In Memoriam Caitlin Ben-Dror

Writing this article about my wonderful stay with Dr. Cesar Parra was very difficult to me, because my positive impressions are clouded by the sudden death of the 18-year old Caitlin Ben-Dror.

My visit at Whitehouse Station was fantastic. I was a stranger to the people in the barn, and a far acquaintance to some of the riders, whom I had only met at shows in Florida and Devon. Nevertheless they treated me as a long time friend, which was heart warming.

One of those generous and kind persons as Cesar's place was Caitlin Ben-Dror, who welcomed me with open arms. The first time I talked to her was at 2004 Dressage at Devon, where we chatted about her stay at Eugene Reesink's barn in The Netherlands and discussed her way of braiding horses. "I love the Dutch way much more, but this is the fastest way. The braids come out this evening anyway," she joked.

When I arrived at the barn on Thursday October 28, Caitlin was riding her own horse Navarro. She immediately said hi and we started talking and joking, as if we had been friends forever. The next day, Caitlin's mom came over to the barn to see her daughter. Living five hours away from Whitehouse Station, Caitlin's mother had not seen her daughter in quite some time. I took pictures of Caitlin on Navarro and during the group photo, Caitlin was always in my focus, laughing and smiling, being happy. Her mom posed for a portrait shot while Caitlin was sitting on Charming Boy.

On Sunday afternoon November 22, 2004, I received an email from Emmy Andon that Caitlin had had a severe car accident on Saturday November 21, 2004 (the day before her 19th birthday) and had not survived the crash. Cesar called me the same day, telling me about the tragic accident and how everyone at the barn was in shock. "She was such a good girl, she didn't drink, she didn't smoke and she was such a talented rider," Cesar said. Barn mate Michael Shondel emailed me too, telling me how everyone at the barn was bereaved and leaning on each other in these sad days. "We are all praying," Michael wrote.

We are all deeply struck by Caitlin's death. Caitlin was such a lively, happy girl, yet she was not allowed to live a long, happy life. May God Rest her Soul.

Text by Astrid Appels of Eurodressage.com

Text and Images copyrighted Astrid Appels/Eurodressage.com. No Reproduction Allowed

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