Region 12 Friends, Gone but not Forgotten...

Ennis Monroe Hester
(1930 - 2007)

The Carriage Classic in the Pines Marathon, Pinehurst, NC in the 1997 show.

Ennis Monroe Hester, age 77 of Bladenboro, NC, died Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007 in his home. Ennis was born in Bladen County to Dewey and Miriam Hester on June 16, 1930. He is survived by his wife, Vivian; sons, Earl and Richard; daughters, Cheryl Walters, Sandra Singletary and Angie Lawson; and seven grandchildren. Ennis had been ill with heart problems.

Ennis grew up on a Bladen County farm but wanted nothing more in life than to be a Cowboy. Vivian was always supportive of Ennis and when he got a chance to move to Oklahoma and work on a ranch, they packed up the family and moved out west. After a few years his father fell ill and Ennis came back to Bladen County to work the farm.
His Uncle Carl Brisson was the trainer for Walter Lee “Noody” Johnson at Jon-San Arabians in Lumberton, NC. Ennis signed on to work with Carl and when Carl moved on Ennis took over as Jon-San’s trainer. Ennis and Noody showed at the national level such horses as Ansata El Reyhan, Jon-San Rosarey and numerous others that they bred and raised. It was largely to Ennis’s credit that during the Seventies, Eighties and into the Nineties when the ribbons were presented at a Region XXII Show, you would see Jon-San horses well represented.

When Ennis retired from Jon-San, he opened his own training facility on the farm in Bladen County. He became involved in and was successful in American Driving Society Carriage competition. He continued to train horses as long as he was able. Mules had a special place in his heart and as a matter of fact, a mule named Tom helped Ennis train many a horse. Ennis had the skill and experience to be able to read a horse’s reactions so that he could get a desired result. If one method didn’t work with a horse he would “study on it” and try something else until he found what worked with that particular horse. He would not easily give up on a horse or, for that matter, a person.
Ennis was special to so many people. He not only taught about horses but thru simple example, he showed us how to celebrate friendships and the love of horses. Everyone will remember him as the best “hugger” in the world. Those whom he touched now have a hole in their heart because he is gone but he will also have a very special place in their heart. Ennis never met a stranger and was ready with help to anyone for the asking. Almost every one that knew him can tell a tale of a time that Ennis came to their rescue with a simple (for him) solution to a problem with a horse.
So long, Ennis, keep on riding and driving. You are the best! Ennis Monroe Hester was a true Horseman.

Chris Elliott
(1965 - 2007)

USEF Horse of the Year Awards when she won Arabian Dressage Award with Aye Gringo.

Ms. Hrisoula Anne Britt “Chris” Elliott, age 42, of Canon, GA died Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at her home after a battle with cancer that lasted many years.

Born May 13, 1965, in Cobb County, she was the daughter of the late Colonel and Norma Jean Livaditis. Chris was a horse trainer and enjoyed teaching children and adults alike the joy of horseback riding. She was a fierce competitor, winning Reserve National Champion titles in Working Hunter and Arabian Jumper in both Canada and the United States. She won multiple United States Equestrian Federation Horse of the Year titles with two different horses: Sonbird Pharao+// and Chris won the Purebred Hunter Horse of the Year title in 1996, 1998, and 2000; and Aye Gringo+/ and Chris won the Arabian Dressage Horse of the Year title in 2004 and 2005. In addition, she won numerous Regional Championship titles in the 1980’s, 1990’s, and 2000’s. Her success as a trainer was also evident through the accomplishments of her students who win regularly at local competitions as well as at the Regional level.

Chris was very active and influential in the horse world, both locally and on a national basis. She was a delegate for Region 12 and attended the Arabian Horse Association convention each year, helping lay the groundwork and fighting for equality and improvement in the disciplines of Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Sport Horse that she participated and believed in. She was also an active member in the national equestrian organizations, USEF and USDF, as well as the local clubs, the Georgia Arabian Horse Association and the Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association.

She is survived by her partner in life, Mike Horstman; two sisters; three half-brothers; and many friends.

A memorial service and potluck gathering will be held on December 1, 2007 at 2:00 at the Shakerag Hunt Club, 3898 Neese-Commerce Road, Hull, GA 30646. Dress will be casual. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Make-A-Wish foundation in Chris’ name. This foundation grants wishes to terminally ill children. They can be contacted at www.wish.org or by calling 1-866-880-1382.