Debbie Atkinson, Farwell to a Friend

[Mach Two]

As some of you may already know, Debbie Atkinson passed away at Vanderbelt Medical Center in Nashville, TN the other day. Her ashes will be spread with those of her beloved Pantera, on her Kentucky Farm. She was a friend to all who knew her, competed with her or against her.
Though I no longer event (my own injuries stopped me several years ago) I still feel a bond with the eventing world, and enjoy the news...Debbie loved eventing so very much, it was her life blood.
Now, let's ride forward, with a salute to a wonderful horsewoman and friend.
Juni Fisher, Franklin, TN

[NeverTime]

Oh no, I am so very sorry to hear this. Her injury was such a tragedy, and it was so good to hear stories about her continued involvement with the horse community afterward. I didn't have the luck to know her, but it sounds as if our sport has lost a good friend. I'm so sorry.

[hey101]

Offering sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones. :cry:

[3dazey]

Fly free. We love you.

[flutie1]

God speed, Debbie!

[FlightCheck]

Farewell to someone who demonstrated what real courage and being true to oneself is.

[Auburn]

Godspeed, Debbie. Sending prayers for her family and loved ones.

[snoopy]

I am gutted to hear about this....a truely special lady for sure.

[secretariat]

Jingles and a tear. We were there when it happened. I truly believe it's better on the other side of the bridge.

[austin]

Chris Reeves wrote that after his accident he would sometimes dream about riding, and running, etc, then he would wake up and be brought back to his reality.

Let's hope that now Debbie is flying free.

[event1]

Oh-that is so sad. I saw her last year at Rolex with her little dog on her lap....and I thought she was the bravest person on the planet for being there. My condolences to all of her close friends and family. The eventing world has lost a gem. :cry:

[AppJumpr08]

Oh Sad :( :cry:

Fly free Debbie. We are all thinking of you and your family and friends.

[twistoffate]

God speed Debbie...May you now enjoy long rides with Pantera.

Jingles to her family and friends!

[BogyNme]

Godspeed Debbie :(

I know of her accident, but what caused her to pass away?

[CookiePony]

Goodbye Debbie, the world is better off for having had you in it.

[tecumsea]

Oh god, I had no idea, condolences and god speed.

[Lori T]

Oh how sad...I thought she was doing well. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

[LSM1212]

Very sad... I didn't know who she was so googled her name and this is what I found:

http://www.usea3.org/Debbie-Atkinson/index.html

[retreadeventer]

Thoughts and prayers for Debbie, jump the big ones with a perfect distance every time, have an awesome ride....

[eponacowgirl]

I didn't know Debbie, but my friends and new trainer were all close to her, it was hard for me to hear the news from my friends who had been so inspired by her. This is the first thing that popped in my head when I heard the news, I sang it in college, forgot it was used at Princess Di's funeral:

"May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
Remember me O Lord, when you come into your kingdom.
Give rest O Lord to your handmaid, who has fallen asleep.
The choir of saints have found the well-spring of life, and door of paradise.
Life: a shadow and a dream.
Weeping at the grave creates the song:
Alleluia. Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you."

[CANTEREOIN]

Go with God! You are an inspiration and your courage... remarkable. Condolences to your family.

[keeneland]

Rest in Peace Debbie...you will truly be missed.

[modoc]

Sending prayers to her family and loved ones. Peace, Debbie and please hug all our friends over there from all of us here.

[Reynard Ridge]

Condolences to Debbie's friends and loved ones.

[foxhavenfarm]

We are also sending condolences to Debbie's friends and loved ones.
As others have said before-fly free Debbie.

[Reds-n-Greys]

Godspeed Debbie. And my sincere condolences to all her family and friends.

[MandyVA]

Godspeed Debbie.

[maxxtrot]

godspeed debbie, may you forever ride free.
my thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.

[clivers]

Rest in Peace Debbie, and condolences to those whose lives she touched.

[zagafi]

Godspeed, Debbie. And peace and comfort to those left behind.

[2ndyrgal]

is sometimes more than big fences. Courage and guts take many forms, God bless her.

[pawsplus]

I just heard. . . . :( But I imagine her flying over an Advanced course on Pantera -- and now there is no risk for either of them. Just great big fences and the wind in their ears. And I think she's happy now.

Godspeed Debbie.

[Painted Wings]

Gallop on Debbie

[annikak]

Brave brave woman.

So sorry for her family, but glad that she no longer has the ties that bind, and she can do what she wants.

What a lovely lovely woman....:cry::cry::cry:

[olympicdreams04]

Had it not been for Debbie and her undying enthusiasm to the sport I loved, I would never have gotten into eventing. Thank you Debbie, you will be missed greatly.

[fooler]

A great loss for us
A great gain for Heaven

Godspeed

[sullivansluck]

We'll miss you Debbie! Have wonderful rides forever. I'll try and remember all that you taught me. Thank You!:(:sadsmile:

[canyonoak]

My deepest sympathy to Debbie's family and friends.

Godspeed, Debbie, and fly high, now and forever.

[Fred]

Adding my deepest heartfelt prayers and sympathy for Debbie's friends and family.

[TB or not TB?]

I did not know her personally, but am awed by her tremendous courage. Godspeed. :cry:

[CookiePony]

Her obituary listing is here:
http://www.legacy.com/WashingtonPost/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=118265090

There is a link to a guestbook where you can write a message.

[Eventcrazy]

She will be missed! God bless

[Becka]

I'm always said to hear of someone passing....however, I have to admit, when it's a "horse lover"....it's always so much more than that to me.

Sending thoughts and prayers to her friends and family.

Godspeed Debbie.....run free with the ones you love in Heaven!!

Becka

[elizabeth Callahan]

She is now riding again. My deepest condolences to all her family and friends.

[Noctis]

Godspeed Debbie, we will miss you so much, but you are riding free now. My thoughts are prayers are with everyone still here. *hugs*

[Carol Ames]

i am so sorry:cry: to hear this and had hoped and prayed as you all did that she would improve enough to go home:yes: again;though, as have learned that that does not mean freedom from medical issues:no:; i 'v been in the ICU at least 7 times this past year and though I've always "gotten out " once after being in a dreadful:mad: nursing home; I have exhausted all insurance for physical therapy because after all; according to the "medical experts":winkgrin: I am not going to improve, also unfortunately, i have been diagnosed with hypoxic respiratory failure:eek:;meaning that i must now be on oxygen 24/7:(; though it shocks:eek: people who just meet me; I have an excellent aide and good friend,:yes: Neil spokes who manage my oxygen needs ; and a wonderful church "brother ;)"who has taken over my "oxygen ministry "It takes a lot of extra effort on everyones' part, but; God has blessed me with the lessons I've learned from:yes: eventing; and wonderful friends; I know I am being healed:yes: and still pray for and expect a full recovery:yes: Sorry, i did not intend to digress so far from the passing of Debbie:no: but, pray for her swift and pain free transition :yes:across the Rainbow bridge:yes:, and peace and comfort to all who grieve:yes: her passing .If there is going to be a wake you might consider asking people to write down their fondest memories, how they will always remember Debbie ;) there will be tears :cry: but, also smiles, and:yes:laughter:D, think of it as a loving and joyous celebration of her life :yes:

[La Gringa]

My sincerest condolences to all her family and friends. Sad news.

[AmberWriter]

Condolences to Debbie's family and friends. She was such a strong, hardworking person who always had time for her many devoted students. She also made a huge difference in the life of one of my best friends and for that I am forever grateful. I hope that she and Pantera are together again to enjoy many long rides together.

[BBowen]

Truly sad news. I did not know Debbie, but everything I have ever heard has been good. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and all those close to her. RIP, Debbie.

[blackwatch86]

What sad news. At least she will be with her beloved horse.

Does anybody know how old she was?

[monstrpony]

I'm sad to read this, but there is some comfort in knowing she is freed from her misfortune. I take some small consolation, as well, in knowing that Lucky (monstrpony himself) was there to greet her. I've thought of her often since I had to put him down last spring.

Debbie was a special person. Condolences to those who were close to her.

[SR Rider]

My sympathies to Debbie's family and friends. I was one of the first people to be by
her side immediately following her accident. I prayed for God to give her superhuman
peace and strength then. She has it at last.

[schultzicu718]

Condolences to Debbie's Family. Those of us who knew her, will miss her forever. Kari