Region 12 Friends, Gone but not Forgotten...

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.