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Tribute to Becky Hart: Champion Endurance Athlete and Equestrian Educator
Bob Langrish photo
USEF.org
As an athlete, coach, and leader in the sport, Becky Hart had a profound impact on endurance riding in the U.S. and around the world. Hart passed away on February 28, 2025, at age 71.
During her competitive career, Hart (San Juan Bautista, Calif.) was a dominant force in the sport, highlighted by her winning a remarkable three individual FEI Endurance World Championships in a row in 1988, 1990, and 1992. She won these titles with R.O. Grand Sultan, the Arabian gelding who was later inducted into the American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) Hall of Fame. With “Rio,” Hart also helped the U.S. win FEI Endurance World Championship team silver medals in 1986 and 1992. Her incredible achievements led to her being named AHSA Equestrian of the Year in 1990. To this day, the Becky Grand Hart Trophy is awarded annually by US Equestrian to Equestrian of the Year finalists from international non-Olympic sports.
Hart also had a phenomenal record in national endurance rides, including two wins in the Western States Trail Ride, better known as the Tevis Cup. She was the AERC National Champion twice and was inducted into the AERC Hall of Fame in 1992.
With her record as one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes and her longtime experience as a riding instructor and coach, Hart was a natural choice to help lead the U.S. Endurance Teams on the international stage. She served as Chef d’Equipe for many years, including for several FEI World Championships in the 2000s.
While Hart’s involvement in elite endurance was an undeniable asset to the sport in the U.S., her love of horses and talent for teaching reached far beyond her high-profile positions. She was a certified Centered Riding instructor and shared her expertise teaching riding and horsemanship to all levels, from brand-new beginners to advanced equestrians, at her home base in California. The enthusiasm she brought to her students came from her own lifelong experience as a lover of all things equine; her earliest equestrian experiences were riding lessons, Pony Club, and local horse shows in all disciplines beginning at age 6.
US Equestrian extends heartfelt condolences to Hart’s family, friends, and the endurance community. The Federation is grateful for her lifetime of contributions to the sport.
Congratulations to Dave Rabe and White Cloud10 for being awarded the 2024 AERC Pard'ners Award
*thanks to Connie Creech, who shared with us her nomination of Dave Rabe and White Cloud10 for this prestigious award!
The dynamic duo did indeed receive the Pard'ners Award at the 2025 AERC Convention*
Nomination of Dave Rabe and White Cloud10 for the AERC Pard’ners Award
Dave and White Cloud personify the Pard’ners Awards’ abiding goal of the AERC motto “To Finish is to Win”. Their partnership developed over many years overcoming past abuse with trust and friendship. White Clouds long duration of soundness, his desire and willingness to travel over hill and dale along with Dave’s personal care and management, allowed him to reach significant mileage and award achievements.
Their shared partnership riding through six AERC Regions over fifteen seasons, included (10) one hundred-mile in one day rides, numerous pioneer rides, (224) completions from (232) starts in a total of 11,925 AERC miles. The pair won National Mileage Champions two times, out of four times placing. They won the National Pioneer Award in 2010, also placing third in 2009. In the West Region Dave and White Cloud along with his pasture mates Rushcreek Okay, Ravenwood Moshan, Midnight Melody Marie and Chey’s Cocamoe Joe were Regional Mileage Champions (total annual mileage one or two horses) for ten years. White Cloud also placed in the West Region Middleweight Division seven separate times, winning first place four times.
Dave found Cloud (his name at the time) at a nearby horse rescue ranch in 2007. The owner told Dave the non-registered gelding was dropped off as a dangerous, explosive, un-rideable and unwanted horse. Dave could tell right off he had some Arabian breeding with excellent conformation and smooth gaits. He decided to try him out to see what his problems were and was able to get him loaded in the trailer. Dave trailered him over to his friend Connie’s place and worked him in her round pen. Both were impressed with his gliding efficient movement and his presence. He was able to saddle him up with no problem. However, when he tried to mount the action began. The horse was not going to allow him to mount and immediately started bucking before Dave could even get a leg over him. Dave still thought he was worth the gamble, even though he may have been abused and frightened and was very defensive. He would probably make a good endurance horse, if he could work him through his problems.
So, their journey together started. He had his Veterinarian Susan, check him over and she aged him by his teeth as a seven year old. There were dark rain clouds rolling in that day which gave Dave the idea to change his name from Cloud, and since he didn’t like dark clouds, to White Cloud. The name fit perfectly and was like an omen to Dave. Dave worked and conditioned White Cloud through the winter and spring and they did their first ride together at the Washoe Valley 50 in May of 2008. Still difficult to mount, at the Fort Schellbourne XP ride in June, Dave’s good friend Kerry, also an excellent horse trainer worked with White Cloud. Kerry is the only person other than Dave to ride White Cloud in his long career.
In 2011 White Cloud sustained a hind leg suspensory ligament injury. This brought out another demon afflicting White Cloud about trusting to have his hind legs picked up and handled. With great care and rehab White Cloud fully recovered and healed from the injury, while overcoming this fear from his past. Another setback for them was in 2013 when Dave tried to mount White Cloud as he was walking out from the start of the Death Valley ride. Old gremlins from the past revealed themselves when White Cloud exploded and Dave landed on his head, giving him a severe head injury which put Dave in the hospital for over a month. From that day forward Dave’s cowboy image was humbled to wear a safety equestrian helmet.
White Cloud passed at the assumed age of 23 years, in March of 2023 due to internal cancer tumors. He will forever have a special place in Dave’s heart, a bond that brought them through some of their life struggles. There is no doubt that if not for Dave finding White Cloud at the horse rescue ranch, he was able to save his life and give him a chance to excel at endurance riding becoming his lifetime partner.
Respectfully Submitted,
Connie Creech
AERC #172
Nomination of Dave Rabe and White Cloud10 for the AERC Pard’ners Award
Dave and White Cloud personify the Pard’ners Awards’ abiding goal of the AERC motto “To Finish is to Win”. Their partnership developed over many years overcoming past abuse with trust and friendship. White Clouds long duration of soundness, his desire and willingness to travel over hill and dale along with Dave’s personal care and management, allowed him to reach significant mileage and award achievements.
Their shared partnership riding through six AERC Regions over fifteen seasons, included (10) one hundred-mile in one day rides, numerous pioneer rides, (224) completions from (232) starts in a total of 11,925 AERC miles. The pair won National Mileage Champions two times, out of four times placing. They won the National Pioneer Award in 2010, also placing third in 2009. In the West Region Dave and White Cloud along with his pasture mates Rushcreek Okay, Ravenwood Moshan, Midnight Melody Marie and Chey’s Cocamoe Joe were Regional Mileage Champions (total annual mileage one or two horses) for ten years. White Cloud also placed in the West Region Middleweight Division seven separate times, winning first place four times.
Dave found Cloud (his name at the time) at a nearby horse rescue ranch in 2007. The owner told Dave the non-registered gelding was dropped off as a dangerous, explosive, un-rideable and unwanted horse. Dave could tell right off he had some Arabian breeding with excellent conformation and smooth gaits. He decided to try him out to see what his problems were and was able to get him loaded in the trailer. Dave trailered him over to his friend Connie’s place and worked him in her round pen. Both were impressed with his gliding efficient movement and his presence. He was able to saddle him up with no problem. However, when he tried to mount the action began. The horse was not going to allow him to mount and immediately started bucking before Dave could even get a leg over him. Dave still thought he was worth the gamble, even though he may have been abused and frightened and was very defensive. He would probably make a good endurance horse, if he could work him through his problems.
So, their journey together started. He had his Veterinarian Susan, check him over and she aged him by his teeth as a seven year old. There were dark rain clouds rolling in that day which gave Dave the idea to change his name from Cloud, and since he didn’t like dark clouds, to White Cloud. The name fit perfectly and was like an omen to Dave. Dave worked and conditioned White Cloud through the winter and spring and they did their first ride together at the Washoe Valley 50 in May of 2008. Still difficult to mount, at the Fort Schellbourne XP ride in June, Dave’s good friend Kerry, also an excellent horse trainer worked with White Cloud. Kerry is the only person other than Dave to ride White Cloud in his long career.
In 2011 White Cloud sustained a hind leg suspensory ligament injury. This brought out another demon afflicting White Cloud about trusting to have his hind legs picked up and handled. With great care and rehab White Cloud fully recovered and healed from the injury, while overcoming this fear from his past. Another setback for them was in 2013 when Dave tried to mount White Cloud as he was walking out from the start of the Death Valley ride. Old gremlins from the past revealed themselves when White Cloud exploded and Dave landed on his head, giving him a severe head injury which put Dave in the hospital for over a month. From that day forward Dave’s cowboy image was humbled to wear a safety equestrian helmet.
White Cloud passed at the assumed age of 23 years, in March of 2023 due to internal cancer tumors. He will forever have a special place in Dave’s heart, a bond that brought them through some of their life struggles. There is no doubt that if not for Dave finding White Cloud at the horse rescue ranch, he was able to save his life and give him a chance to excel at endurance riding becoming his lifetime partner.
Respectfully Submitted,
Connie Creech
AERC #172
New AERC Hall of Famers announced at AERC Convention
AERC welcomed a new group into the Hall of Fame class, and presented additional awards, at National Awards banquet of the 2025 AERC Convention in Reno, Nevada on March 8.
Hall of Fame Person: Lisa Schneider
Hall of Fame Equine: Trinity, owned and ridden by Gunnar Frank
Pard’ners Award recipients: Dave Rabe and White Cloud
Ann Parr Trails Preservation Award recipient: Nicole Wertz
Charlie Barieau Photography Excellence Award: Merri Melde
Greg Kimler of Echo Valley Ranch in Auburn was presented the Dru Barner award from the Western States Trail Foundation, for those who contribute to and uphold the goals of the Western States Foundation, and have helped maintain the integrity and dignity of the Tevis Cup.
Kathy Lea Arnold 1957-2025
Legacy.com
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Bryant Funeral Home - Worland on Mar. 6, 2025.
Kathy Lea Arnold
May 9, 1957- March 4, 2025
Kathy Lea Arnold, 67, of Basin passed away in Green River Wyoming, on March 4, 2025. She and Bud are together in Heaven now, probably chasing cows.
Kathy was born May 9, 1957, in Iowa to Lloyd and Alta Morstad. She married Bud Arnold on September 4, 1988, and they spent their lives doing what they loved-- farming, ranching, and riding. Kathy loved all animals but most of all her horses. She was an avid horsewoman; an accomplished endurance rider competing across the country. She was very involved in Endurance including the Big Horn 100. In their younger days she and Bud enjoyed team roping.
Survivors include sister Suzanne Morstad of Basin; sister-in-law Barb Arnold VanMatre of Green River; beloved companion Chancy; a herd of horses; and many friends including the special ones who helped her during the final days.
She was predeceased by her husband of 36 years, Bud Arnold.
Services will be held at 12 o'clock noon Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Mountain View Assembly Church (501 2nd Street Ten Sleep, Wyoming). Burial will be in the Ten Sleep Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kathy, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.