Faithful Barn Dad Passes: Andy Olivo
Sheri Moser of Edmonton Farms wrote:
I have very sad news to report about Andriea and Trinity’s dad, Andy Olivo. A few weeks ago he got sick and sadly he passed away last night, March 9. Some of you may know the kids and their mom, Peggy. They have been taking lessons at Edmonton Farms once a week, on Status and Crackers. Andriea is a hard worker on and off the horse. A couple of weeks ago, when it was pouring rain, Andriea spent six hours at the barn with me helping take care of the horses.
Trinity is only 6 years old and magically gets Crackers -- the cranky while just trotting -- around the arena really fast, with her reins too long. They are both great kids, and Peggy is a hard-working mom that does everything she can to keep both of her daughters doing what they love, horses.
Andy would always come out to watch his daughters ride. At first Andriea struggled, while everything came easy for Trinity. Andriea sweated, trudged and got frustrated. I remember seeing the look on Andy’s face.
He watched with nothing but support and love, and when I was tough on her, he smiled and shook his head at me, as to say, “Thank you.” Andy liked it when I had the girls get their own horses ready, even though sometimes it took up most of the lesson. He told me that he wanted to take grooming lessons and learn how to tack up so he could help his girls. The last time I saw him, Andriea had made a break-through, and she was riding around beautifully. She even cantered. Andy got to see his daughter, who had very little self-esteem a few months ago, float around the arena with Status. He looked so proud.
I am asking for donations to help her give Andy a proper goodbye and help ease the family’s financial burdens. It would be great, thank you. Donations can be made to Peggy Olivo, c/o Sheri Moser, 6317 Bothwell Road; Tarzana, CA, 91335.
Joseph Arthur Muldoon, Jr., Aug. 24, 1931 – Mar. 16, 2008
Lanah Kay Hamilton wrote: This morning we lost our father, husband and best friend, “Big Joe” Muldoon. He passed away in his new home with his children and his loving wife, Alyse, by his side. As the sun rose on Palm Sunday, the former altar boy was in his favorite place – on top of the hill on Gone Away Farm – looking out at the back 50, the horses and the Blue Ridge Mountains. After a long battle with cancer, he finally said goodbye but, he was funny to the end and he never lost his fighting Irish spirit.
Joe was big not only in size, but also in his larger than life personality, his immeasurable heart and his unlimited generosity. He touched the lives of so many – and so many of us benefited because of a “leg up” from Big Joe. He made us all laugh,
he inspired, he encouraged, he motivated and he made things happen. He was everyone’s favorite coach and the best at assembling and inspiring a winning team – whether it be a horse and rider, polo, business, law or your first little league
win. He would send you in with a pat on the back and say, “just have a good time!”
He was always a leader that was willing to go places that no one else had dared to go. He established the first private law firm specializing in thrift regulation. He trained the first three-year-old pony to win a national championship over fences at
Madison Square Garden. He also entered and trained a horse in the first Grand Prix in the United States, ridden by the first woman to ever ride in a U.S. Grand Prix. He organized the first American polo games above 30 goals since the 1930s. He was the first to assemble an entirely family team to win a national tournament. When he retired from his law practice, he returned to his first love – training hunters and jumpers.
Big Joe was a true horseman. He was a consummate trainer, foxhunter, show rider, polo player and point to point competitor. He was always more focused on the horse than the rider. In fact, he could recite the background in great detail on every horse he ever owned or trained – hundreds of horses spanning over 60 years of a passionate love of the animal and sport.
We have all been an audience to the world’s best story teller. His wit was unmatched and we will all miss the “Big Joe-isms” that defined his unique personality. No matter what your association with our father, we will all share in
the void created by his absence.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be sent to the Polo Training Foundation at: U.S. Polo Association, 4037 Ironworks Parkway, Suite 110, Lexington, KY 40511.
Congratulations to Del Mar Horse Park
The Del Mar Horsepark topped the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association’s (PCQHA) Best of 2007 List. Del Mar Horsepark was named for both the Best Show Location and Best Show Facility. The Sun and Surf Horse Show held at Del Mar Horsepark was named Best Show Overall, Best Food and Best Special Awards. In other categories, Don Lehman was named Best Trail Course Designer; Darlene Mills, Best Show Management; Doc Boene, Best Announcer; Don Trout, Best Photographer; and last but not least, the Best Special Event category went to Atascadero Speed Event.
Tom Harris Memorial Service
There will be a short memorial service for Tom Harris, former MFH of Los Altos Hounds, on Sunday, May 11, at 10 a.m. at the Horse Park in Woodside at the polo arena.
This will not be a religious service. It is just an opportunity for Tom’s polo and hunt friends to spend some time remembering his wonderful life.
The Horse Park Polo Club will be donating a bench in his honor and LAH will be presenting a plaque of the Tom Harris poem for placement on the polo arena.
Many out of town friends plan to attend including Ginny Hunter, Jim Atkins and Don Criswell. Don will read his poem and Matthew will blow “Going Home.”
Flying Changes welcomes your submissions. Please tell us about what’s happening in your life and/or at your barn: births, deaths, engagements, marriages, new management and barn moves. Please send your reports to Rebecca Sparenberg at rebecca@ridingmagazine.com or fax 858-268-0397. Photos welcome!
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