was the 1996 recipient of the Wofford Cup one of the most distinguishable honors in U.S. eventing.

That same year, she suffered a massive brain aneurysm. The fact that she survived virtually unscathed, mentally and physically, was probably a testament to her inner strength and determination. Her recovery was nurtured by many games of Scrabble with her most trusted friend in a bucolic setting just outside Port Hope. She never returned to officiating or teaching. She settled into a quiet, semi-isolated life with a trusted Jack Russell as company. At the age of 81, she returned home with Poppy, a 10-week-old Jack Russell puppy.

Regretfully, her mind and memories were robbed from us all by dementia. The biggest sadness is probably that her five grandchildren never truly knew the vibrant, passionate, skilful, powerful, funny, sarcastic and beautiful woman that she was. But her true legacy can be found every time you stand near the cross-country start box. You will often hear the blessing from the Starter that is an instruction, an encouragement and a reminder to the rider of their responsibility: “Have a good ride.”

Minna was predeceased by her daughter Caroline (grandchildren Alice, Richard and Georgina) and survived by her two sons, Peter and Nicholas (grandchildren Jennifer and Julia). She will be missed by many, including family and Poppy. Her ashes will be returned home to her beloved Ireland. A Celebration of Life is planned for the future.

The USEA extends our deepest condolences to friends and family of Minna in this time.