Best Seller
Best Seller, winner of the 1994 Fair Hill CCI*** (Md.) with Mark Weissbecker, was humanely destroyed on the weekend of Oct. 8-9 as a result of colic. He was 20.

Weissbecker said that Best Seller had twisted a section of intestine, “so the decision took just a few minutes.” Weissbecker found Best Seller as a 3-year-old after a brief and truly unremarkable stint at the race track. He was bred in Washington by Owens Farm, by Flag Officer—Pupcup, Cup Racer.

Best Seller also placed seventh the Rolex Kentucky CCI*** in 1995; eighth at the Burghley CCI**** (England) in 1995 and 16th there in 1996; third at the Rolex Kentucky CCI*** in 1997, finishing on his dressage score; 46th at the Open European Championships in 1997; and 12th at the first Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in 1998.

He’d been retired from competition since the late ’90s, living at owner Edward Linde’s Birch Hill Farm in Richmond, Mass. Until his death, Best Seller had been kept in work by Kay Tadeshi, a student of Weissbecker’s.

After the Fair Hill victory, Weissbecker described Best Seller as “a difficult horse to read. He’s a very quiet, laid-back horse.” He usually placed well in dressage and was known for his bottomless endurance.

“To ride yesterday on cross-country on a horse with his experience was certainly a treat because he’s so well-qualified to size up the fences,” said Weissbecker at Kentucky in 1997. Staff

Robert Zabriskie
Robert G. Zabriskie, of Southern Pines, N.C., an accomplished foxhunter and president of the Board of Directors of the Red Mountain Fox Hounds, died on Oct. 5 after a short illness. He was 72.

Horses were Mr. Zabriskie’s life. In his youth, he competed as an amateur steeplechase rider and three-day eventer. Years later, he would volunteer as a racing steward for the National Steeplechase Association at Tanglewood (N.C.). He also became director of racing for the Stoneybrook Races at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford. Mr. Zabriskie volunteered regularly at the Aiken, Camden, Charlotte and Fair Hill meets.

Mr. Zabriskie grew up riding as a member of New Jersey’s Junior Essex Troop. He later hunted with the Spring Valley Hounds (N.J.), Essex Fox Hounds (N.J.) and Moore County Hounds (N.C.) before whipping in at Red Mountain.

More than 30 years ago, he donated a trophy to the U.S. Combined Training Association to honor young preliminary-level horses. Called the DeBroke Trophy, after his favorite horse, he presented the trophy at the American Eventing Championships at the Carolina Horse Park just three weeks before his death.

In addition to his equestrian accomplishments, Mr. Zabriskie served in the U.S. Army. Mr. Zabriskie is survived by his wife, Patty Zabriskie, and sons Jeffrey and Peter.

Memorial donations may be made to the Walthour-Moss Foundation, P.O. Box 1098, Southern Pines, NC, or the Hooved Animal Humane Society, 10804 McConnell Rd., Woodstock, IL 60098.Staff

Oliver O’Toole
Show jumping groom Oliver “Ollie” O’Toole, of Tipperary, Ireland, and Wellington, Fla., died on Oct. 21 after a long battle with cancer. He was 30.

Mr. O’Toole had worked for Jeffery Welles and Triton Ventures for the past three years and this summer traveled to Hickstead (England) and Dublin (Ireland) with Armani and Sampras. He’d previously worked for Laura Kraut and was Liberty’s groom at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

In addition to being a highly respected horseman, Mr. O’Toole was a friend to riders and grooms, always with a smile. His many friends have established an award at the Winter Equestrian Festival (Fla.) to the groom who shares his dedication to horses and the sport.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Oliver O’Toole Memorial Fund, c/o Shamrock Ventures, 11928 Maidstone Dr., Wellington, FL 33414.Staff

Glynis J. Roth
Glynis J. Roth, an amateur event rider and veterinarian from North Richland Hills, Texas, died in a barn accident during the Holly Hill Fall Horse Trials in Benton, La., on Oct. 28. She was 50.

According to reports, Dr. Roth was killed when her horse, Indian Artifact, trampled her while trying to escape from his stall while she was watering him. She was competing at the event with her daughter, Maeve Roth-McFall, 15.

Dr. Roth had been a veterinarian at Richland Animal Hospital for 20 years.

She had been competing Indian Artifact, a Paint/Quarter Horse-cross, at training level for two years. They won a training level division at Crosstar Horse Trials (Okla.) on Sept. 3.

Survivors include her husband Tommy McFall in addition to daughter Maeve.

Memorial donations may be made to the Texas Veterinary Medical Association Katrina Disaster Relief Fund, 8104 Exchange Dr., Austin, TX 78754.Staff

Julia Mae Carrigan
Julie Mae Carrigan, who with her family opened Cedarwood Stables in Waco, Texas, in 1963, died on Sept. 28. She was 86.

Mrs. Carrigan, a patient and caring instructor, trained several Texas Hunter and Jumper Association pony hunter champions. She began the Huaco Pony Club and took Texas regional teams to the National Pony Club Rallies in the 1970s. She was active in Cedarwood’s breeding activities, always lending a hand with the colts and young horses.

Mrs. Carrigan spent many a late Friday night at her kitchen table preparing sand-wiches for the “card table” concession stand at the Saturday horse show. She was instrumental in the organization of the Central Texas Hunter and Jumper Association.

In the ’80s, Cedarwood hosted a multitude of horse shows and horse trials. Mrs. Carrigan continued to live at the farm and was always active, making the exhibitors welcome and providing a relaxed competitive experience.

In 1992, she was awarded a U.S. Combined Training Association Governors’ Cup for her volunteer services in Area V. In 1998, she received an award for hosting the longest-running horse trials west of the Mississippi.

Mrs. Carrigan is survived by sons Dennis and Dean Carrigan; honorary son Mike Stark; three grandsons; and two great-granddaughters.Staff

Eileen D. Lewis
Eileen D. Lewis, lifelong horsewoman from Washingtonville, N.Y., died on Sept. 8 after a long illness. She was 54.

Two weeks before her death, Mrs. Lewis drove herself two hours to the Monmouth County Horse Show (N.J.) to watch her son compete aboard her family’s new grand prix horse, Atreyu. Mrs. Lewis shared a love for horses with family and friends, introducing countless people to equestrian sport. Her best friend, Jill Genson, was Mrs. Lewis’ riding partner for 45 years.

Mrs. Lewis began her junior career at Hollandia Farms in St. James, N.Y. She trained there under Harry de Leyer. Mrs. Lewis moved to Missouri to attend Lynwood College, and while there she won a state reserve championship in the open jumper division on Fraternity. She shared Fraternity with her brother, Bruce Wolin, who eventually gave the horse to her.

In 1971, Mrs. Lewis moved to Virginia where she helped start the Roanoke Valley Horse Show, before leaving the horse world until 1990 to raise a family. Her children, Allen and Amanda, competed successfully as juniors. So in 1990 Mrs. Lewis decided to purchase “one trail horse.” Unbeknownst to her, this single horse would later inspire the establishment of a full barn.

She returned to Hollandia Farms in 1998 to operate it as Majestic Farms. Five years later, she opened her “dream farm,” called Bond Street Farm.

“Eileen will live on in our hearts and our love for horses forever,” said Allen of Mrs. Lewis.

In addition to her children and brother, Mrs. Lewis is survived by her husband, Steven E. Lewis, and siblings Michael Wolin and Harri Young.Staff

Wanroij
Wanroij, a leading sire of dressage horses, was humanely destroyed at DG Bar Ranch in California on July 27. He was 25.

Wanroij arrived in the United States in 1984 under the ownership of Tony and Betty de Groot. He began his successful sport and breeding career in 1985.

Wanroij showed through the Intermediaire level in the United States and competed successfully on the Florida circuit in 1991, qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Festival that year.

But Wanroij’s greater accomplishments arose from his role as a sire, perhaps due to the Thoroughbred and Trakehner influence in his pedigree. Siring a total of 146 registered offspring, his get include dressage and jumper champions, and he was popular with hunter breeders. He crossed well with both Thoroughbreds and warmbloods.

Of his female foals, 29 were accepted into the studbook, 13 received the star predicate, six are now Keur and two are preferent. He also sired 22 studbook-quality and eight star-quality geldings.

Some of his champion foals include the USDF Championship Series winner Tamika; Lexus, an all-breed and open award winner at Intermediaire level; and Madrigal, all-breed adult amateur award winner at Prix St. Georges. As a broodmare sire, he produced Utopia, reserve champion in the 3-year-old filly class at Dressage at Devon (Pa.) in 2004.

“Thinking back,” recalled NA/WPN jury member Faith Fessenden, “he set a high standard right from the beginning for Dutch stallions in the fledgling North American department.”Staff

Kiki Dee
Champion show hunter Kiki Dee was humanely destroyed on Aug. 28, after a long illness. She was 29.

Kiki Dee was born in Woodbridge, Va., and her career spanned the ’70s and ’80s in Virginia, Maryland and Texas. She achieved multiple championships and reserve championships throughout her 11-year career, including many local shows and benefits at her favored Frying Pan Park in Herndon, Va., with lifetime owner Sheryl Remick.

Kiki Dee retired to the Fort Hood Hunt and Saddle Club stables in Texas, where she helped Pony Clubbers pass the jumping portions of their C and D ratings.

A large red oak tree was planted in Kiki Dee’s honor, and a memorial donation was made in her name to help equine victims of Hurricane Katrina.Staff

Mary Hoffman
Mary Hoffman, a popular participant in the driving world, died on Oct. 11 after a short illness. She was 73.

Mrs. Hoffman was the widow of the late George Hoffman, former Gladstone Equestrian Association president and advanced singles driver. “Mary was the rock for George; content to stay behind the scenes, let him do his thing and help when needed. They were quite a pair,” said Heather Walker, Garden State Driving Event organizer.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Diane Hoffman, and son Jeff Hoffman.

Memorial contributions may be made to Flemington Baptist Church, 170 Main St., Flemington, NJ 08822; the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 120 Wall St., 19th Floor, New York, NY 1005; or Renewing the Promise Campaign for Alderson-Broadus College c/o Development Office, PO Box 2154, Phillipi, WV 26416.Staff

Peter T. Demetriou
Peter T. Demetriou, ex-MFH and president of Smithtown Hunt on New York’s Long Island, died suddenly of a heart attack on Sept. 11. He was 55.

Mr. Demetriou was a quiet but generous supporter of the Smithtown Hunt, Long Island Riding for the Handicapped program, Equine Rescue Techniques program, Muttontown Horseman’s Association, and Nassau Suffolk Horseman’s Association.

And he showed an unwavering passion for foxhunting over the course of 25 years. He was a respected horseman and gentleman. A downed rider would never be left behind on his watch. Mr. Demetriou shared his passion of equestrian sport with junior and novice riders, always offering help and guidance.

He began hunting at Smithtown 25 years ago as a member of the field. He eventually became the fieldmaster, then a jt.-MFH, and finally served as the hunt club’s president. He also served as vice president of the Foxhound Club of North America for two years.

In competition, he annually won championships at the Smithtown Hunt Hunter Trials.

“His sense of honor and responsibility superceded all considerations in his life. He was a dynamo of energy and a force to be reckoned with where inequality and/or ineptitude evidenced themselves,” said Cathleen Springer, Smithtown’s second flight fieldmaster.

Mr. Demetriou also left a notable impression in the insurance industry. He was slated to be inducted as president of Professional Insurance Agents of New York Inc. three days after his death. Staff