Gentleman Jack (Jake)
The incomparable and much-loved Jake was humanely laid to rest on June 23, 2026. At age 31, we could see that the end was drawing near, but he had good days right up until the end. Maybe he somehow knew a “date with destiny” had been set for the next week, and decided to take himself out on his own terms by staging an acute event. Who knows—but I wouldn’t put it past Jake. He was like that.
Jake raced (earning a whopping $8,000+!) under the name of Jac-O-Turn for Northview Farms until he was three and came to me. We have been partners for 28 years. We learned the sport of Eventing together, and rode from Beginner Novice up to the Preliminary level until 2007, winning third in the Area VIII Preliminary Championships that year at Richland Park Horse Trials (MI). Philippa Humphrey rode him at the Intermediate level in 2008 before he went briefly to two other owners, and finally back to me for a well-earned retirement.
I owe a huge debt to gratitude to the multitude of people who were part of Team Jake over the years, starting with my longtime friend and coach, Kathy Walters, BHSAI, who taught us from the get-go until we were ready to ride at Preliminary. To her credit, she sent me up to others who knew that level since she hadn’t ridden it. For some time, I had support at competitions with Cathy Wieschoff (KY) for course walks and advice until Philippa Humphrey arrived from the UK and took me on as one of her first clients. Another highlight was the time in 2003 when we trained for a week and then competed in Kentucky with Olympians David & Karen O’Connor.
And the vets! God bless ‘em all, especially Jeff Bunn, DVM, who was with us from the start. He and Stephanie Ruby, DVM, (Equine Medical, Lowell) were there for me and Jake many times over the years, and when they couldn’t help, others stepped in. Pam DiTonto was a steady member of the team as Jake’s chiropractor. There were so many others: massage therapists, saddle fitters, equipment and trailer folks, the whole she-bang of what it takes to ride at the levels we sought. Jake loved you all, and for you, I remain grateful even if you’re not named here.
And his stables! He was among the first to board at the new Thomet Stables (Ada) and lived there for the better part of 20 years, off and on. In Kalamazoo, we stayed with Diane Marcina for a couple of years. Later in his retirement, Jake was coddled and loved and fed abundantly by the finest horsewoman, Janet Bowman, at her farm (Rockford). His final stay was with the very capable Dani Harrison and her family at El Caballo Loco Farm (Ada). Wherever he went, Jake made human and equine friends easily, deeply valuing all his pasture buddies (as long as he could be at the top of the herd heap).
Even after his glory years, while Ashley Tittle was riding him, he remained a celebrity. At one event while they were head for the cross-country jumping, two girls stopped, startled, and asked, “Is that the famous Gentleman Jack?” He still had that magical vibe. He was also notorious for “Jake moments” as we called them (usually involving some hefty bucking, one bout of which left me with a broken nose...). Oh, Jake: you had a unique and special spark. It was a great honor to be his human for all these years.
RIP, my friend. You owed me nothing. Your memory will not fade for me.
