Michele Lobsinger’s event horse Fozzy Bear died on July 20 from unknown causes. He was 20.

Lobsinger purchased the Appaloosa (Second Thoughts—Shamwari) from James Atkinson, who had competed him at the intermediate level in Canada.

“He was a perfect gentleman, very unique looking, built solidly and a superb jumper,” said Lobsinger.

Fozzy carried Lobsinger safely around many training and preliminary horse trials while she was a working student for J. Michael Plumb in Southern Pines, N.C. He also earned the 2000 Appaloosa Sport Horse Association Eventing Horse of the Year title, presented by the U.S. Eventing Association.

Fozzy then carried on with a dressage career with Whitney Domenich in Pennsylvania and participated in the Northeast Junior Young Riders Dressage Championships, where he was the equitation regional champion, placed second in the Prix Caprilli class and won “The Best Tail Award.”

After his retirement from eventing, Fozzy continued as a school horse and helped many young people learn how to ride. Most recently, Fozzy gave Dorothy Greenleaf, a retired event rider, a chance to enjoy the lovely trails throughout the Walthour Moss Foundation.

“He was one of a kind and the horse that you could trust with anyone,” said Lobsinger. “His short stub of a tail amused many as he waved and wagged it like a dog when he trotted down the center line at horse trials.

“Fozzy will be sorrowfully missed by all who knew and loved him and will be remembered as a horse that brought his riders home safely and never said ‘no’ to any request,” she added. “We know that there will never be another Fozzy Bear in our lives, and we are grateful to have been blessed by his presence for so many years.”