American Grand Prix rider Ed Borresen died unexpectedly in his Florida home on Sunday 25 June 2017. He was 62 and passed of an apparent massive heart attack.
Borresen was a fourth generation builder and stone mason and raised in an Air Force military family. He spent a good portion of his life honing his skills in construction design and became a celebrated equestrian facility designer.
With his wife of 42 years, Monica Sinks, he pursued his dreams of training horses and built Willow Spring Farm from the ruins of an old field stone barn. The property became the benchmark from which other barns would be designed. He was celebrated for his gift for stone masonry, using European style and Amish craftsmanship.
Borresen was a USDF Gold Medallist and trained at least eight horses from novice to Grand Prix level himself. He and his wife Monica trained numerous youngsters up the levels and sold them as schooled horses. One of the horses Borresen sold was the renowned Danish warmblood stallion Rambo, which was acquired by Oak Hill Ranch in Louisiana.
Aboard Beemer, an Oldenburg gelding by Laudatio x Aldatus and bred at Gestut Lewitz, Ed won the 2003 U.S. Young Horse Championships and he took him to international small tour level. His last international ride was Salvador JP, which he showed in 2010 and 2011.
Borresen and Sinks were long-time, close friend of Lars Petersen and Melissa Taylor. Petersen got the ride on Beemer in 2009 and competed the horse at international Grand Prix level in the U.S.A. and Europe from 2009 till 2011, after which he became a Grand Prix schoolmaster for Caroline Roffmann.
Two life celebrations for Ed are being planned in Florida and Pennsylvania.
Photos © Sue Stickle
Related Links
Beemer and Fabrice-S Win 2003 U.S. Young Horse Championships
American Horses Selected for the 2008 World Young Horse Championships
Scores: 2011 CDI Raleigh
Scores: 2008 CDI Wellington
Caroline Roffman Wins 2011 Brentina Cup at Festival of Champions