SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Wednesday, September 04 2013 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

A Brief Life – Full of Grace

By Lauren R. Giannini

 

The “I Ride To Be Fearless” jump was built as a surprise for Avery by donations from her barn family. Avery loved Taylor Swift and Taylor’s song Fearless. The "I Ride To Be Fearless" phrase became the inspiration in honor of Avery's fight. Photo by Rochelle Costanza

The “I Ride To Be Fearless” jump was built as a surprise for Avery by donations from her barn family. Avery loved Taylor Swift and Taylor’s song Fearless. The “I Ride To Be Fearless” phrase became the inspiration in honor of Avery’s fight.
Photo by Rochelle Costanza

Avery Murray Dudasch, born April 3, 2001, passed away at home embraced by the love of her parents John and Vicki Dudasch, and her beloved dogs, cats, guinea pigs and birds on June 27, 2012. Two days earlier, Avery went to the barn one last time to bid fond adieu to her amazing pony, Grace. She was just a few months past her 11th birthday when she lost a gallant 10-month battle with a rare form of brain cancer. Avery was known for her passion for horses, animals and the beauties of nature. She set the bar high, gave special meaning to the motto “I ride to be fearless” and, for a child of such tender years, demonstrated dignity and courage in the face of her impending demise far beyond the capability of most adults. We are privileged to have the honor of telling the story of a very special person and hope that it inspires you to carpe diem. Life, for Avery, was heartbreakingly far too brief.

 

“I did not grow up with horses, but they were always part of my soul as long as I can remember,” said Vicki Dudasch, who, at 28, started riding in college for PE credit. “I worked every day after that to stay connected to that world.”

 

In 1996, Vicki met Rochelle Costanza, owner and head trainer of Platinum Farms, a family-run three-day event training facility in Franktown, Colorado. “Vicki was unique,” declared Rochelle. “For an adult amateur woman who started later in life she was one of the most fearless people I’ve ever met. She was happy to ride whatever was available, even the difficult horses. She’s not a chicken. She’s fun to teach. That’s very rare. She has a true love of riding and the whole horse relationship. I think she’s amazing.”

 

Avery, with a horse named Paris, at the tender age of two. Although Avery started going to the barn when she was six weeks old, this is when "it began!" Horses were part of her soul.  Photo by Rochelle Costanza

Avery, with a horse named Paris, at the tender age of two. Although Avery started going to the barn when she was six weeks old, this is when “it began!” Horses were part of her soul.
Photo by Rochelle Costanza

According to Vicki, the magical world of horses opened up thanks to Rochelle, who “let me hang around, cleaning stalls and riding whatever she had available” and their friendship grew ever stronger over the years. Five years after Vicki married John Dudasch, she learned she was pregnant with Avery. The mother-to-be continued to ride, but on the flat only – no jumping.

 

“When Vicki insisted on riding while she was pregnant, I was concerned, but she was still riding my horses,” said Rochelle. “I thought she sat the trot really well with that big old belly.”

 

Avery was only six weeks old when she started accompanying her mother to the barn. “One might say she was nurtured to love horses, but to all who knew her it was apparent that they were part of her soul,” said Vicki. “Avery had the horse gene.”

 

Apples don’t fall far from the tree, of course, and Avery proved to be a cheerful, easy-going infant and toddler. Rochelle started parking the two-year-old on a pony during Vicki’s lesson, and Avery’s delight knew no bounds. “From day one when she started coming to the farm, she never cried, she never fussed. She loved being at the barn with the animals,” recalled Rochelle.

 

Vicki, John and Avery.  Photo by Matt Allen of M David Media

Vicki, John and Avery.
Photo by Matt Allen of M David Media

When the family moved to Oregon in 2004 for John’s job (engineering and construction), Vicki suffered worse than Avery, but part of the deal included a bribe: Vicki could buy a horse to take to their new home. Her first ever horse, Aly, was an off-the-track-Thoroughbred, 14, and hotter than a firecracker (still is at 23). After nearly three years, John finished the Oregon highway project and the family returned to Colorado. Mom and daughter couldn’t wait to get back to Platinum Farms.

 

Returning to Colorado started the wonder years for the Dudasch family. Vicki continued to compete Aly, who served as the rider’s schoolmaster. “She taught me patience, perseverance and she was fearless – Aly jumped everything and taught me to go and not be afraid,” said Vicki, who competed the OTTB beginner novice.

 

Meanwhile, Avery made do, riding some ponies belonging to boarders at Platinum Farms. Avery turned six and was eager to continue her equestrian education. In the summer of 2007, Cory arrived and she shared the sweet pony with her best friend, Hayden Hilles. The trio began taking lessons with Rochelle.

 

“Avery was totally not your typical kid. She was an old soul, insightful and very intuitive with animals,” stated Rochelle. “In a lesson she was great. She tried super hard to do everything I taught her. When she wasn’t riding, she would make courses and jump them on foot. She made arenas in her living room, too, and practiced whatever we had been doing in the lesson. I taught her to post without stirrups. She caught on fast. Avery was really easy to teach and willing to do whatever it takes to be a better rider. She hung out with her pony, grooming and washing him. She loved pink and purple accessories for her and the pony. Avery was cool to have around.”

 

Avery and her first pony, Cory, at Aspen Ridge Pair Pace. Photo courtesy of Vicki Dudasch

Avery and her first pony, Cory, at Aspen Ridge Pair Pace.
Photo courtesy of Vicki Dudasch

Like many good ponies, Cory helped Avery build up her horsemanship skills. Avery learned to trot, canter and jump cross-rails with Cory who took care of his rider no matter what she asked him to do. Before long Avery was galloping Cory all by herself in the field. They started competing in little schooling shows and went to a hunter pace when Avery was eight.

 

“Cory had a little hitch and he wasn’t able to jump very high, but he cantered and jumped little cross-rails and logs and gave Avery the confidence to run around in the field all by herself,” explained Vicki. “It made her strong and did a lot of good things for her. Cory was perfect for Avery while we looked for the pony that Avery could go on with and event.”

 

In the spring of 2011, Rochelle found Gracefully Dun. Avery’s new soul mate arrived at Platinum Farms at the end of April, a few weeks after Avery’s 10th birthday. “We were waiting for the pony’s arrival on a school night at 2 a.m.,” recalled Vicki. “When that mare walked off the trailer, Avery and I found ourselves in tears. We were both so happy, and the pony was so beautiful. Little did we know the role that pony would play in our lives. I have always loved being at the barn late at night, and Grace’s arrival during that magical time is a special memory that I hold forever in my heart.”

 

While John never quite embraced riding, he understood how his wife and child felt about horses. He had observed how Avery, from an extremely young age, loved her dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and he was very aware of the special place that horses held in Avery’s heart and life. As soon as she could balance on his back, he indulged his daughter for years playing “horsey daddy,” even submitting to wearing a bridle to make her favorite game more real.

 

“I have to admit the wear and tear on my knees from years of rug-burns was some small part of my motivation to actually get her a real pony once she was old enough to ride,” stated John. “I was fortunate enough to be at her very first combined test (dressage and cross-country) when she was 10. I have to admit that I was very nervous when she started on the cross-country course. She had a few jumps that were challenging for her, but she and her sweet pony Grace made it around the course, and the expression of sheer joy on Avery’s face when she made it over the last jump was a moment that I’ll never forget.”

 

As Avery crossed the finished line, she exclaimed, “I didn’t fall off!” She was weeping tears of joy.

 

To be continued…Part two will appear in the October issue of Sidelines and we will post it on the website once the issue is released.

 

A final goodbye: Friends brought Grace to Avery’s house so she could sit on her pony, feed her carrots, rub her tail, breathe her spirit and say goodbye. Photo courtesy of Vicki Dudasch

A final goodbye: Friends brought Grace to Avery’s house so she could sit on her pony, feed her carrots, rub her tail, breathe her spirit and say goodbye.
Photo courtesy of Vicki Dudasch

 

Please visit the Facebook page Avery’s Grace and “like” it. While you’re there, look in the timeline for three videos, especially the one called “A Very Special Life.”

 

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: Avery Dudasch, brain cancer, colorado, cross-country, eventing, franktown, Gracefully Dun, horse-magazine, I Ride To Be Fearless, lauren r. giannini, Platinum Farms, ponies, pony, Rochelle Costanza, sidelines-magazine, Vicki and John Dudasch

What you can read next

Amy Summer Ellison: From Ponies to Punk Rock to Fine Paper Goods
Developing Healthy Relationships With Your Barnmates
Unbridled With Karen Golding

1 Comment to “ A Brief Life – Full of Grace”

  1. Teresa Riddle says :
    September 6, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    What a wonderful, touching story!!! 🙂 Thanks for posting it…

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Unbridled with Joe Norick! 🐎 Joe Norick stays Unbridled with Joe Norick! 🐎

Joe Norick stays busy with not one but two full-time jobs with companies that span the nation. The first is as a senior vice president for equine, farm and ranch clients with Alliant in West Palm Beach; the second, which he took on in October of 2022, is as the chief customer officer for HITS Shows. But Joe doesn’t care about titles. “I more consider myself the architect of what we’re creating here in the new HITS,” he said.

Along with CEO Peter Englehart, Joe oversees all HITS Shows across the country—which is why he says lately it feels as though his home base has been American Airlines, traveling to each of the six unique HITS venues. “I love the fact that in Ocala we have so many beautiful paddocks, and over 500 acres that you can ride on and the horse can be a horse, and a horseman can be a horseman,” Joe said. “I love the beauty and charm that we have at our Chicago facility. I love the family aspect of Vermont. I love the high level of competition we have at both Del Mar and Saugerties, which we now call HITS Hudson Valley because of the amazing Hudson Valley. I love the tradition that we have in Virginia at our Culpepper facility. They all have something special.”

Get to know Joe in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! and never miss an unbridled by subscribing for just $14.95 A YEAR!  Link in bio!

📸Photo by ESI
Growing up, Zayna Rizvi put fashion ahead of funct Growing up, Zayna Rizvi put fashion ahead of function when it came to her riding attire. “I would only ride my first pony, Buttons, in a princess outfit. I refused to wear regular riding clothes and only wanted to ride in my tutu,” she said.

The 2021 Maclay Finals winner has since shed her tutu and these days can be found sporting breeches and boots as she tackles the jumper ring in the High Juniors, U25 series, the FEI classes in the two-star and three-star divisions and occasionally makes her way back into some equitation classes.

Immersed in the equestrian life from the start, Zayna can be found, if she isn’t doing schoolwork, in the barn trying to refine her riding as she aims to move up the ranks in international competitions.

To read more about Zayna head on over to our website. Link in bio!

📸Portraits by Melissa Fuller
Check out Biostar US for innovative supplements to Check out Biostar US for innovative supplements to support your horse’s gut health! With specific plants found in old English hedgerows, Hedgerow GI supports GI tract homeostasis, microbes, immune cells, metabolites, and the tight junctions of the gut. This exclusive blend provides dimensional support for gut homeostasis.

⏩Link: https://www.biostarus.com/products/hedgerow-gi 

#biostarus #wholefoodforhorses #horses #equestrians #horsecare #equinehealth #hedgerowgi #hedgerows #horseguthealth #horsesupplements
Olivia Williams, who started her riding career in Olivia Williams, who started her riding career in a town with a population of less than 200 people, has now competed at some of the top equestrian destinations all over the country. A sophomore in college, she grew up in San Francisco where she spent the majority of her career riding with Holly and Elizabeth “Lumpy” Kilham at Kilham farms in Nicasio, California. She competed up and down the West Coast, showing everywhere from Desert International Horse Park to the Silicon Valley Equestrian Festival. While living in San Francisco, she got the ride on Irocco Blue S, barn name Rocco. Little did she know at the time that she and the 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood would travel the country together. Olivia and Rocco’s partnership has grown over the years, and she said that no matter where her career takes her, she can’t envision going into the ring without him. When they first met, Rocco and Olivia were both a little green and still learning the ropes of the 1.40m classes.But just a few years after Olivia starting riding Rocco, they now boast an impressive resume together, including competing in the North American Youth Championships (NAYC) and finishing 10th in the Prix des States. At the NAYC, Olivia’s team finished with a bronze medal, and she finished in sixth place individually.
After the championships, Olivia had a lot of decisions to make. She graduated from high school in 2022 and had to decide between two very different life paths: a career in horses or a college education. She managed to find a path that has worked for her throughout her freshman year. 
While she moved away from home to go to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, Rocco moved to Florida to live with Andrew and Alex Welles. Every other week, Olivia flies to Florida to 
compete her horse.

Dying to read more??? Head on over to our website. Link in bio! 

📸Photos by Melissa Fuller, melissafullerphotography33.mypixieset.com #Sidelines #sidelines2023 #sidelinesmagazine #magazine #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • CORRAGIO
    ( Conthargos x Tjungske x Balou du Rouet ) Corragio is a 2012 German Warmblood stallion by Conthargos who exemplifies all the qualities of a top hunter stallion. Corragio has the appearance, a balanced canter, and the looseness of a modern day hunter. He jumps with endless scope,

    [Read more]

  • Andrea Price Valenzuela - Price & Co. Real Estate




    REALTOR, GRI, SRES / Price & Co. Real Estate 2015-2017 SMDRA Diamon Circle Club Member CELL: 303-956-9691 OFFICE: 303-955-5571 andrea@pricecohomes.com RESIDENTIAL / COMMERCIAL / EQUESTRIAN

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West
  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Conor Swail Was the Best Bet in $15,000 CSI2* Markel Insurance Welcome at San Juan Capistrano International
  • Lillie Keenan Leads in CHF68,000 South Coast Plaza Welcome Speed at San Juan Capistrano International CSIO5*
  • McLain Ward Wins CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix at San Juan Capistrano International

Category

Recent Posts

  • Zayna Rizvi: Horses from Family to Finals

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...
  • Samantha Wolfram: Finding Success in America and Overseas

    By Juliana Chapman Portraits by Kirsten Hannah ...
  • Cedar Potts-Warner: At Liberty and Beyond

    Story and Portraits by Jennifer DeMaro   P...
  • Jordan Melfi: Turning a Secret Horse Life Into a Career

    By Veronica Green-Gott Portraits by Shelly Cart...
  • Olivia Williams: From University of Notre Dame to European Dreamin’

    By Veronica Green-Gott Portraits by Melissa Ful...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!