28 SIDELINES APRIL 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
blue. They didn’t even place. But in that ring, Claire proved to
herself that she could do it
–
and that was an achievement worth
celebrating.
Michael explained: “We always taught Claire – and she learned
this – to always be the same person coming out of the ring that
you were going into the ring. That really resonated with her.” He
added, “It made me realize that she rode horses and competed
them just because she loved doing it. She would ride in happy
and thankful for the experience and she would come out the same
way – no matter what.”
Owner of Savoy Stables (where Claire rode), Mary Dunahay,
agreed that Claire was a special kind of rider. “I know she had
goals, as most of the kids do, but they didn’t eclipse her joy of
just being with her
horse. You could
see it from a mile
away. I know there
has been a lot
said about Claire’s
beautiful smile, but
it’s what I will miss
most about her. It
was so sincere and
genuine, you felt like
it started from the
inside and just spilled out. And
looking back, I don’t think I recall ever seeing her without it.”
Mary said it’s hard not to notice her absence at the barn. Those
who loved Claire can still see her greeting her horse, Graphite,
and walking up and down the barn aisle. They can feel her as they
walk by the jump they created for her during her memorial service.
For them, Claire’s memory will never fade away.
“Claire was consistently sweet and true, and was always
a supportive teammate,” her parents said. “She cheered for
every rider she knew, and was always the first to celebrate their
successes or support them in spite of their losses. She was a
fabulous role model to the younger riders through her quiet,
focused demeanor, her attention to details and her competitive
spirit. Claire enriched the life experience of not only her friends
and family, but just about everyone that knew her or came within
her sphere of influence. She was a friend to many, and she loved
so much.”
Her parents laughed when recalling her barn nickname. She
was so sweet and kind that when she finally earned her nickname
from trainer Rebecca Johnson, she was deemed Fluffy Rainbow
Child. “It was really very fitting for Claire because that’s who she
was,” Desiree laughed.
Looking back, Desiree and Michael are glad to have had shared
so many wonderful memories with their “fluffy rainbow child.” For
Michael, he will forever remember the laughs they shared at
concerts. Desiree will never forget all the days and nights spent
at the barn, she attended every lesson and every single horse
show. She will recall Claire’s desperate need to blast music to get
in her zone (despite Desiree not having had her first cup of coffee)
and the enjoyment
they shared when
Claire stepped into
the ring. Claire’s
parents are lucky
to say they have
no regrets and they
encourage
other
parents to follow that
same path.
“One thing I am
so grateful for is that
we have no regrets because
we put our child first,” Desiree said, tearing up. “We put her first
above our own needs. Nothing else mattered. She wasn’t spoiled
– well, she was kind of spoiled because everyone who rides
horses is – but she never acted spoiled. We just gave her every
advantage and spent so much time with her.”
Michael and Desiree miss their daughter with every ounce of
their being. Her 21-year-old brother, Alexander, misses his sister.
Her two dogs, who still keep her bed warm, miss their best friend.
Her horse, Graphite, still waits for her arrival. Her friends at the
barn and even those who barely knew her at all miss this stunning,
beautiful woman. But everyone who knew her is grateful, because
they are lucky to have known her at all. Not everyone has the
opportunity to meet an angel like Claire Davis.
{
“Claire was consistently sweet and true, and was
always a supportive teammate. She cheered for
every rider she knew, and was always the first
to celebrate their successes or support them in
spite of their losses”
- Michael and Desiree Davis
}
Always do your best.
Claire’s motto was to compete
against herself. She was happy as long as she performed to
the best of her ability.
