I knew Babs for practically my entire life and cannot believe that she has gone from us.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=âip-ubbcode-quoteâ><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ljo:
Iâve read every post and nobody asked why.
86 year oldâs die in their sleep.
Was poor KS suffering from a terminal illness?
She was much,much too young to pass away in her sleep.
May she rest in peace and have internet access where sheâs going. Weâll miss her.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
She would have been 43 on the 21st of June. She had not been feeling âwellâ for some time, but she attributed it to many things, like working too hard, etc. She had cut back in the last year, teaching fewer lessons, taking better care of herself.
Sheâd had surgery for a deviated septum just before Upperville as it was thought that would help with sleep apnea which they had recently diagnosed her with. That went well, and besides the general healing process, she was in good sprits and reported that she was feeling better. But after Upperville (she took the week off work to just hang out there) she was really not feeling well, and Wedsnesday night (the 11th) she canceled most of her lessons and went home before our regular Cavallo Farm dinner group got together. Thursday she saw the doctor and claimed that she was having trouble breathing. The Dr. said it was âjustâ asthma and sent her home with an inhaler. She called some close friends and said that she was worried and not getting better. On Friday she did not wake up.
Thatâs it. That is the explanation for why/how we have had such a fantastic friend viciously stolen from us when she was supposed to live forever.
Those of us at Cavallo Farm do not have any more information. It does not seem like a reason at all. We do not know whether the family will request an autopsy.
I should add that this is the information that Babs gave to several of us in conversations over the past year, month and week â It is entirely possible that she did not convey what the doctor actually said, or the cause of why she did not feel well. We are struggling too with this and cannot get our heads around it yet.
Having the real reason wonât fill the big empty hole left behind.
[This message was edited by larosa90 on Jun. 15, 2003 at 10:15 PM.]
Iâm also stunned by this news and send my condolences to her family and friends.
So terribly sorry to hear of this~ 
Godspeed to you, Kennett Square~ you will be greatly missed! Thoughts and prayers going out to her friends & family⊠
II===II SUZ II===II
âKICK ON, AIDEN!â 
SCâerâs CliqueGroup W Bench Clique*
So sad.
If Walmart is lowering prices every day,
how come nothing is free yet?
Help control the pet population- Spay and Neuter your pets!
Babs was always fun. Iâm glad we came to the last FPP get together and had the opportunity to see her. Of course, she ahrrased me about not bringing the chocolate mousse.
As much as we used to kid about Hunter riders versus eventers, I always remember the compliment she gave me and my horse at FPP. It meant a lot coming from someone like Babs.
I hope we can all get together and have a round of Cranberry juice and absolut. Iâll bring the mousse.
âI thought I was dead once but it turns out, I was only in Nebraska.â
Im comeing in late on this but when I first got here years ago she sent me an email telling me to not get down on myself. She was one of the first people to welcome me here. For those who donât know me Im CTT and severly dyslexic and spell very phoneticly. People made fun of me all the time calling me ignorant or a down right retard. For those who do know me know Im fare from any of that. I just have a probblem with spelling.
I think her letter went like this âCTT welcome! I heard a bit about you and your problem and if people have a problem with you Iâll give them my .02 cents worth. Stick aroundâ She lived up to that promiss.
I actualy was working on a letter to post today about how Im such a pack rat and keep so many of your emails. We have lost many good friends over the past year and It saddens me to think they are not here. I was going to title it âOld memories that keep on kickingâ
We are the bigest family out there and for all who have been blessed with haveing that feeling knows that none of us are ever alone. I still get letters from time to time wondering if Im still alive. Here I am still kicking just busy with work and manageing a life.
For those who see me around you know I can be found in a nightly chat room one of the members here set up. I miss you all dearly and many of you I think about often. Some of you have impacted me in ways that made me make turns in my life. Snowbird made me strive to use my brain even when I felt like people would make fun of me, Weatherford made me feel like I ment something and for what she has done for me mentaly, I am due on a loan I can never repay. Portia if it wasnât for you I would still be that person afraid of shareing and would never had nerve to get past my fear. To all who jumped on the band wagon when I got craped on. As for Babs NO ONE CAN REPLACE HER! She has touched so many directly and indirectly. For her special whit and guidence we have all been touched and even become better striveing people. I think she knew that though, in the smiles and laughter we all shared thanks to her. I know she is with each and every one of us and for those who knew her, her lessons taught are now life lessons.
She is a person who would rather hear laughter than to see tears. Anyone have plans for year ends yet to mamorialize her. I think a year end trophy for her zone would be a good idea. For the rider who shows her quality in the world of horses with the love and compassion she bestowed on everyone. She deserves something like that in my opinion.
To all my life friends, you know who you are, Thanks for helping me live a better life and be a better person. You all are amazeing!
Charlotte Trippe
[This message was edited by CTT on Jun. 21, 2003 at 04:32 AM.]
<BLOCKQUOTE class=âip-ubbcode-quoteâ><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Inverness:
So many good memories! We had the most hysterical roadtrip to Rolex '02. It was like being in college again - particularly given the speeding ticket in east bejeesus WV (As she told the officer, âYou are the lucky winner; I was way overdue for this one.â I donât think it helped the situation. 
I donât think Babs ever forgave me for sneaking that Tipperary helmet (a/k/a âthe abominationâ) into the trunk of her car. 
Baboâisms that stick in my mind:
âwhat is it that you are doing out there miss western pleasure rider??!!â
âyou canât be a lady and learn to sit the trot.â
âuse your crotch! Youâre an adult, I know you know how.â
âOh good gaaawwd, fix that [leg, hand, seat, elbow, hip, head]; you are riding like âInvernessâ and none of us want that!â
âAm I going to have to beat you??!!â
To Suzrox: âoh here we go, Miss Sassy-Lippy is here.â
âYou are not putting this body on a pair of skiis and sending it hurtling down some mountain.â
The one we all dreaded: âCome over here and talk to me.â
âEveryone get out of the way, âInvernessâ is going to canter.â
âDo you steer like that on the Beltway??!!!â
âDonât start with me Michael, Iâm in no mood.â
A person is prohibited to eat until he first feeds his animals.
- Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 40a
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
InvernessâŠthese were good onesâŠmade me chuckle. I could hear her saying each one.
"I NOW INFORM YOU THAT YOU ARE TOO FAR FROM REALITY."
Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, Iraqi Minister of Information
"Life ain't certain...ride your best horse first." UnknownNo itâs not fair. But you rode the socks off that pony this weekend Paige and that was an excellent tribute to the coaching that Babs gave to you. She is still there, behind you and all of us, all the way.
[This message was edited by larosa90 on Jun. 16, 2003 at 04:54 PM.]
Thereâs this huge part of me thatâs completely baffled.
How can lively, lovely, spirited Babs not be with us? How is it that I saw her just over a year ago - and sheâs no no longer with us? Ugh!!!
I am completely confused and distraught. And then, Iâm utterly sad. How many damned deaths do we need to contend with? Arenât our cyber friends supposed to be immortal?
Please, someone fill us in.
Celebration of Babâs Life
Cavallo Farm owners Michael and Marie Bertozzi invite all Babsâ friends to come celebrate the life of Babs at their house, adjacent to Cavallo Farm.
Where: 25154 Gum Spring Rd., Chantilly, Va
When: 6:30 pm Thursday June 19
Please bring a dish to pass and your favorite story to share. The official drink for toasts will be Absolute and Cranberry, though other beverage options will be available.
If you need directions to Cavallo Farm, please contact us.
{{{{{{ H U G S }}}}}} to you, Wingsie!
âB***h in trainingâ
<BLOCKQUOTE class=âip-ubbcode-quoteâ><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peggy: Gallop on KS âŠ<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well said.
Gallop on, KS.
Oh great Bab-o!
I donât know where to begin. While I am sad that we wonât have more fun times on Earth together, I canât help but start laughing whenever I think of you. There are countless funny stories I could relate - but the one that takes the cake by far was the party at Mr. Schockâs during Upperville of '02. Me and Mr. Cavallo - discussing electro-ejaculating bulls in front of you and my Yankee - all the while eating an 8-gallon tub of cream puffs. Just the thought of your antics that evening make me laugh til my stomach hurts. I am amazed beyond belief that we were even allowed back at that show this year.
You were the ultimate party person. You know that age old question, âIf you were throwing a dinner party and could invite 5 famous people - who would they be?â Well you would definitely be one. The epitome of a conversationalist - you turned any dull moment into a hysterical one.
In your honor, and in order to carry on your sassy-lippy-nessâŠ
- I will get Mr. Cornwell to ride a mechanical bull
-I will see to it that the Counselor and Kats ride (whether on horse or in wheelchair) off into the sunset together - While you often criticized me for not hitting the points trail with more efforts, I have plenty of friends that will not fail you
- I will roll my eyes at Private Dancer and tell him he is full of sh*t every chance I get - and I will do it with a smile on my face
- I will kick back a Bahama Mama for you at the Shark Club
- I will do my best to re-enact the âKennett Square at Bruce Davidsonâsâ memoirs the next time I go hunting.
- I will make sure Colin names her daughter Babette
- I will have Ms. Hough make me a Patey with a built in tiara
Do not fear KS, there are plenty of us sassy girls left to see to it that your attitude is never absent from the ingate.
I am so glad we got to stir up trouble for a brief moment at this yearâs edition of Americaâs oldest horse show. It was so much fun to recall so many great Bab-o moments with your friends at Loudoun yesterday.
Love you much and VA showing just ainât gonna be the same!
All hail - The Queen of Horse Showing.
Much love, Jessi and The Yankee
*PS - I am really hoping that Moesha will re-post the picture of you giving Mr. Workman a lesson on Pockets
This still has not sunk in. Iâve known Babs on and off for 20 years, and while I didnât see her often, I truly cherished the moments I had with her. Your tributes are beautiful. My eyes just wonât focus through the tearsâŠ
~<>~ COTHBB Leather Care Guru~<>~
~Member of the Horse Vans Rock clique~
I am really shocked as well. My prayers are with her family members and her Cavallo family.
I didnât know Babs that well - one of my oldest friends since childhood (Iâll call her S) rode with Peter and Dale in the mid-80s and she knew Babs. When my friend and I got back into riding a few years ago after taking extended school/career breaks, we started hitting the local shows again.
When we went to some shows at Cavallo my friend introduced me to Babs, and I was struck by her outsized personality and infectious laugh, as well as her kind and encouraging words for my friendâs green young horse.
At the first COTH outing I went to in December of 2001 (the Magpieâs gig) Babs was there, immediately remembering that I was Sâs friend and generally making me feel like I was a welcome part of the group - even though I didnât know anyone.
Elghund, as I recall that evening we all got to enjoy that amazing mousse of yours!
I guess thatâs the kind of person she was - she was a bright bright light who drew everyone in and everyone just wanted to be around her. The epitome of fun, graciousness and zest for seeking laughter in life.
Again, I didnât know her well and only saw her a few times in 2002. That said, I was out at Cavallo inquiring about boarding in early April of this year and I was really bummed that she wasnât there and I wouldnât get an opportunity to chat/dish with her for a bit.
Thatâs all - if those few occasions that I knew her were that memorable and fun, I cannot imagine the shock and pain her dear friends and family must be going through right now.
I am so so sorry for all of you. May the Lordâs comfort be with you in these difficult days.
[This message was edited by Flashy Gray on Jun. 16, 2003 at 02:35 PM.]
Like many others, I only âknewâ her here, but her posts and the reminiscences here make me wish I knew her better. Gallop on KS and find my friend Missy a fast black horse.
Miranda Scott, a good friend of Babâs gave this speech at the Loudoun Benefit:
`
"A good friend of mine, Barbara Meegan, passed away Friday the thirteenth. Babs will be greatly missed by all who knew her in our horse show community. Babs was a larger than life character with a great sense of humour and a heart of gold. Every day she was with us she had a positive message for all.
She has left us way too soon.
Instead of a moment of silence, I would like to propose a day of celebration in honour of Babsâ life.
I have a ton of stories to share - like the one about the Tammy Faye Baker look alike contest - one of many fond memories Iâd like to share.
So during your busy day - take a moment to remember our vivacious Babs."
The chair at the head of my table sits empty.
That is where Babs used to sit, and it suited her. She was the center of attention, you could not ignore her, but she did not make you feel insignificant - she made you feel good with a joke, a smile and a laugh. It was what made her a great teacher.
The first time I met Babs she walked into my barn and interviewed me as to whether I would be an acceptable boss, or just âthat loud guy from the Great Falls Horse Centerâ. From that day on, she wos one of my greatest supporters and dearest friends. Babs was a part of the farm that will never be replaced.
She was truly my partner.
We swapped students and advice, made big decisions together and could relish in each others successes.
I will hire another instructor, but my partner and friend is gone.
From now on when we sit down at that table, we will always look at that chair. It sits empty now with loss and sadness. But we must fill it with the joy and happiness that she brought to all of us.
She will be dearly missed, but NEVER FORGOTTEN.
-Michael Bertozzi
Iâve been away for a bit and just saw this thread. How very sad that so many students lost their teacher, so many friends lost a pal, so many horse people lost a mentor⊠and we here lost a kind, witty and informative contributor.
