RICHARD ROCKWELL
Richard “Dick” Rockwell, one of Canada’s outstanding horsemen and a prominent Welsh pony breeder, died on Nov. 5. He was 91.

Mr. Rockwell and his late wife Adele established Ardmore Welsh Pony Stud in Kettleby, Ont., and both were active members in the Welsh pony, Pony Club, and foxhunting communities. Adele taught members of the Eglinton Pony Club, and Mr. Rockwell also enjoyed whipping-in for Eglinton Hunt.

Mr. Rockwell was one of the original directors of the Central Ontario Pleasure Driving Association and served for many years on their board. He was the honorary director for some time before ill health disallowed him to actively participate in the club.

Canadian Olympic gold medalist Jim Elder had fond memories of Mr. Rockwell from his early years as a young rider. “I met and rode with my Eglinton Pony Club friends, who are still my good life-long friends today,” he said in his eulogy at Mr. Rockwell’s funeral. “Dick and Adele created this friendship, installing in us the love of horses and ponies, and introducing us to a wide array of equestrian activities–hunting, showing, cross-country, gymkhanas, racing, polo and Beagling! They gave us knowledge–stable management (of equal importance), show management of junior shows, and taught us the rules of foxhunting, Beagling and all their finer points. Most important was sportsmanship. How fortunate we were to have such great teachers and mentors. I for one credit them for my successes and the enjoyment I have had from this sport.”

Mr. Rockwell is survived by his sister-in-law Ellean and five nieces and nephews.    Staff


EDWARD P. GRANT
Edward P. “Ted” Grant, a professional rider and trainer, died on Oct. 12 at home in Brewster, N.Y. He was 57.

Mr. Grant learned to ride as a youth with the Junior Essex Troop of New Jersey. He then served in Vietnam and was in the U.S. Army and served in the First Airborne Infantry Division in Vietnam from 1967-69. He returned for a second tour of duty because he wouldn’t leave while others in his unit remained there in danger.

After returning from Vietnam, Mr. Grant began his career with horses. He crossed paths with Bertalan de Nemethy and spent several years working with the legendary coach of the U.S. Equestrian Team’s show jumping squad. During his time with de Nemethy, Mr. Grant competed nationally and internationally. He was nominated for the 2006 U.S. Equestrian Federation Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his 40-year career teaching and training hunters and jumpers.

For the past 20 years, Mr. Grant has been training and teaching all levels of horses and riders for various barns in the Northeast and in Colorado. Most recently, he worked at the Crossroads, Big Elm Farm in Brewster.

Mr. Grant is survived by his mother, Katherine Grant of Little Falls, N.J., and was pre-deceased by his father, William P. Grant. Additional survivors include brothers William Grant, Little Falls, N.J.; John Grant, Boonton, N.J.; Charles Grant, Hewitt, N.J.; Robert Grant, Califon, N.J.; and sister Katherine Moore, Riverside, Calif., and several nieces an nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Care, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10021.    Staff


IMPERIOSO
Canadian Ashley Holzer’s 16-year-old, Dutch Warmblood stallion Imperioso (Cocktail—Tangelo) died in his stable in New York on Oct. 31. It’s believed he suffered a brain aneurysm or heart failure.

Imperioso, regularly ranked in the top 15 in the U.S. Dressage Federation’s standings, competed with Holzer at the 2004 Athens Olympics and in the 2002 World Equestrian Games (Spain).

Tess Gilder, Holzer’s student and sponsor, purchased Imperioso, or “Perry,” for Holzer in April 2000. Imperioso, by Anky van Grunsven’s late Grand Prix mount Cocktail, was ready for Grand Prix when Holzer began riding him.

The pair trained with Robert Dover in North America and van Grunsven in Europe, and at the end of their first year together they placed second in the FEI World Cup’s Canadian League Final at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

Since then they had been practically unstoppable, clinching wins at the Grand Prix level throughout the East Coast, from Florida to New York. Holzer and her stallion won the Grand Prix Olympic selection trials at the Blainville CDI*** in July 2004. Imperioso also qualified for the 2006 WEG in Aachen, Germany.    Staff


JILL HASSLER SCOOP
Jill Hassler Scoop, renowned horsewoman and author, died on Oct. 31 of cancer at her home in Missoula, Mont. She was 62.

Mrs. Scoop had more than 40 years of teaching experience and was an instructor, coach and a clinician. Also a graduate “B” Pony Clubber, she served on the U.S. Pony Club Board of Governors and was the founder and district commissioner for the Lanchester and Sunny Hills Pony Clubs from 1973 until 1991. She was a director of the North American Riding For The Handicapped Association and offered a disabled riding program in conjunction with the Lancaster County Easter Seals Society.

From 1963-1991, she owned, managed and taught from Hidden Acres Farm in Quarryville, Pa. Scoop’s son Scott Hassler began his training career at his mother’s farm, winning many national titles on several horses before studying with Herbert Rehbein in Germany.

In 1990 Mrs. Scoop relocated her training operation at Hidden Acres Farm to Hilltop Farm in Colora, Md., where Scott and the Hilltop team could expand the breeding and training possibilities for their sport horse program. Mrs. Scoop managed Hilltop Farm from 1991-2001 and was a vital part in design and functions of the prestigious facility.

Mrs. Scoop authored many books and articles in order to share her extensive learning experiences including Beyond The Mirrors, Equestrian Instruction, and A Practical Guide to the Mental and Spiritual Aspects of Horsemanship.

After retiring from Hilltop Farm in 2001 to live in Montana, Mrs. Scoop established Equestrian Education Systems and the Balimo Equestrian Training Program to further her goal of improving the lives of horses through rider and instructor education.

Survivors include her husband, Russell H. Scoop, of Missoula; children, Chip, Scott and Patti Hassler; and stepchildren Mariette, Militza and Russell Scoop.    Staff


NEWCASTLE LAD
Newcastle Lad, a favorite show horse owned by Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, was euthanized on Oct. 22 after surgical complications. He was 9.

Newcastle Lad was an Irish Sporthorse who had a successful summer of competition. On Oct. 15 he collapsed and was rushed to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. There he was diagnosed with an unusual intestinal displacement and underwent immediate colic surgery. In spite of initial positive signs, “Lad” suffered secondary complications from which he could not recover.

Students (in particular his recent rider Holly Koncelik) will fondly remember Lad for his lovely forgiving nature. Otterbein’s faculty, staff, and students are grateful to Carolyn Cadier, Athens, Ga., Lad’s previous owner, for donating such a wonderful horse.    Staff


KILDONAN TUG
International event horse Kildonan Tug broke his leg on the cross-country course at the Virginia Horse Trials, Lexington, Va., on Nov. 4 and was euthanized. He was 14.

The Australian Thoroughbred competed through the three-star level with Tim Boland in Australia before being sold to Abigail Lufkin of the United States in 2003.

Lufkin placed third with him at the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in 2004. Most recently, young rider Gillian King had been competing Kildonan Tug at the preliminary level. She won her last two preliminary events.

Kildonan Tug slipped and fell between fences 5 and 6 on the preliminary cross-country course.    Staff