wash bishop passes away

[snoopy]

http://www.eventingnews.com/stories.php?news=20090511A-Wash-Bishop&title=Wash%20Bishop


I wanted to wait to pass this on until his family allowed the information to be released.


This is very very sad news.

Wash was an incredible rider, trainer, and man. He has done alot with and for our sport over the decades.

[Miriam]

What a tragedy. Condolences to the family.

[LAZ]

That is such sad news. My condolences to his friends and family.

[snoopy]

There will be a memorial for him in middleburg on thursday. I am not sure if this is open or private.

[retreadeventer]

I too knew Wash. Jingles and best to the family! He will be missed!

[Reynard Ridge]

We'll keep family and friends in our thoughts.

[fordtraktor]

My condolences to family and friends for this tragedy.

[Hunter's Rest]

Snoopy
Please if you can give more info on the memorial service -- my mom was in pony club with him down in Alabama. they were both A's, I think.
How terribly sad.

[cinnabar]

So very sad. I just don't have the words...

[snoopy]

Snoopy
Please if you can give more info on the memorial service -- my mom was in pony club with him down in Alabama. they were both A's, I think.
How terribly sad.


The memorial will be this thursday at 4pm at welbourne in middleburg.

[grzywinskia]

What a terriable tragedy. I don't even have words

[BarbB]

oh how sad. What a loss.

[denny]

Thanks, Snoopy, for letting us know. So terribly sad.
His family is in our thoughts.

[JSwan]

I am shocked and terribly saddened.


My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

[monstrpony]

How very sad. Those close to him are in my thoughts.

[clivers]

How very, very sad.
:(

[flyingchange]

My most sincere and deepest condolences to his family and friends. Tragic news.

[Carol Ames]

I'm very shocked! :eek: How old was he? Do you have any more details?:cry:

[VirginiaBred]

My condolences to his family.

[jumpsnake]

My condolences as well. Very very sad news for us all.

[Shrapnel]

my condolences. :( very sad news.

[annikak]

So very very sad... Deeper demons are the hardest ones to cope with. So sorry for everyone, and esp. for Wash...:cry::cry::cry:

[TKR]

Very shocked and saddened to hear this news. Wash's sister is a friend of mine and lives nearby. I cliniced with him years ago. Terrible tragedy and all the folks down here are deeply saddened.
PennyG

[ann kitchel]

Very sad news. My condolences to the family. Wash used to frequent our events and was a wonderful coach to our Mara Dean...............

[Fred]

Very sad. My most sincere condolences to his friends and family

[LLDM]

My deepest condolences to all who were close to him, especially his family, friends and students.

SCFarm

[bevfbur]

So sorry, he was a nice man and a great horseman. I am glad to have known him.

[Gry2Yng]

Deepest condolences to friends and family. He gave so much to the sport.

[longrun]

So very sad. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.

[CookiePony]

I'm very sorry to hear this. His family and friends must be in so much pain. I will be thinking of them.

[One Star]

Thanks, Snoops. :cry:

I had been sitting on my hands wondering when this would surface. My heart has been aching since Saturday. My deepest condolences go out to his family, and to all his friends in the eventing community and beyond. We will miss him.

[Mtn trails]

So very sad. Condolances to his family.

[IfWishesWereHorses]

Im in shock not only to read of his passing, but the circumstances also. How utterly tragic. Wash was VERY kind to myself and a friend when we were travelling to the US a few years back. he went out of his way to make things easy for us, and enabled us to have passes and lots of access at Fairhill etc. I still have the USET cap he also gave me...though Im not sure that he was supposed to be giving those to us lol. But, well, we asked for a souvineer and he figured that was a pretty good one to take home with us!

So tragic, I can only imagine what dark a place a person is in when they can't take life any more.

Condolences to his friends and family. So sad.

[MintHillFarm]

How sad for all, my deepest sympathy for his family...

[Reds-n-Greys]

My sincerest condolences to Wash's family and all who knew him....... So very sad.

[harveyhorses]

That is awful news, my deepest sympathy for his family and friends.

[BAC]

What incredibly sad news, I hope he is at peace now. Condolences to his family and friends.

[frugalannie]

Deepest sympathy for his family, friends and acquaintences. My memories of him are filled with images that expressed his partnership with his horses.

Thanks, Snoopy for letting us know.

[Tackpud]

What sad news. I'm so sorry to hear about this. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.:cry:

[sumatra]

Annie and I appreciate all the condolences from every one. Just wanted to make sure everyone knew that the Memorial Service is open. It is at Welbourne, 22314 Welbourne Farm Lane, Middleburg at 4 on Thursday. Juliet

[RiverBendPol]

I never met Wash but do know through mutual friends what a lovely guy he was. My deepest condolences to all his friends and family.....

[colliemom]

I didn't know Wash, other than anecdotally through Carol K, but on two occassions (Loudon two weeks ago being one of them) we stood and eaves-dropped on the coaching he gave Carol after her ride on Sniff, and we felt like we should have written him a check for the knowledge that he imparted in such a short amount of time. Quiet and confident and obviously extremely competent and skilled.

What a sad, sad turn of events. Condolensces to all who knew and loved him. I only wish we had had the opportunity to know him as well, and to tell him how much we admired him from afar.

[southerneventgirl]

How terribly sad for his family and all who knew him. I can remember Wash was one of the first people I took a clinic from back when I started eventing when I was 12 (many many years ago!) and I can still remember the invaluable things he taught us.
He will be greatly missed! What a horseman! :cry:

[RunForIt]

I have admired Wash from afar since I began to follow eventing...if you could read, what else could occur? I wish his friends and family the peace that Wash decided to give himself. Wash DID decide to "kick on" in the way that allowed him to get over the obstacle that was killing him in this life. I hope that he can be remembered for that as much as every other thing he did.

Rest in Peace, Wash. You gave life, and horses, and people, and eventing, and so much more I'll never know about, so much.

[Regal Grace]

I have admired Wash from afar since I began to follow eventing...if you could read, what else could occur? I wish his friends and family the peace that Wash decided to give himself. Wash DID decide to "kick on" in the way that allowed him to get over the obstacle that was killing him in this life. I hope that he can be remembered for that as much as every other thing he did.

Rest in Peace, Wash. You gave life, and horses, and people, and eventing, and so much more I'll never know about, so much.


http://community.webshots.com/photo/fullsize/1078197028030319848fkkDEY

I did not take this picture but I thought I would link it here in rememberance of great horseman who will be missed very much by family and friends.

[RunForIt]

http://community.webshots.com/photo/fullsize/1078197028030319848fkkDEY

I did not take this picture but I thought I would link it here in rememberance of great horseman who will be missed very much by family and friends.

Thank you, ...shot taken at one of the two very best eventing places on earth, for horses and for their fortunate riders ....

[Auburn]

Wash and his sister, Becky, were members of the Cahaba Pony Club. I was a member of North River Pony Club. We always competed against them at rallies.

Pat Thuss from Patchwork Farm provided a great place from which to work, with Major Bela Buttykay as an instructor, Wash and his team members were unbeatable.

I remember that Wash used to have very long hair, when he was young. He was in a clinic with Bill Steinkraus at Timber Acres Ranch. Because of the long hair hanging our from underneath his hardhat, Mr. Steinkraus kept refering to Wash as "that young girl on the bay horse".

May God bless his family, during this terrible time. He was a great horseman. He will be missed. :sadsmile::sadsmile::sadsmile::sadsmile: May he find peace, where he could not find it here.

[snoopy]

I have admired Wash from afar since I began to follow eventing...if you could read, what else could occur? I wish his friends and family the peace that Wash decided to give himself. Wash DID decide to "kick on" in the way that allowed him to get over the obstacle that was killing him in this life. I hope that he can be remembered for that as much as every other thing he did.

Rest in Peace, Wash. You gave life, and horses, and people, and eventing, and so much more I'll never know about, so much.




What a wonderful post....I am sure his family and friends will appreciate the words and thoughts.

[snoopy]

May God bless his family, during this terrible time. He was a great horseman. He will be missed. :sadsmile::sadsmile::sadsmile::sadsmile: May he find peace, where he could not find it here.

Well said...

[sumatra]

I have admired Wash from afar since I began to follow eventing...if you could read, what else could occur? I wish his friends and family the peace that Wash decided to give himself. Wash DID decide to "kick on" in the way that allowed him to get over the obstacle that was killing him in this life. I hope that he can be remembered for that as much as every other thing he did.

Rest in Peace, Wash. You gave life, and horses, and people, and eventing, and so much more I'll never know about, so much.

Thanks so much for this, well said, Juliet (Annie's Mom)

[fooler]

My only knowledge of Wash was from the magazines and from afar. He always looked so comfortable astride and his horses very happy. Our world is a little dimmer without him. Rest in peace

[asterix]

Just like RunForIt, I have admired him from afar since I first learned what eventing was. My heart goes out to his family and his (I am sure very broad) circle of loved ones.

[jcmccarthy33]

I have known Wash since the day I was born so this comes as a hard blow. He rode my parent's horses and treated me like another daughter around the barn. My deepest sympathies are with his family, especially Annie.

Jenny McCarthy

[ToddRZaeske]

About 20 years ago, I had the pleasure of joining several folks from the Middleburg area, including Wash, on a waterskiing expedition somewhere about an hour south of town.
When it was my turn to ski, Wash was driving the boat. Not content to simply drive in a straight line for this relative beginner, he made several "moves" that brought me close to, amongst other things, rafts, other boaters and skiiers, and what I can only hope was a rather large log. After a near-miss with a low-hanging branch, I decided to express my displeasure in the only way I could think of that he would clearly understand from a distance.
I guess it was his enormous grin :D that should have told me I was in trouble. The boat veered right and in a flurry of hands and elbows in the driver's seat the boat suddenly dived to the left in a very tight 360 degree circle. Of course, I didn't make it the full 360 degrees as I swallowed about a gallon of river water. As I climbed back onto the boat, sputtering and gasping, Wash was still grinning. He patted me on the back, and ever the teacher, he simply said, "Never flip off the driver".
I have been away from the Middleburg "scene" since about 1992 but hold many great memories. Amongst the greatest is Wash's great big smile and larger-than-life personality. Although I didn't know him tremendously well, I am profoundly saddened by this news.
To Wash's many friends and especially to his family, my prayers are with you and I hope my simple little story brings a smile to your face as his memory does mine.
Best Wishes.

[austin]

I rode in clinics with him many moons ago when he would come to Florida. I remember him as a great teacher and horseman.

My condolences to all those that knew and loved him and to the horses and riders that will not benefit from his insight.

[clivers]

About 20 years ago, I had the pleasure of joining several folks from the Middleburg area, including Wash, on a waterskiing expedition somewhere about an hour south of town.
When it was my turn to ski, Wash was driving the boat. Not content to simply drive in a straight line for this relative beginner, he made several "moves" that brought me close to, amongst other things, rafts, other boaters and skiiers, and what I can only hope was a rather large log. After a near-miss with a low-hanging branch, I decided to express my displeasure in the only way I could think of that he would clearly understand from a distance.
I guess it was his enormous grin :D that should have told me I was in trouble. The boat veered right and in a flurry of hands and elbows in the driver's seat the boat suddenly dived to the left in a very tight 360 degree circle. Of course, I didn't make it the full 360 degrees as I swallowed about a gallon of river water. As I climbed back onto the boat, sputtering and gasping, Wash was still grinning. He patted me on the back, and ever the teacher, he simply said, "Never flip off the driver".
I have been away from the Middleburg "scene" since about 1992 but hold many great memories. Amongst the greatest is Wash's great big smile and larger-than-life personality. Although I didn't know him tremendously well, I am profoundly saddened by this news.
To Wash's many friends and especially to his family, my prayers are with you and I hope my simple little story brings a smile to your face as his memory does mine.
Best Wishes.


That was a great story. Thanks for posting, and welcome to the board :)

[Fergs]

Ah, the grin! Wash will be sorely missed in Middleburg and beyond. He was one of the great old-school event riders that I really wish we had more of today.

Condolences to Annie especially, and also to those who knew and loved him.

[Carol Ames]

I am still stunned does anyone know, if possibly he had a medical/ health related condition which, might have impeded his work with horses?:confused:

[flutie1]

Carol - you have a PM

[ctanner]

I am stunned and saddened by this news.
One of my fondest memories is of sitting at a kitchen table in South Hamilton,Ma.,with my friends,drinking beer and being kept in stitches by Wash.
Godspeed.

[snoopy]

I am stunned and saddened by this news.
One of my fondest memories is of sitting at a kitchen table in South Hamilton,Ma.,with my friends,drinking beer and being kept in stitches by Wash.
Godspeed.


definitely a piece of history gone too soon.

[cinnabar]

I was not able to attend the service, but understand it was a wonderful celebration of Wash's life.

[Carol Ames]

Thank you ?Flutie!:yes: This is all hitting "close to home :(" does anyone know how old he was?unfortunately, with age possibilities do decrease.:sadsmile:

[snoopy]

Thank you ?Flutie!:yes: This is all hitting "close to home :(" does anyone know how old he was?unfortunately, with age possibilities do decrease.:sadsmile:



53 yo. He was born in 25/9/1955.

[LexInVA]

He was 53. Relatively young but with a lifetime of experiences that younger contemporaries can only hope to accumulate.

[Carol Ames]

53. Relatively young but, if he was looking at a remaining lifetime ( 85?) of discomfort :(and inability to do his lifes' calling...:sadsmile: it becomes more understandable.:cry:
__________________
breeder of Mercury!

[MrWinston]

It brings to mind Gene Cunnigham who had a brain tumor and apparently decided not to go the route. He judged me just a few months before and petted a rescue dog with great affection. One more great hosrseman gone too soon. RIP brave one. If anyone can tell why..........please do.

[LexInVA]

Only those who knew him can say what he had if anything, and the gist of some of what they have said in this thread is that he did have a life-threatening or debilitating illness, so I think it was just a decision that he made for himself if that was indeed the case. It's "normal" in a psychological sense for a person to consider suicide when faced with the likely prospect of an unpleasant death or inability to live the remainder of their lives in a way that is acceptable to them. That doesn't mean it's right or wrong. Just how the human mind works. At any rate, let us not dwell on his last thoughts or what brought him to that place where none of us should ever hope to find ourselves, and remember him for the man he was.

[Carol Ames]

debilitating illness, so I think it was just a decision that he made for himself if that was indeed the case. It's "normal" in a psychological sense for a person to consider suicide when faced with the likely prospect of an unpleasant death or inability to live the remainder of their lives in a way that is acceptable to them. That doesn't mean it's right or wrong. Just how the human mind works. At any rate, let us not dwell on his last thoughts or what brought him to that place where none of us should ever hope to find ourselves, and remember him for the man he was.

[Anyplace Farm]

Very sad to hear. I met Wash about 20 years ago when I was just getting my start in the horse biz. I thought everyone in the horse world must be as nice as him. Of course I learned otherwise. Very sad to hear...

[snoopy]

Does anyone know what medical condition he had? or his relationship status?
I wish his friends and family comfort in their time of need.



I have debated whether or not to respond to this and a few other posts...

Wash battled his own challenges....he did not have a physical medical condition that prevented him from doing what he loved to do. I am sure his family and friends were supportive in the best ways they could be.

With regards to his relationship status, not relevant actually.

I know that his daughter reads this thread and I would just like to point out that due to the circumstances surrounding his passing that it is bad form to speculate on his medical condition or his relationship status. His family has issued an obit with the information they feel is relevant....had they wanted to go into greater detail they would have.

Wash gave a lot to this sport (and many other things he chose to do) and I would hate any specualtion regarding his death to over shadow what he achieved in life...

[flutie1]

I have debated whether or not to respond to this and a few other posts...

Wash battled his own challenges....he did not have a medical condition in so far that he was dealing with physical issues that prevented him from doing what he loved to do. I am sure his family and friends were supportive in the best ways they could be.

With regards to his relationship status, not relevant actually.

I know that his daughter reads this thread and I would just like to point out that due to the circumstances surrounding his passing that it is bad form to speculate on his medical condition or his relationship status. His family has issued an obit with the information they feel is relevant....had they wanted to go into greater detail they would have.

Wash gave a lot to this sport (and many other things he chose to do) and I would hate any specualtion regarding his death to over shadow what he achieved in life...

Thank you Snoopy. Wash was a private person - and his privacy should be respected even after he's gone. Better to remember the great things about him, and the empty space that's left behind.

Flutie

[cyberbay]

Yes, but it is perfectly 'normal' for people to want to understand. That is all that they are asking to be able to do. Not gossip, not get ugly, but just to understand.

A mysterious death, left unexplained, is what causes people to speculate. Not the other way around. And the info will get out sooner or later, so better to put it out there factually and immediately than to let speculation -- the product of no information -- carry the day. People are going to speculate whether or not you shake your finger in their face and call it 'bad form.' And the speculating I've seen on this thread, so far, has been of the sympathetic and gentle form.

It's better, IMO, to provide information for people than withhold it knowingly -- this is a public forum and someone put up the OP. I trust that people coming onto the thread have the common sense to cope with the information in a humane way.

[Lori T]

How sad, my condolences to his family.

[BAC]

It's better, IMO, to provide information for people than withhold it knowingly -- this is a public forum and someone put up the OP. I trust that people coming onto the thread have the common sense to cope with the information in a humane way.

I think the family's wishes should be respected, they have provided the information they wanted to be made public and its in very poor taste to continue any further speculation.

[monstrpony]

If people can cope with information in a humane way, then I would hope they can cope with the absence of information in the same way.

The family has a right to privacy.

[Daydream Believer]

Oh How awful. My condolences to his family as well.

[Gunnar]

Godspeed to you Wash!:sadsmile: After reading the thread I realize you were a loved and respected Horseman!:yes: Hopefully you are in a better place now! :sadsmile:

[harveyhorses]

If people can cope with information in a humane way, then I would hope they can cope with the absence of information in the same way.

The family has a right to privacy.

Thank you, the public does not have a right to know everything.
There are some things that can never be answered.

[LexInVA]

Some would argue that in and around Middleburg, there is no expectation of privacy unless you've got enough hush money to pay for it, but hopefully respect and courtesy will win out over a lack of humanity. Or so we can hope anyway.

[pixietrix]

I have resisted responding to the speculation and hearsay in this thread as well....I find it extremely tasteless that Wash's memory should be clouded by a public scrutiny of his passing.

He was the finest horseman I have ever had the privilege to ride in front of and I am struggling with the notion that he won't be a phone call away from really good advice anymore.

Wash was looking for peace and I pray he has found it, I just wish I had told him how much I respected him more often. Snoopy described it best, his body let him down and I don't think there was much on the horizon for him to aim for, other than the ducks!

I choose to remember the good times.

CK

[harveyhorses]

Some would argue that in and around Middleburg, there is no expectation of privacy unless you've got enough hush money to pay for it, but hopefully respect and courtesy will win out over a lack of humanity. Or so we can hope anyway.


True, very sad, but true. I do hope respect and courtesy will make a return.

Love your Snoopy/CMP bits.

[flutie1]

I have resisted responding to the speculation and hearsay in this thread as well....I find it extremely tasteless that Wash's memory should be clouded by a public scrutiny of his passing.

He was the finest horseman I have ever had the privilege to ride in front of and I am struggling with the notion that he won't be a phone call away from really good advice anymore.

Wash was looking for peace and I pray he has found it, I just wish I had told him how much I respected him more often. Snoopy described it best, his body let him down and I don't think there was much on the horizon for him to aim for, other than the ducks!

I choose to remember the good times.

CK

Amen.
Godspeed Wash!

[sumatra]

Thank you, the public does not have a right to know everything.
There are some things that can never be answered.

Or need to be answered. Annie and I would appreciate you respecting our privacy. This has been a great thread, keep the great stories coming. The service last Thursday was truly a Celebration of Life, and that's the way we would like it to continue. He is very much missed, as you all have said. He's at peace, let him stay in peace, remember the good times. Thanks, Juliet

[Mach Two]

Godspeed to you Wash, I remember your great smile, your keen sense of horsemanship and sportsmanship. May you sail through the universe on a new plane, and feel the sun on your face.
And I wish peace of mind to those who really knew and loved him...our hearts are with you.

[colliemom]

I have resisted responding to the speculation and hearsay in this thread as well....I find it extremely tasteless that Wash's memory should be clouded by a public scrutiny of his passing.

He was the finest horseman I have ever had the privilege to ride in front of and I am struggling with the notion that he won't be a phone call away from really good advice anymore.

Wash was looking for peace and I pray he has found it, I just wish I had told him how much I respected him more often. Snoopy described it best, his body let him down and I don't think there was much on the horizon for him to aim for, other than the ducks!

I choose to remember the good times.

CK

I am not a religious person, and I don't use this word lightly, but all I can say to this is ... Amen.

Go in Peace, Wash, and hopefully, wherever you are now, you will know how much you touched people's lives.

[Mach Two]

There has been a painfully clear request for privacy...I do hope everyone will respect this request, and just share kindess and fond memories.

[flutie1]

What a loss. Is there more info on his medical condition?

Oh for God's sake - can you spell PRIVACY?
Get over it!

[TKR]

I have an old video of a clinic I did with Wash back in the 80's on my beloved Thoroughbred, Flutie. He was pretty wound up the first day of dressage & a little jumping and Wash scolded me (and Flutie) for his antics, LOL. But the second day Flutie was the star of our group and I was so pumped because Wash praised his ability, form and behavior. It was a thrill for me! Flutie is gone and always missed. It was held at the farm his sister managed and he had a great turnout. He was a devoted, talented and knowledgable horseman -- Godspeed Wash!
Prayers to his family.
PennyG

[goobs]

TKR - is there a way to view your video? I would love to see it. I never knew Wash but from reading this thread he sounded like a beautiful man who will be so missed. The point is that he is gone and the world seems a bit dimmer without people like him around. How sad for his loved ones left behind - my deepest sympathy to them. I am sure he has found everlasting happiness wherever he is now.

[TKR]

Goobs -- I would love to share it, but it's on an old VCR videotape (big) and I have no idea how it could be copied.
PennyG

[BAC]

Goobs -- I would love to share it, but it's on an old VCR videotape (big) and I have no idea how it could be copied.
PennyG

There are stores that do this, I have had old videotapes copied and duplicated and have also had them turned into DVD's, my local camera shop does this for a very reasonable price.

[BAC]

What a loss. Is there more info on his medical condition?

I agree with flutie1, get over it! Your only two posts ever on COTH and both are in extremely poor taste, what's your problem?

[goobs]

BAC - don't feed into xcnut's lack of etiquette. TKR - bummer! But if you ever decide to get that done and post it would be a great thread starter and tribute to Wash! If anyone else has any videos to post it would be wonderful!