Washington D. “Wash” Bishop, an international eventer and former U.S. Equestrian Federation team selector, died at his home in Middleburg, Va., on May 9. He was 53.

Mr. Bishop was born on Sept. 25, 1955, and grew up in Birmingham, Ala. In 1973, he moved to Virginia to ride and train event horses. At age 16, he was invited to train with the U.S. Equestrian Team eventing squad with legendary coach Jack LeGoff. Ultimately, this unique opportunity led to a spot on the 1980 Olympic team, the 1995 European Championship team, and the 1996 Olympic short list.

Aboard Ask Away, Mr. Bishop won the 1993 Bromont CCI** (Que.) and the 1994 Rolex Advanced Horse Trials (Ky.), placed second at the 1995 Rolex Kentucky CCI*** and fifth at the 1994 Fair Hill CCI*** (Md.). In addition to training with the USET, Mr. Bishop also trained with Olympians Jim Wofford and Mike Plumb.

While his competition record was extensive, Mr. Bishop’s legacy was sealed with the success of his students, including 2000 Olympian Julie Burns Richards, who placed ninth individually and 1996 Olympian Mara Depuy Dean, who placed sixth.

Another student, Lauren Hart O’Brien, helped the USET squad to a gold-medal performance at the 1999 Pan American Games (Manit.). Student Julie Gomena won the 1994 Rolex Kentucky CCI*** aboard Treaty.

Mr. Bishop will be remembered as a talented rider and competitor who became an excellent teacher and coach and passed his knowledge and love of the sport on to his many students.

He is survived by his daughter Annie Bishop, son-in-law Robert Onda, and his sisters Becky Johnson and Donna Rodgers.

Memorial donations may be made to Ducks Unlimited, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120 or www.ducks.org.