United States Eventing Association

Mary Harper Hutchins, 90 years old, passed away suddenly Friday, October 14, 2022 at Alice Peck Day Hospital. She was born in New York City to Harold Harper, a partner at Harper and Matthews Law firm and Elizabeth (Roop) Harper, a reader for the Lighthouse for the Blind. Mary attended the Brearly School in NYC and went on to Mount Holyoke College, majoring in Mathematics.

Richard Mark Picken, 53, lost a courageous battle with cancer on August 13, 2022, dying peacefully at home. Born in the UK, he emigrated to Kentucky in 2013 and became an instant fixture on the US Equestrian Federation’s eventing and show jumping circuits. A top coach and trainer, he traveled throughout the USA and overseas with his students to competitions. He enjoyed coaching young riders and training inexperienced horses as much as he thrived under the pressure of an international championship.

Area V lost a dear member of the community earlier this week with the passing of Jan Michie. Jan Walling of Quail Run Farm penned the following obituary in memory of Michie:

Sara Gumbiner shared the news today that her long-time partner Polaris passed away at the age of 16. Her social media tribute to the Irish Sport Horse gelding reflected on their career together and all of the wonderful ways that he impacted her life and career.

We at Stable View are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Annie Goodwin, a beloved local rider. She was an exceptional eventer.

The tragic accident happened on Wednesday afternoon while schooling over a Training level obstacle. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injury shortly thereafter at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. The horse was not injured in the accident.

On May 19, 2021, Phelps Media Group announced the passing of its founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mason Phelps Jr.. Phelps passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at home of a heart attack.

Mason Phelps, Jr. was the epitome of a lifelong equestrian, maintaining an undeniable relevance in the sport that has defined his personal and professional life. His contributions to the equestrian world include being an Olympic athlete, groom, trainer, event manager, governance leader, media executive, and philanthropy organizer.

Will Faudree shared the news yesterday that his legendary event horse, Antigua, passed away at the age of 32. In a Facebook post he said:

“I always thought I would have something profound to write. A eulogy that would encapsulate the impact you had on my life. And maybe those words will come. You taught me what a work ethic is, how to think in slow motion and how to just keep going. You laid the foundation for a career I dreamed of as a kid. Thank you will never be enough. I will miss you every day- rest easy my friend.”

The great Ballynoe Castle RM passed away in his field on Friday, April 23, Buck Davidson reported on his Facebook page. “It’s with broken hearts that we share that today Reggie died peacefully in his field at our farm in Ocala. Now he can watch over everyone on cross-country tomorrow. He was a huge part of all of our lives for so many years and truly a horse of a lifetime.”

The Red Hills Horse Trials family has lost one of its own – Sylvia Coons Ochs, one of the founders, passed away on March 11, 2021. In 1998 Sylvia Ochs with co-organizer Sallie Ausley along with three other original organizing committee members and hundreds of volunteers began the first Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Florida.

This past weekend the USEA was notified of the passing of a true champion of eventing Tremaine Cooper. An athlete, course designer, builder, father, husband, son, friend, and so much more. Tremaine’s quiet, thoughtful approach resulted in tremendous advancements for the sport of eventing in all areas but especially in the safety and design of cross-country courses. Tremaine died in an accident while working outdoors, near his home.