Friday, August 22, 2008

Riders react to Harting's passing

People within the dressage community are reacting to Trip's passing. Here are some of the links to those bulletin boards. You may have to refresh the pages as the postings come in.

Thank you for taking on Trip's documentary and ultimate legacy. He was such a special person. Lois has been keeping us updated. How terribly difficult for you all. From those of us who counted him as a friend, thank you for making certain he was surrounded by love.

http://www.ultimatedressage.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=138712&sid=26694a9917fb6f066cab2801f2f904b3

and:

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=163208

Roberta Williams

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello this is Chase Harting, Trip Harting is my favorite Uncle. I know I have large family but Trip and my mom is only 2 person I felt very closest. It was very sad that was his time to go... But yet he left us alot of good memories.

Anyways I dont know any way to get in touch with some of his people but I'd like to have contact with Lois Yukins. Since I know her as Trip's one of close friends...
Contat me by aim or OneEyedWilly@mac.com

Thanks
Chase Harting

Anonymous said...

I'm so sad to hear about Trip. I understand that emails or comments are being accepted for a remembrance book? If so, I would like to submit the following........

Trip Harting was one of the first dressage judges that I rode for when I began my dressage journey. I enjoyed his sense of humor as I read his comments on my tests. But, I also took the comments to heart as he was right on the mark. The last time I rode for Trip was at an Arabian show. I was riding first level on my, now FEI level, Arabian stallion. As I rode around the dressage court, Trip stopped me to tell me that he thought the throat latch strap on the bridle should be looser. As I reached over the neck of my horse to adjust the strap, he put his head way down toward the ground, nearly toppling me off. Trip laughed and said "I think they do that on purpose!". He wished me a "great ride" and off I went to start my test. During that test, my horse had a "stallion moment" as Trip put it. He stopped during a, just fine as is was, leg yield. We got it all back together and finished the test. We still had a respectable score and earned a blue ribbon. Later on that long day, I saw Trip as he was heading for the show office, finally done for the day. He smiled as he saw me with my ribbon. I mentioned that is was too bad he saw my "stallion moment" and he grinned "It was pretty hard to miss!" Well, Trip, it is certain that it will be hard not to miss you. Have a "great ride".
Elaine Kerrigan

Unknown said...

I only knew Trip through the film, I was fortunate enough to be at the Premiere in Providence with Stu, Lois and Elita. I was looking forward to meeting Trip, and now I am reacting to the sadness of his passing.

What a miracle that his message will carry on through the film. Trip’s legacy of acceptance and honesty will continue to touch people every time this film is shown. To those who struggle with addictions Trip’s journey will become a testament of hope.

I would like to leave a gift to his family and friends. The following is a passage that has always given me hope and comfort at times like this.


Bob Linscott
Boston, MA

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A wise and old soul was asked if he had any suggestions or instructions for those left behind as to what they should do following the death of a loved one. This is his reply.

“That is an excellent question.
First, the willingness to let that person
go into the next step of their evolution
is extremely helpful, not only to you but to them.
A “farewell,” a “bon voyage,” a “Godspeed.”
Then the rest of you look at each other
and give the comfort and assurance, and the hugs
and the Kleenex that is necessary.
Next, take yourselves to a place of great luxury
and enjoy an incredible feast.
Salute the soul that has completed its task,
touch glasses to the time when you will meet again
and go about the business of your own lives.

From Emmanuel’s Book: A Manual for Living Comfortably in the Cosmos

Anonymous said...

I was so fortunate to scribe for Trip for the first time this past June. When he came into the judging booth he was friendly and started in with jokes immediately to get the day off to a gentle start. Then he gave me his business card and I thought, "Unbelievable, it's got his PICTURE on it" and mentally rolled my eyes. By the end of the first class I told him I'd be requesting to be assigned to him the next time he was judging here. He was a hoot! He was irreverent at the formality of "dres-sage", so willing to answer any questions between horses and willing to share his knowledge with his scribes, telling silly stories, yet at the same time judging insightfully, consistently, and with a relentless high standard. Just for fun, when a rider passed the judging booth, he'd say, "Hey, you know, for 50 cents you can ride any test you want!" or to a first level rider he'd say, "And we have you riding the Grand Prix test today" and he'd wait for the reaction. He wanted the riders to relax, have fun, and ride accurately. I just can't begin to tell you what a joy it was to spend 8 hours with him as he enhanced my knowledge of dressage and set an exacting standard in his judging. He ended every test with a verbal "Thank you very much!" to each rider. What a loss to the worlds of Dressage and Eventing. He was a class act that I'm sure no one will be able to follow.

Anonymous said...

I just finished watching the video documentary 'Trip to Hell and Back' & WOW, what a surprise it was to see that posted on the internet!

Trip shared ‘his story’ with me about 3 plus years ago now. He came over for dinner and afterwards we stayed up most of the night sitting on my couch while he told me the whole story - Trip and I shared a lot of years, at least 30 of them... and we trusted each other with many ‘events’ in each others lives - We both cried while he talked and I knew how afraid he was and all of the sadness and pain & humiliation he was & had been going through - I never thought he would ever share this with the world. Bless him - what a man.

Aside from that painful & private time in his life, Trip was so much more. He was no criminal. He was just human. He was a HUGE influence in so many people's lives, including mine. He was not only my trainer for years, he was also my adored wonderful friend that I made wonderful memories with. He did so much for hundreds of people in the horse community. His love and compassion for the sport and the people’s lives he touched everyday was just incredible.

When he told me how sick he was and that he'd collapsed while judging, and was taken to the hospital, and then found out the news of terminal liver cancer, I was shocked beyond belief. I couldn’t comprehend him not being here anymore. It is all such a shock and so sudden, that I’m sure many of us have not completely comprehended this dreadful news.

I will miss his so much as I am sure hundreds of his friends will. I loved & respected him with all my heart. Trip was a trip... he was so precious, outrageous, off the walls, sweet, sexy, smart, gentle, kind, a beautiful rider, a handsome man, a nut, very vain & very funny. He loved his friends, his dogs and his horses. I will always love and respect him, no matter....he was good through & through -

I will miss you my wonderful Trippee - more than you'll know – My life was much richer because you were in it -

I hope you're up there riding one of those great horses of yours.....or even mine and having a fabulous reunion with your loved one's that left before you.
Big hugs forever....oxoxox
carolyn

Anonymous said...

Trip was the first Dressage rider that I had ever seen as a young boy in Ca I saw a picture of Trip riding the horse "Achat" on the cover of some horse mag from that moment I knew that was what I wanted to do. He unknowingly springboarded me into this sport. His kind words in the dressage arena fueled my passion for the horses and this sometimes fickel sport. Trip and I became close friends he was an easy person to like. I am sad that he suffered from a meth addiction that few knew anything about. I only wish that he had felt he could ask for help before things got so out of control. Yet I am proud that he found a inner peace through the turmoil that crystal caused him. I hope that this film will help others to seek out help before it is to late and expose this deadly drug for the life stealer it is.
Trip wil be missed not many dressage judges bother to stand up b4 each rider begins their test and even fewer thank them on completion.
So Trip, I stand and salute you once more. And I thank you for inspiring, educating,and being a good friend to me.
WE MISS YOU

Frank Waters said...

Dear, Dear Trip:

What a wonderful human being, gentleman, friend, soul and lover of life. I worked with Trip on several occasions and we spent lots of time talking, laughing and enjoying the world of equestrian that we both love so much. I never heard a negative word come from Trip and he never held back in displaying his emotions. I always received that terrific hug from him on greeting and an even bigger one when we said goodbye.

I last worked with Trip when I announced Dressage at the National in Wellington and we spent our lunch hour walking around the show ground, mostly laughing which is what he loved to do. There is not a show ground in the world that is bigger than the heart of "Our Dear Trip" and he will be missed terribly my many many people. The world will not be the same without Trip Harting.

As I write this, I am in an hotel announcing a horse show in Chicago and words cannot explain how sad I feel over his passing. I did not know he had gone until tonight and I am also a friend of Lois. I did not realize that she and Trip were so close, God bless you for that Lois. I will be hosting the USDF convention again, this year it will be in Denver and I hope that there will be a celebration there of our Trip. In the meantime, this is from the heart and hopefully will make a lot of you smile, as I know this is what Trip would say to you all.

My dear family, friends and fellow equestrians, I must leave you for a little while, Please be happy and do not grieve or shed wild tears Be happy, do not hug your sorrow to you through the years,
Start bravely every day with a gallant smile; Especially for my sake and in my name Live your lives to the fullest doing all things the same Do not feed your loneliness on empty sad days,
But fill each waking hour with joyous and wonderful ways,
Hold out your arms in love, comfort and cheer And I in turn will comfort you all and hold you near; And never, never be afraid to die, Because I am waiting for you in the sky!

God bless you Trip, rest in peace and know you will never be forgotten. Your friend and colleague.........Frank Waters
Horse Show Announcer.

http://www.horseshowsusa.com