In Memoriam
USDF joins the entire dressage community in mourning the loss of Chuck Grant. Often called the "Father of American Dressage", he died June 30, at his home in Brighton, Michigan, after a long illness. He was 76 years old.
In his 50- year career with horses, Grant introduced and nurtured a classical system of riding and training that was ultimately employed by riders in many disciplines. He began his association with American dressage in the 1940's, while stationed with the 122nd Field Artillery in Chicago. At the time, dressage was practiced only in the military. However, Grant believed strongly that all could benefit from "the training of the horse" and in 1948, he introduced the first civilian dressage classes to the United States.
Later, in civilian life, Grant went on to train 17 horses to the Grand Prix level. Grant taught many of his horses to kneel, lie down, bow, and sit up, and he greatly enjoyed demonstrating the fun and beauty of dressage in exhibitions around the United States.
A staunch supporter of American riders and American horses, he passed his knowledge on to hundreds of students, including hunter/jumper and combined training riders. A large number of them went on to become professionals. His proteges include Violet Hopkins, Deeann Cramer, Carol Grant Oldford, David Lackey, Dominique Barbier, Nancy Harris, Carole Trevianus and Marie Zdunic.
As a charter member of the USDF, Grant attended the very first meeting of the Federation, held in 1973 in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was among several dressage enthusiasts who helped frame the format of the Federation in order to further the sport of dressage in the United States. During the early years of USDF, Grant chaired the Professional's Advisory Committee, which was then working on issues like the evaluation of judges. More recently, he was the 1989 Region 2 coordinator for the Instructors/Trainers Council.
He is the author of three books - American Dressage, American Dressage II and Haute Ecole. In addition, he contributed articles to many horse-related publications and was working on his autobiography at the time of his death.
The above is from a USDF Bulletin
Charles D. "Chuck" Grant, highly regarded dressage trainer of horses and riders including Deeann Cramer, Mari Zdunic and Olympian Frank Duffy, died June 30 at his home in Brighton Township, Michigan.
He was 76.
Grant received his formal riding training when in the Army, where he rode with the 122nd Field Artillery Lancers and served in Italy and North Africa. There he was introduced to dressage through Col. Len Kitts and Col. Hiram Tuttle. He judged the first dressage show in the U.S. in 1947, and trained Frank Duffy for the 1968 U.S. Olympic jumping and dressage teams that competed in Mexico City.
He wrote two books: American Dressage and Training the Haute Ecole (available from Marie Zdunic) . Throughout his career, Grant did not draw a hard line between basic dressage and haute ecole riding. In fact, he considered haute ecole an extension of basic dressage. He opened Shine-A-Bit Farm in Brighton Township in 1967. He was a member of the AHSA, a founding board member of the Midwest Dressage Association and a member of the Horse Artillery Association.
the above is from USDF News.
Another tribute to Chuck by some of his students at: http://www.shineabit.com/sa00004.htm
1914-1990
May you be happy and healthy where ever you are now.
From one of your students, Dorothy Clark
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