Waiting For the Gates to Open: In Memory of Kathy Clements Hunt

By: Brittany Bevis

As we concluded our coverage of the AQHA World Show and packed up to head home, social media sites were flooded with pictures and posts about the southwestern ice storm that was causing treacherous conditions on roadways from Oklahoma to New Mexico. Now, we are deeply saddened that we must relay the news that one of our friends and fellow competitors in the horse industry was killed over the weekend in a tragic truck and trailer accident on her way home from the 2013 AQHA World Show.

Friend and fellow horse enthusiast, Elizabeth MacLeod, relayed the tragic news about the passing of Kathy Clements Hunt, who actively participated in pleasure driving under the guidance of Kevin and Melissa Dukes.

“She was killed when her truck and trailer hit ice on I-40 outside of Gallup, New Mexico,” MacLeod says. “They slid into the back of a big rig. Kathy was killed, but her husband Tom walked away along with their dogs and their ranch pleasure horse, Woody. Tom is ok, but he is staying in a motel in Gallup until their son, Miles, arrives. The horse is at a vet clinic.”

“We are all in shock, as we just said our goodbyes in OKC…”

The outpouring of support and fond memories that are being shared on Hunt’s Facebook page show how important this mother, wife, and competitor was to so many people in the horse industry and beyond. Mindie Maus, describes her late friend as a non-nonsense lady with “a zest for life that will go unmatched.”

“Kathy was one heck of a woman and had the kindest soul to those she held dear,” Maus says. “She had a no-nonsense attitude and a zest for life that will go unmatched. God must have needed a straight shooting bad *** angel! I sure hope they know what they are in for up there! I will so miss her straight-shooting-no-BS rebuttals to my complaints and issues. I’m often called an outspoken woman, but I will never hold a candle to her! [My daughter] Marley will miss the hats and the driving lessons, but we will keep her spirit alive within our hearts.”

Another member of the Maus household, Marley Mainwairing, will miss her friend, “Mrs. Hunt,” who gave her one of the best birthday presents a little girl could ask for when she was just nine years old. Mindie Maus explains.

“Kathy gave Marley one of the best birthday presents ever,” Maus says. “It was a ride in her cart behind Skyler, and she always let Marley try on her hats. Ever since that ride and trying on her multiple over the top hats, Marley loved pleasure driving. We often joked that we needed to petition AQHA for a youth driving class, because some of the kids know how to drive golf carts better than most adults drive cars! Kathy and I had a plan to teach Marley how to drive when she was old enough, and that’s a promise I will fulfill in her honor.”

Hunt was a frequent competitor at the AQHA Adequan Select World Show, and her horses were often driven in open events by AQHA Professional Horsemen, Kevin and Melissa Dukes. At the 2012 AQHA World Show, Melissa Dukes drove Hunt’s beloved Skys Moon Pie to a win in Senior Pleasure Driving. This year at the 2013 AQHA World Show, Dukes and Skys Moon Pie came in sixth place.

“Kathy and I both LIVE for our horse shows and joked almost daily about creating a support group for those of us that were in need of a horse show and didn’t have one to go to,” Maus says. “[She’d] call it Horse Show Anonymous, and wine would be served at every meeting she always said…”

Another one of Hunt’s friends, Kathee Zurian, fondly recalls her favorite memory with her fellow competitor, which took place just before Hunt won the Select Pleasure Driving at the AQHA World Show a few years ago.

“She came to the barn early to get her cart prepped and herself ready, while I took care of her horse, Skyler,” Zurian says. “She was her nervous self. She was saying things like, ‘I can’t do this… what’s wrong with me… I’m so nervous… I need a glass of wine!’ I knew in my heart that she was ready and Skyler was going to be perfect! I love that horse. He longed good and was ready to go when she arrived.”

“Kathy had picked out one of my favorite outfits and of course her beautiful hat! I rarely watch the events, because I’m back at the barn taking care of the other horses, but this was an exception. I went up to the stands and sat down to watch the entire class. I was so thrilled for Kathy when she drove up into the line up. I knew… I just knew she had won! She and I had a game face and eye-to-eye contact that evening. I looked her in the eye, pointed to her from the stands, and mouthed, ‘You won!’ She didn’t believe me. I sat there until there were just two, and when the second place horse was announced, oh my gosh, I wish everyone could’ve seen her face.”

“This is the joy she brought to the barn every day. Outspoken, yes, opinionated, yes, strong, yes, giving and generous, yes…and she was a beautiful soul and heart. Our horse show family has lost a great one. She was a proud mama and a loving wife. I will never forget her!”

We would like to relay our deepest sympathies to Kathy’s family and friends as well as trainers, Kevin and Melissa Dukes, following the passing of one very special lady. We will pass along memorial and funeral arrangements as soon as that information has been made available to the public.

Without a doubt, we are confident that Hunt is comfortably seated in her cart, wearing one of her fabulous hats, and has a firm grip on the reins waiting for the gates of a different type of arena to open.