PrintJohn E. "Jack" Cooper
Former National Steeplechase Association Executive Secretary John E. "Jack" Cooper died Sept. 9 at Rosehaven Nursing Home near his home in Litchfield, Conn. Mr. Cooper, who was recovering from pneumonia, was 93.
First hired by the NSA in 1932, Mr. Cooper was elected executive secretary in 1932 and held the position for 30 years. In addition, "Mr. Steeplechase," as he was often known, worked numerous racing-related tasks, including race secretary and handicapper.
Based out of New York, first at The Jockey Club's office and later at Belmont Park, Mr. Cooper and his small staff coordinated all aspects of the sport.
Under his watch, he saw increased participation, better officiating, and larger prize money. He would also weather the sport's transformation from a staple at the nation's racetracks to the increasingly popular one-day meets held today.
Best known publicly for his handicapping, Mr. Cooper once famously assigned a then-record 176 lbs. to 1950s steeplechasing great Neji for a race that Neji would lose by a nose to Benguala, carrying 147 lbs.
Forty years later, he recalled, "It's the purpose, of course, for a handicapper to provide a close finish. This I did, but I felt terribly that Neji was beaten."
Perhaps Mr. Cooper's greatest achievement was his role in the modernization of the sport's safety. Encouraged by Mr. Cooper, the NSA's leaders embraced the then-novel concept of the portable hurdle known as the National fence to replace the hard-to-build and-maintain natural hurdles. During Mr. Cooper's reign, the NSA also formed the Steeplechase Fund, benefiting jockeys and others in need.
In 1974 Mr. Cooper was presented with the F. Ambrose Clark Award for distinguished service to American steeplechasing. He retired from a professional role at the end of 1976, although afterward he regularly volunteered at race meets.
Mr. Cooper is survived by Grace, his wife of 67 years; daughter Joan Denu; and sons Robert Waide Cooper and John E. Cooper Jr., eight grandchildren and seven great-grand children.
Donations in his memory may be made to the National Steeplechase Fund c/o The National Steeplechase Association, 400 Fair Hill Dr., Elkton, MD 21921.
Lynn Groetsch Platou
Lynn Groetsch Platou, an active eventing competitor and volunteer from Folsom, La., died on Aug. 6 after a short bout with cancer. She was 55.
A native of New Orleans, Mrs. Platou was a dynamic member of the Southern Eventing and Dressage Association. Instrumental in producing the region's annual Watershed Horse Trials at her former residence in Folsom, Mrs. Platou was also an avid participant, frequently attending competitions across the southeastern United States. She also found the time to organize numerous eventing clinics in southern Louisiana, bringing in such clinicians as Jim Graham and Becky Douglas.
Friends and family attended a memorial mass and visitation in New Orleans on Aug. 12.
She is survived by her husband, Peter Platou Sr., stepchildren Nicolle Platou-Bivona, Peter Platou Jr. and Ashley Platou; siblings James H. Groetsch III, Jan Groetsch Lothering-ton, Jack P. Groetsch, Jeffrey P. Groetsch, John A. Groetsch; and her horse Murphy.
Donations in Mrs. Platou's memory may be sent to St. Francis Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 677, Abita Springs, LA 70420. Staff
Former National Steeplechase Association Executive Secretary John E. "Jack" Cooper died Sept. 9 at Rosehaven Nursing Home near his home in Litchfield, Conn. Mr. Cooper, who was recovering from pneumonia, was 93.
First hired by the NSA in 1932, Mr. Cooper was elected executive secretary in 1932 and held the position for 30 years. In addition, "Mr. Steeplechase," as he was often known, worked numerous racing-related tasks, including race secretary and handicapper.
Based out of New York, first at The Jockey Club's office and later at Belmont Park, Mr. Cooper and his small staff coordinated all aspects of the sport.
Under his watch, he saw increased participation, better officiating, and larger prize money. He would also weather the sport's transformation from a staple at the nation's racetracks to the increasingly popular one-day meets held today.
Best known publicly for his handicapping, Mr. Cooper once famously assigned a then-record 176 lbs. to 1950s steeplechasing great Neji for a race that Neji would lose by a nose to Benguala, carrying 147 lbs.
Forty years later, he recalled, "It's the purpose, of course, for a handicapper to provide a close finish. This I did, but I felt terribly that Neji was beaten."
Perhaps Mr. Cooper's greatest achievement was his role in the modernization of the sport's safety. Encouraged by Mr. Cooper, the NSA's leaders embraced the then-novel concept of the portable hurdle known as the National fence to replace the hard-to-build and-maintain natural hurdles. During Mr. Cooper's reign, the NSA also formed the Steeplechase Fund, benefiting jockeys and others in need.
In 1974 Mr. Cooper was presented with the F. Ambrose Clark Award for distinguished service to American steeplechasing. He retired from a professional role at the end of 1976, although afterward he regularly volunteered at race meets.
Mr. Cooper is survived by Grace, his wife of 67 years; daughter Joan Denu; and sons Robert Waide Cooper and John E. Cooper Jr., eight grandchildren and seven great-grand children.
Donations in his memory may be made to the National Steeplechase Fund c/o The National Steeplechase Association, 400 Fair Hill Dr., Elkton, MD 21921.
Lynn Groetsch Platou
Lynn Groetsch Platou, an active eventing competitor and volunteer from Folsom, La., died on Aug. 6 after a short bout with cancer. She was 55.
A native of New Orleans, Mrs. Platou was a dynamic member of the Southern Eventing and Dressage Association. Instrumental in producing the region's annual Watershed Horse Trials at her former residence in Folsom, Mrs. Platou was also an avid participant, frequently attending competitions across the southeastern United States. She also found the time to organize numerous eventing clinics in southern Louisiana, bringing in such clinicians as Jim Graham and Becky Douglas.
Friends and family attended a memorial mass and visitation in New Orleans on Aug. 12.
She is survived by her husband, Peter Platou Sr., stepchildren Nicolle Platou-Bivona, Peter Platou Jr. and Ashley Platou; siblings James H. Groetsch III, Jan Groetsch Lothering-ton, Jack P. Groetsch, Jeffrey P. Groetsch, John A. Groetsch; and her horse Murphy.
Donations in Mrs. Platou's memory may be sent to St. Francis Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 677, Abita Springs, LA 70420. Staff
