Susan Jane Anstey
Susan Jane Anstey, the respected equestrian journalist, horsewoman and volunteer, died Nov. 9 at her home, Wyndstone Farm, in Nobleton, Ont., after a seven-month battle with cancer. She was 59.

Mrs. Anstey was the publisher of many of Canada’s top equestrian magazines as well as the president of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists.

She was a valiant champion of Canada’s development in international equestrian sport. As a long-time supporter of the Canadian Equestrian Team, she served as chairman of the task force that resulted in the creation of Jump Canada, and she established the Horse Sport Young Rider’s Scholarship Fund in 1998 to recognize the top Canadian performers at the annual North American Young Riders’ Championships.

Mrs. Anstey competed and judged hunters and jumpers, bred and raced Thoroughbreds, published the magazines Horse Sport, Horse-Canada and Canadian Thoroughbred, and was a lifelong member of the Toronto and North York Hunt.

She served as a director of Jump Canada, chairman of the FEI Media Advisory Committee, and for 11 years she’d been the IAEJ president.

“Susan Jane was that heart and soul of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists,” said Nancy Jaffer, her good friend and fellow journalist. “Her dedication was such that she remained involved in IAEJ business throughout her illness, up until the last weeks of her life.”

Jaffer said that Mrs. Anstey was devoted to expanding media coverage of equestrian competitions and to improving conditions for the journalists who cover the equestrian world. “She realized those goals by being extremely principled, efficient and savvy.

Her efforts created a bridge with the FEI, finally achieving unquestioned recognition that journalists play a vital role in the sport, something that too often was ignored before.

“Although Susan Jane was tough when she needed to be, she had an air of elegance and refinement about her at all times, and a sly sense of humor. She really was one-of-a-kind, a unique individual whose loss will long be felt.”

Mrs. Anstey is survived by her daughter, Jennifer, who will carry on her mother’s legacy in both the horse community and the publishing world, and by her partner of 24 years, Michael Van Every. Staff

Chammsky
The versatile Thoroughbred gelding Chammsky died in his sleep on Oct. 6 at Woodfield Farm in Solonga, N.Y. He was 27.

Chammsky, bred in Ireland (by Auction Ring–Crown Passage, Pall Mall) raced in Ireland from 1981 to 1984 and then was imported by William du Pont’s Pillar Stud to race over hurdles. He won the Midsummer Steeplechase at Monmouth Park (N.J.) in 1985 and the Maryland Million in 1987, among 11 graded stakes placings in the United States. He retired at age 10, after winning 14 of 74 lifetime starts.

But racing was just the start of Chammsky’s career. “He was a wonderful and rather versatile horse. He just had a great attitude,” said owner Lesley Woodworth. “From show jumping to eventing to equitation, he crossed disciplines so well.”

He competed in eventing and dressage with Woodworth’s daughters, Lesley and Kelly, who rode him in the U.S. Pony Club Championships in dressage and eventing. They also rode him in equitation and jumper classes at local and rated shows from 1990 to 1993. Later, Libby Pforr evented him at novice and training level, contesting the USPC Championships at those levels in 1997 and 1998 with him.

He enjoyed hunter paces and trail rides until he was 24. Staff

Mary Gray
Driver Mary Gray of Southern Pines, N.C., died on Sept. 24. She was 82.

Born in Philadelphia, Mrs. Gray moved to Southern Pines in 1952 because of her love of horses and foxhunting. She was an active member of the Moore County Driving Club and served as its president. She owned and managed Economy Farm on Young’s Road, which is still a popular place for drivers to board their horses with easy access to the several-thousand-acre Walthour-Moss Foundation land. Mrs. Gray’s granddaughter Deborah Padgett and husband Scott are now running Economy Farm.

Mrs. Gray so enjoyed her four-in-hand of pinto ponies that she “economically” named the ponies that comprised the team–Nickel, Dime, Counterfeit, Small Change, Petty Cash, Guilder and Yen.

Mrs. Gray is survived by her son, Bill Doyle; daughter Pinky Doyle; granddaughters Deborah Padgett and Beverly Heavey; four great-grandchildren; and brother, Daniel F. Malone.

A memorial service was held at the Walthour-Moss Foundation Cemetery on Oct. 1. Many members of the Moore County Driving Club drove their turnouts to the cemetery for the service.

Memorial contributions can be made to The American Red Cross Hurricane Relief, 244 SW Broad St., So. Pines, NC 28387; to the First Health Hospice Foundation, 150 Applecross Rd., Pinehurst, NC 28374 or to the Sandhills Children’s Center, 1280 Central Dr., Southern Pines, NC 28387. Staff

Robert McLean Nash
Robert McLean Nash of Louisville, Ky., a former MFH of the Long Run Hunt, died on Oct. 28. He was 79.

Mr. Nash began his lifelong riding passion at the Culver Military Academy (Ind.), where he was a member of the school’s jumping team.

After graduating in 1943, he served in the U.S. Army until moving on to the University of Louisville. After his second graduation, Mr. Nash returned to riding, as a polo player and hunter with the Long Run Hounds, which he helped establish as a recognized hunt.

He served at Long Run as fieldmaster and eventually stepped up to become master of foxhounds for 15 years, from 1967 to 1988. During this time he also served on the Board of Directors of the Masters of Foxhounds Association and was vice president during his final year on the board.

Since he was always interested in the development of the hound, Mr. Nash also served on the Board of Directors of the American Foxhound Club and was its president from 1979 to 1981.

Mr. Nash is survived by his wife, Sissy Nash, and daughters Margaret, Louise, and Kathy. Staff

John Rodes
John Starks Rodes died on Nov. 4 at his home in Goshen, Ky. He was 91.

Along with his wife, Ruby, Mr. Rodes was a member of many foxhunting and Beagle clubs, including the Iroquois Hunt (Ky.), Camargo Hunt (Ohio), Long Run Hunt (Ky.) and the Fincastle Beagles (Ky.), where he and Mrs. Rodes served as joint masters.

Over the span of 15 years, Mr. and Mrs. Rodes often foxhunted in England and Ireland.

“He really had a true love for horses and hounds,” said son Patrick Rodes. Mr. Rodes also served as paddock master for many a point-to-point and steeplechase race in the Midwest.

Mr. Rodes also helped found the Rodes clothing store in Louisville, Ky., in which he worked for more than 52 years. Adding to his legacy was his partnership in the historic Starks Building, which dates back to 1913, in downtown Louisville.

Mr. Rodes is survived by sons John Rodes III and Patrick Rodes.

Memorial donations may be made to the therapeutic home Faith Riders, 2890 N. Shell Rd., Deland FL 32720. Staff