Walter Straus, nationally recognized horseman, equestrian leader and mentor, died July 22. He was 89.
The son a horseman and cavalry officer, Mr. Straus began riding at the age of 7. He pursued his bachelor of arts degree at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) and immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1938.
By 1942, Mr. Straus was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army, serving in the 99th Infantry during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a major and highly decorated war hero in 1946.
After the war, Mr. Straus settled in Fort Worth, Texas, and opened Walter Straus and Son, Inc., a national and international wholesale meat trading operation.
Mr. Straus resumed his riding career in the late 1950s, and horses soon became the focus of his life. In 1960, he built the first Three Day Farm in Bedford, Texas, and in 1969 the second Three Day Farm was built in Fairview, Texas. This second farm became the site for numerous horse shows, dressage competitions and horse trials as well as a training facility. In 1992, Mr. Straus sold Three Day Farm and began teaching full time until 2007.
In 2005, Mr. Straus received the prestigious Jimmy Williams Lifetime Achievement Award given by the U.S. Equestrian Federation.
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He served as a licensed official in multiple disciplines, including dressage, eventing, hunter, jumper, hunt seat equitation and international pentathlon. He also officiated at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and the 1987 Pan American Games.
Mr. Straus gave his time generously to many equestrian organizations. He was president of the U.S. Eventing Association, the Texas Hunter & Jumper Association, director of the USEF, trustee of the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation and a valued member of many committees.
Mr. Straus was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, in 1985. He is survived by daughters Jeanie Brazelton, Dallas, Texas; Diane Erne, Sarasota, Fla.; son Eric Straus, New Canaan, Conn.; and four grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the USET Foundation, 1040 Pottersville Rd., P.O. Box 355, Gladstone, NJ 07934 or the U.S. Eventing Association, 525 Old Waterford Rd. N.W., Leesburg, VA 20176.
