Coco Chanel Euthanized
Tami Hoag’s FEI dressage partner Coco Chanel was humanely euthanized on June 13.
The day before, the mare Hoag describes as “beautiful and precious” sustained “a devastating spinal cord injury in a freak accident at a rehab facility where I had sent her for physical therapy for a minor tendon injury,” explains Hoag, a California-based FEI level amateur competitor and best-selling crime novelist.
“The staff at the facility acted immediately and appropriately,” Hoag continues. “A vet from Mid-Atlantic (one of the best equine clinics on the East Coast) arrived within 20 minutes of the incident.  Coco was carefully transported the short distance to the clinic, where she received the  best possible care by a team of veterinarians led by Dr. Patty Doyle, widely recognized by her peers as one of the top people in equine  medicine.
“Every effort was made to save Coco. All options were exhausted.”
Hoag imported the talented, 13 year old Rheinlander two years ago, and, for much of the time since, had been pointing toward success at the USEF Festival Of Champions that just transpired in Gladstone, NJ.
“Coco was only just coming into her own as a Grand Prix horse,” the heartbroken writer and rider comments. “Her future would have been bright and limitless. The irony is bitter that we lost her on the first day of Gladstone, where, if not for the minor injury that sidelined her in May, she would probably have been competing in the USEF championships.”
Hoag and Coco Chanel are based most of the year at Iron Horse Ranch in Malibu. Many might remember their beautiful ride at Cool August Nights last August, where the pair won the Grand Prix Freestyle with a whopping 73.250 percent score.
“Through it all, Coco was, as always, the epitome of a lady,” Hoag reports. “She clearly knew we were all trying our best to save her, and she cooperated and tolerated it all with grace and dignity. She passed away quietly with her head in my arms, surrounded by people who loved her, including our dear friend and mentor, Betsy Steiner, who helped find Coco for me in Germany just two years ago.
“There is nothing I wouldn’t give up to have her back. She was an extraordinary individual, and I was so blessed to have had her in  my life for much too short a time.”
Hoag’s latest novel The Alibi Man came out this past spring. It picks up the story of Elena Estes, the damaged detective of 2004’s Dark Horse.

New Feed Store Opens In Jamul
Many moons ago, California Riding Magazine featured Jamie La Fortune, an up-coming junior rider, as Rider of the Month. Now she is all grown up and pleased to announce the opening of her very own feed store, Jamul Feed and Supply.
“I’ve been working off and on at the local feed store since I was 15 years old,” explains Jamie. “I’m very excited about running my own store. We have a great line of products at Jamul Feeds, competitive prices and, of course, friendly staff.”
Jamul Feed features Cinch, Cruel Girl, Anderson Bean, Professional Choice and Cowperson Tack as well as a growing collection of consignment tack. She also carries Nutrena and Kellys Feeds.
Jamul Feed is located at 14019 Campo Rd. Jamul, CA 91935. Call Jamie at 619-741-0539 for directions or more information about the store. Tell her you read about Jamul Feed in California Riding Magazine’s July issue and receive 10% off on one regularly priced item.

Melle Roelof Franz van Bruggen
Sept. 1927- May 2007
Melle was born on Sept. 13, 1927 in Dordrecht in The Netherlands. He was the youngest of three children to Dr Douwe Johannes and Rosali van Bruggen. During his early years, horses became Melle’s love and passion, and he was determined to follow an equestrian career, although his father wished him to follow a more traditional professional career.
Well known for never doing things half hearted, Melle started his formal training at the world famous Spanish Riding School in Vienna. This rigid training, based on centuries of tradition, formed the basis for his love and belief in the classical dressage training methods which he stood by unwavering throughout his riding, training and coaching life. After Vienna, he spent several years in the late 1950s as assistant to Olympic Gold Medalist, Georg Wahl in Berne, Switzerland.
While in Switzerland, Melle met Rosemary (nee Klein), whom he married in 1964. Together they had four children, Robert, Franzi, Mark and Nienke, who were all born in Switzerland. Melle took a long hiatus from horses after his beloved Anglo-Arab, St Tropez, was nominated to represent Switzerland at the Munich Olympics, but tragically died from colic three days later.
In 1981 Melle uprooted his family for the second time and moved them all to California to work as a dressage coach with the United States Equestrian Team. There they settled in Salinas, from where Melle traveled widely to give clinics from Seattle to Los Angeles, as well as Arizona and Idaho. It was during this period that Melle transferred his love, passion and vast knowledge of horses to his oldest daughter Franzi, who managed his stable during these absences. Although he later returned to New Zealand, Melle continued giving clinics in the U.S. up to 2005, supporting a strong following of his classical dressage training methods.
Lovingly referred to as Papi by his children and grandchildren, Melle will be sorely missed.

Terry Hamilton’s Horse, Rossi, Dies Of Heart Attack On Way To The Trails
California Riding Magazine sends their condolences to the Backcountry Horsemen of California’s Public Lands Officer, Terry Hamilton, on the recent loss of her horse, Rossi. Rossi died as the pair were heading out for another day of trail riding from what appeared to be a heart attack. Terry is thankful that it was quick and Rossi is now at rest. Terry’s mom owned Rossi’s dam, so he and Terry were family for all his 23 years. Cheryl Wegner, president of the San Diego unit described Rossi in their newsletter as a proud guy that was great to be around. She also says he will be deeply missed by his many friends, both two legged and four.

Trail Advocate Graciela “Grace” Terrazas Passes Away
The Ramona Trails Association (RTA) was deeply saddened to announce the death of long time advocate Grace Terrazas. For the past 11 years Grace served the United States Forest Service as a district ranger for the Cleveland National Forest in the Palomar District. She held many positions in the Forest Service, including Forest Resource Officer, Biological Science Planner, Plant Physiologist, Geological Planner, Peace Corps volunteer, and has worked in International Forestry in both Puerto Rico and Washington offices. As a district ranger she managed over 100 employees in a diverse range of fields and handled the district’s budget and helped set their organizational goals.
She was active in the community of Ramona and was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Ramona Rotary Club. Grace served as an acting forest resource officer, a regional ecosystem team member and, when needed, she responded to disaster throughout the country.
Grace passed away unexpected on May 16 at the age of 55 and will be sorely missed by friends, co-workers and the RTA. She is survived by her son Theodore and his wife Jacqui of Escondido, their three children, Daisy, Anthony, and Jazmin, by her four brothers, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews.

Flying Changes welcomes your submissions. Please tell us about what’s happening in your life and/or at your barn: births, deaths, engagements, marriages, new management and barn moves. Please send your reports to Rebecca Sparenberg at rebecca@ridingmagazine.com or fax 858-268-0397. Photos welcome!