FRANK GRAHAM
Show jumping rider Frank Graham died unexpectedly at his home in Elmhurst, N.Y., on July 9. He was 50.

Mr. Graham was born in Boston and was introduced to horses at a young age. He grad-uated valedictorian at Hyde Park High School and received a full scholarship to Tufts University (Mass.) where he served as the captain of the equestrian team. Medical complications prevented him from completing his studies.

He began working full-time in the horse world as a rider for the Royal Lipizzaner Horse Show, moving on from there to teach, ride and train at several stables in New Jersey and New York.

Mr. Graham specialized in dealing with problem horses and was successful at motivating them to perform well. A highlight in his career was when he owned and rode The Fall under the guidance of trainer Sam Campbell of Australia. Aboard The Fall, Mr. Graham won a puissance in Connecticut at 7’6″.

After a stint in the racing business, Mr. Graham concentrated on his own horses. He and Manny Too placed third in the 2003 Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper national standings and then moved up to first place in 2004, again under the tutelage of Campbell.

“These are remarkable accomplishments for someone with multiple medical complications and serious mental disabilities, which were kept carefully under control by concerned and helpful doctors,” said Edmund D. Harrison, Mr. Graham’s devoted guardian and companion of 33 years.

Mr. Graham is survived by: his mother, Rose McGuire; brothers Andrew and James; sister Patricia, all of the Boston area; and an aunt and uncle, Robert and Judy Graham, of Cape Cod, Mass.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Frank Graham Fund at the United States Equestrian Federation, Inc., 4047 Iron Works Pkwy., Lexington, KY 40511.   Staff

AMY YLVISAKER REISTRUP
Grand prix rider Amy Townend Ylvisaker Reistrup of Lexington, Va., died July 7 following a battle with cancer. She was 43.

Mrs. Reistrup was a professional rider and trainer who was based out of her AYR Show Stable in Lexington, along with her husband, Gordon Reistrup.

Mrs. Reistrup was a riding instructor, intercollegiate coach and grand prix competitor. As a junior, she was successful with the junior hunters Just Flash and Life’s Pursuit. At the University of Virginia, Mrs. Reistrup was captain of the school’s equestrian team from 1983 to ’85. She qualified for the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association and Affiliated National Riding Commission championships all four years of her collegiate career, winning the ANRC team and individual championship titles in 1984 and ’85.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she continued to show in the amateur-owner jumper division. Aboard Nebraska, she contested her first grand prix. A highlight of her grand prix career was winning the 1999 Grand Prix de Penn National World Cup qualifier with Thin Air and earning an invitation to compete in Las Vegas in the 2000 World Cup Finals.

Throughout her career, Mrs. Reistrup worked with trainers Wendy and Paul Matthews in a relationship that lasted more than 20 years.

Last September, Mrs. Reistrup returned to intercollegiate coaching for Washington & Lee University (Va.). She led W&L to its first Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship title in 2006 and was named 2006 ODAC Equestrian Coach of the Year. She also helped train W&L rider Caitlin Lane for the 2006 IHSA Nationals.

Mrs. Reistrup was preceded in death by her brother, William W. Ylvisaker. She is survived by her husband; mother, Ellen (Robin) Raymond; father, William T. Ylvisaker; sisters, Laurie and Elizabeth Ylvisaker; brother, Jon Ylvisaker; and daughter, Rebecca Mispel.

Memorial donations may be made to the Rockbridge Area Hospice, P.O. Box 948, Lexington, VA 24450.   Staff

MARY LOU REESE
California horsewoman Mary Lou Reese died June 6 after an eight-month battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 80.

Although born in San Francisco, Calif., in 1925, Mrs. Reese began riding while living in England as a Pony Club member before moving to the United States during World War II. She rode at Mills College (Calif.) and was a member of the Cressmont Stables riding group.

In 1960, she was a founding sponsor of the Contra Costa Pony Club, later becoming its District Commissioner for numerous terms. In the latter 1960s, Mrs. Reese became involved with the national level of the USPC and eventually served as a national examiner and regional instruction coordinator for the Middle California Region. She was honored by the USPC as a Legend at the 2004 USPC Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

Mrs. Reese also served as points secretary and organizer for the 2004 USEA Annual Meeting in San Francisco, where she was awarded the Governor’s Cup.

A founding member of the California Dressage Society and board member of the Combined Training Equestrian Team Alliance, Mrs. Reese took pride in assisting with timing and scoring in the 1960 Squaw Valley, 1984 Los Angeles and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Mrs. Reese also taught the Briones Valley Pony Club, the Bay Hills Pony Club, and the Redwood Hills Pony Club.

Mrs. Reese is survived by her husband, James Reese, son Chris Bearden, and daughter Mogie Bearden-Muller.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mary Lou Reese Memorial Fund, c/o Mogie Bearden-Muller or Chris Bearden, 1105 Bear Creek Rd., Martinez, CA 94553.   Staff

THERESA DITGES VOGT
Georgia horsewoman Theresa “Resi” Ditges Vogt died May 26 at her home from complications of a stroke. She was 89.

Born in D�sseldorf, Germany, Mrs. Vogt was the youngest of 13 children. During World War II, Mrs. Vogt worked for the German Army training cavalry horses.

She was a horsewoman, through and through, and she often developed favorite horses while preparing them for battle. She said more than once she would make a horse act up on purpose so the Army suppliers would think it wasn’t ready yet for combat.

Mrs. Vogt and her husband of 55 years, Joseph Vogt, a longtime German cavalryman, immigrated to the United States in 1952, where they worked at several stables in Virginia, Michigan and New York.

In 1955, they purchased land in Georgia to start their own farm and riding school, where Mrs. Vogt lived until her death. She taught riders and trained horses.

Mrs. Vogt and her husband also bred Lipizzans on their farm, standing up to four stallions, including Maestoso, Mrs. Vogt’s special companion for 34 years.

Mrs. Vogt was preceded in death by her husband. Survivors include two daughters, Vera Ines Vogt and Anneliese Vogt-Harber, and grandson, Michael Harber. She’s also survived by numerous nephews and nieces in Europe and South America.   Staff

GOLDMILL
Goldmill, Vicky Koss’ longtime partner, was euthanized June 1 at his home barn in Hailey, Idaho. He was 19.

From 1996 to 2001, the pair completed seven three-day events at the three-star level or higher. Their list of accomplishments includes completions at both Badminton and Burghley in England in 1998 and a return to Badminton in 1999. Goldmill was named The Chronicle of the Horse’s Eventing Horse of the Year in 1998.

From 2001 to 2004, “Barney” taught Koss’ son, David, the skills of eventing through the CCI* level.

“Unfortunately, we outlive our animals,” said Vicky. “But, I think everyone in our family feels lucky to have had one like him.”

Goldmill was retired from competition and being ridden by the Koss family’s veterinarian, Jennifer Card, when he became ill this spring. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.   Staff