American eventing has lost two popular figures this week. Former judge and technical delegate Col. Paul Wimert died early on Monday, March 21, after a long illness, at age 84. And rider Beale Morris died suddenly on Tuesday night, March 22, after being briefly hospitalized with an undetermined illness. She was 34.
Col. Wimert participated in a variety of equine sports while pursuing a high-level career in the U.S. Army. He owned and bred steeplechase horses, he owned, bred and trained event horses while encouraging his late daughter, Paula, in her eventing career, and he loved to foxhunt, most often with the Loudoun Hunt West, near his farm in Waterford, Va.
He was also deeply involved in the administration of the Westmoreland Davis Equestrian Center at Morven Park in Leesburg, Va., and provided the inspiration for the schooling cross-country course that bears his name there, opened 10 years ago. He was a busy and popular judge and technical delegate until he became ill several years ago.
Col. Wimert is survived by Pat, his wife of 60 years, sons Michael and David, and daughter Brooke. A memorial service has been tentatively set for April 1.
Morris, of Middleburg, Va., was an experienced rider and trainer, having completed the Rolex Kentucky and Burghley (England) four-star CCIs on Pathfinder. In 1998, she rode Pathfinder to third place in the three-star at Kentucky. Last October, she placed second in a division of the Morven Park CCI* (Va.) on In the Loop, slightly more than five months after giving birth to her first child, a son named Wright.
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In addition to her son, Morris is survived by her husband, steeplechase trainer Neil Morris; by her parents, Dr. William and Lana Wright; and by her sister, Lucy.
In August 1995, Col. Paul Wimert (right) opened the schooling cross-country course at Morven Park (Va.) named in his honor with Maureen McDonald, then the park’s executive director.
Beale Morris on Pathfinder, her four-star horse.
