Jean “Terry” Campbell Tugman, a driving force in Hawaii’s dressage scene, died June 19 in Christchurch, New Zealand. She was 82.
Mrs. Tugman was born in 1927 in Middletown, Conn. She graduated from Skidmore College (N.Y.) in 1948 and later obtained her master’s degree in physical education from Smith College (Mass.). After graduating, she instructed at Russell Sale College and Skidmore in New York, where she taught several riding classes.
Mrs. Tugman was employed at Town & Country stables in Waimanalo, Hawaii, in the early 1960s. It was there she met her husband, Jack. The two married in 1963. After their wedding, they settled into their home in Kahaluu and began building Kaalaea View Farms Riding Academy, an equestrian center with the first indoor arena in Hawaii. At one time, the three-acre facility was home to 26 horses and innumerable dogs.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Tugman worked tirelessly to found and drive several equestrian associations in Hawaii, chiefly the Hawaii Combined Training Association (now known as the Aloha State Dressage Society) and the Hawaii Horse Show Association. She hosted many top-level clinicians, including Bert de Nemethy, Hans Moeller, Michael Handler, Dominique Barbier, Michael Herbert and Lockie Richards.
Mrs. Tugman was recognized for introducing eventing to the island and strongly believed the quality of horses and riders shouldn’t suffer due to its isolated location, though she did state particularly talented riders and horses ought to consider moving to the mainland to pursue their careers.
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Her inspiring passion for horses led Mrs. Tugman to teach a host of young riders at her center in Hawaii and elsewhere. In 1960, she earned her combined training technical delegate license and became qualified to judge hunt seat, equitation, saddle seat and jumper classes.
She was a devoted volunteer, traveling abroad to assist at the Olympic Games and World Equestrian Games.
Mrs. Tugman is survived by her husband; son Michael Tugman; daughter Katherine Phillips; and three grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Aloha State Dressage Society’s Terry Tugman Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 6494, Kaneohe, HI 96744
