Hello, Fellow Eventers and Eventing Supporters,
My name is Ariana Dickey. On March 12, 2020 the equestrian community lost a valuable member. His name was Patrick (Packy) McGaughan. Packy’s course design for Bittersweet Field helped to launch Seneca Valley Pony Club (SVPC) into becoming a well-respected USEA event. Packy had huge influential power when it came to some of the top riders. Many of the top riders benefitted from riding techniques and riding comments from Packy. I am writing to ask you to help me honor his memory in a special way.
I am currently a Pony Club HB test candidate and I am required to provide a letter from the district commissioner certifying my involvement in a local, regional, or national equine land conservation project. For me, conservation not only means to conserve land but also means to keep the memory alive of those who contributed to the equestrian community, especially locally throughout the years. I have a unique idea that combines both the conservation of land as well as memory: I would like to raise funds to construct a jump at Bittersweet Field, inspired by and dedicated to Packy.
Bittersweet Field has been home to SVPC since 1961. The field owns the legacy of the pony club members who have taught and learned at the field for generations. The first time I met Packy was at this field during the Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials. Packy accepted me as a student and wanted to help me improve my riding skills. In fact, I had the pleasure of working with Packy many times throughout the years. The horse that I currently own would not be in my possession without the guiding hand of Packy. After watching a video of Falcon, Packy urged my mother to drive to Atlanta and pick up Falcon, knowing that he could become my perfect partner. Packy pushed me to become a better rider.
Sadly, in March, our club lost this valuable contributor; not only to the growth of our members but also to the development of both the past and the future of Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials’ cross-country course. For many years, Packy also offered insights into the courses at SVPC events. Our club will greatly miss Patrick McGaughan and his thoughtful commentary into the challenges of the 3-day eventing world. Packy enjoyed great accomplishments and notoriety in the equestrian world - becoming a member of the US Equestrian Team and being awarded a gold medal at the Pan Am Games. His “celebrity” in the equestrian community is legend but he always considered Bittersweet field “home”.
Shortly before his passing, Packy was at Southern Pines Horse Trials at the Carolina Horse Park, in Raeford, North Carolina, preparing horses for the upcoming eventing season. This was sadly the last show that Packy would attend during his meaningful life. It was there that he admired a Grob jump that excited him; he noted that many riders did not have the understanding of how to negotiate this Derby Style jump and also stated that he thought this type of obstacle would fit in well at Bittersweet. The gymnastic goes from a jump down into a coffin-like slope, just to jump out of it and back into the field. He posted the jump on Facebook, hoping to excite others. Packy thought this type of jump would be useful in developing young horses and challenging the seasoned event horse. Packy’s contributions to the cross-country course at Bittersweet should be celebrated, and what a better way than for me to demonstrate my commitment to conservation than to raise the funds needed to build this jump at Bittersweet Field in his memory.
It is not common for course builders to be available to build this type of jump during the busy eventing season. But, COVID-19 has changed that game, and because of the revised event season, our course builder is available now to build this jump, giving it plenty of time to settle before christening it as the “Packy McGaughan Grob Jump” at our fall horse trials.
It is my goal to raise $5,000 to see this project to completion. Packy was a very special part of the Seneca Family and I cannot think of a better way to honor his memory than the completion of this project and the dedication of the Grob jump.
I need your help to make this goal happen. Your tax-deductible contribution will go towards constructing this jump and honoring Packy. No contribution is too small or too big but I’d be excited to meet this goal with donations of $20 or more. I am thrilled to be part of this endeavor and hope you will be as well. To make your contribution, simply go to Seneca Valley Pony Club sponsor web page and donate. http://www.senecavalleyponyclub.org/donate-to-jump-for-for-packy-mcgaughan.html
I want to thank you in advance for your generous contribution and I look forward to keeping you up to date with this exciting project as construction proceeds. I hope everyone will cherish this jump in the upcoming horse trials, and keep in mind all of the wonderful horses, students, and trainers who benefitted from Packy’s sound tutelage.
If you know anyone that knew of Packy, please pass this email on to them so they can consider donating.
If you have any comments or questions please feel free to email me at aridickey@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Ariana Dickey
Note: This email has been corrected from an earlier version that incorrectly stated the grob jump Packy admired was in Aiken, South Carolina. Thank you to Cathy Tucker-Slaterbeck for the correction and note that the jump at the Carolina Horse Park that Packy admired was newly built last summer and dedicated to Michael Plumb.
My name is Ariana Dickey. On March 12, 2020 the equestrian community lost a valuable member. His name was Patrick (Packy) McGaughan. Packy’s course design for Bittersweet Field helped to launch Seneca Valley Pony Club (SVPC) into becoming a well-respected USEA event. Packy had huge influential power when it came to some of the top riders. Many of the top riders benefitted from riding techniques and riding comments from Packy. I am writing to ask you to help me honor his memory in a special way.
I am currently a Pony Club HB test candidate and I am required to provide a letter from the district commissioner certifying my involvement in a local, regional, or national equine land conservation project. For me, conservation not only means to conserve land but also means to keep the memory alive of those who contributed to the equestrian community, especially locally throughout the years. I have a unique idea that combines both the conservation of land as well as memory: I would like to raise funds to construct a jump at Bittersweet Field, inspired by and dedicated to Packy.
Bittersweet Field has been home to SVPC since 1961. The field owns the legacy of the pony club members who have taught and learned at the field for generations. The first time I met Packy was at this field during the Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials. Packy accepted me as a student and wanted to help me improve my riding skills. In fact, I had the pleasure of working with Packy many times throughout the years. The horse that I currently own would not be in my possession without the guiding hand of Packy. After watching a video of Falcon, Packy urged my mother to drive to Atlanta and pick up Falcon, knowing that he could become my perfect partner. Packy pushed me to become a better rider.
Sadly, in March, our club lost this valuable contributor; not only to the growth of our members but also to the development of both the past and the future of Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials’ cross-country course. For many years, Packy also offered insights into the courses at SVPC events. Our club will greatly miss Patrick McGaughan and his thoughtful commentary into the challenges of the 3-day eventing world. Packy enjoyed great accomplishments and notoriety in the equestrian world - becoming a member of the US Equestrian Team and being awarded a gold medal at the Pan Am Games. His “celebrity” in the equestrian community is legend but he always considered Bittersweet field “home”.
Shortly before his passing, Packy was at Southern Pines Horse Trials at the Carolina Horse Park, in Raeford, North Carolina, preparing horses for the upcoming eventing season. This was sadly the last show that Packy would attend during his meaningful life. It was there that he admired a Grob jump that excited him; he noted that many riders did not have the understanding of how to negotiate this Derby Style jump and also stated that he thought this type of obstacle would fit in well at Bittersweet. The gymnastic goes from a jump down into a coffin-like slope, just to jump out of it and back into the field. He posted the jump on Facebook, hoping to excite others. Packy thought this type of jump would be useful in developing young horses and challenging the seasoned event horse. Packy’s contributions to the cross-country course at Bittersweet should be celebrated, and what a better way than for me to demonstrate my commitment to conservation than to raise the funds needed to build this jump at Bittersweet Field in his memory.
It is not common for course builders to be available to build this type of jump during the busy eventing season. But, COVID-19 has changed that game, and because of the revised event season, our course builder is available now to build this jump, giving it plenty of time to settle before christening it as the “Packy McGaughan Grob Jump” at our fall horse trials.
It is my goal to raise $5,000 to see this project to completion. Packy was a very special part of the Seneca Family and I cannot think of a better way to honor his memory than the completion of this project and the dedication of the Grob jump.
I need your help to make this goal happen. Your tax-deductible contribution will go towards constructing this jump and honoring Packy. No contribution is too small or too big but I’d be excited to meet this goal with donations of $20 or more. I am thrilled to be part of this endeavor and hope you will be as well. To make your contribution, simply go to Seneca Valley Pony Club sponsor web page and donate. http://www.senecavalleyponyclub.org/donate-to-jump-for-for-packy-mcgaughan.html
I want to thank you in advance for your generous contribution and I look forward to keeping you up to date with this exciting project as construction proceeds. I hope everyone will cherish this jump in the upcoming horse trials, and keep in mind all of the wonderful horses, students, and trainers who benefitted from Packy’s sound tutelage.
If you know anyone that knew of Packy, please pass this email on to them so they can consider donating.
If you have any comments or questions please feel free to email me at aridickey@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Ariana Dickey
Note: This email has been corrected from an earlier version that incorrectly stated the grob jump Packy admired was in Aiken, South Carolina. Thank you to Cathy Tucker-Slaterbeck for the correction and note that the jump at the Carolina Horse Park that Packy admired was newly built last summer and dedicated to Michael Plumb.