United States Eventing Association

Stephen "Steve" Cushing McBroom, 1952-2016

"The education of a man is never completed until he dies." Robert E. Lee.Stephen "Steve" Cushing McBroom, born to be a horse trainer on September 5, 1952, completed his education on October 11, 2016 at his home in Floyd, Va. He is survived by the love of his life and best friend, Diane Craun McBroom; his daughter, Emily June McBroom Stilley; and his son, Michael Ross Agee McBroom. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jackson Tate McBroom Sr. and Helen June McBroom of Roanoke, Va.Stephen had many brothers, sisters, sons and daughters; of whom some were by birth, some by informal adoption, and others by years of mutual love, enduring friendship, and professional relationships.

Countless lives knew his gentle touch, his calm voice, and his keen wit and wisdom.To know Steve, however, one realized that his passion, purpose, and vision came from his life's work breeding, raising, training, and showing the horses at Owl Hollow Farm, home to his World Champion Morgan stallion, Van Lu Starbuck. Steve would readily tell you that he learned far more about the beauty and dignity of life from the gentle souls of the horses he trained than from most of his human interactions. Yet Steve was no miser with the life lessons he had learned as he was a fountain of wisdom to hundreds of friends and family members with whom he would share words of encouragement on a daily basis. In all of these things, Steve worked and lived with an intense sense of purpose and duty.

The great Virginian and soldier, Robert E. Lee, was Steve's hero and role model. As Lee once said, "You should do your duty in all things. You can never do more, you should never wish to do less." His duty done, the Gentleman Farmer of Owl Hollow leaves us with a solemn awareness of the value of our duty now.A celebration of Steve's life will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 10 a.m. in the Floyd County High School Gymnasium in Floyd, Va. A foundation is being established in Steve's honor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests future donations to this foundation be considered, details of which will be announced at his life celebration. Online condolences may be made at www.gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com, or on Facebook @gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.