Washington D. “Wash” Bishop, an international eventer and former U.S. Equestrian Federation team selector, died at his home in Middleburg, Va., on May 9. He was 53.
Mr. Bishop was born on Sept. 25, 1955, and grew up in Birmingham, Ala. In 1973, he moved to Virginia to ride and train event horses. At age 16, he was invited to train with the U.S. Equestrian Team eventing squad with legendary coach Jack LeGoff. Ultimately, this unique opportunity led to a spot on the 1980 Olympic team, the 1995 European Championship team, and the 1996 Olympic short list.
Sarah “Sally” Rodman Swift, the author and creator of Centered Riding, died on April 2. She was 95.
Ms. Swift was born on April 20, 1913, in Hingham, Mass. At the age of 7 she was diagnosed with scoliosis or lateral curvature of the spine. Her first physical therapist was Mabel Elsworth Todd, author of The Thinking Body, who helped her into her 20s. Todd encouraged Swift in her riding, which she’d started as a small child.
Loxus, a talented hunter, jumper and eventer who carried the Bearak family for many decades, died on Feb. 19. He was 30.
Loxus, an Oldenburg gelding, was well known in the show ring and competed at the Pennsylvania National and the Washington (D.C.) International Horse Shows and was the North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association children’s/adult jumper champion when he and his rider, Mark Bearak, were both 19.
A few years later, he was the North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association champion in novice eventing with Mark’s mother, Arleene.
Henry Tompkins “Duffy” Rathbun, a passionate Thoroughbred race horse breeder and owner, died on March 19 from complications following a heart attack. He was 87.
Mr. Rathbun was born in Elmira, N.Y., and graduated from Amherst College (Mass.) in 1944 before serving on a U.S. Navy destroyer escort in World War II. He then attended law school at the University of Virginia but skipped his last classes to go to the races in Charles Town, W.Va., on a blind date, where he met his future wife, Sheilah. He graduated in 1948.
Harry G. Huberth, a passionate foxhunter and U.S. Equestrian Federation R-rated judge, died on March 22, in Pinehurst, N.C., after a brief illness. He was 88.
Mr. Huberth enlisted in the Cavalry in Fort Riley, Kan., and later served as a captain in the infantry. He was a highly decorated World War II veteran, earning the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts and the Croix de Guerre as the commanding Officer of B Company 141st Infantry Regiment.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use