Goodbye my friend. RIP Don Little, MFH. Myopia

Goodbye my friend.

For those of you who did not know Don Little, MFH at Myopia, he was a gentleman among men. Poised and generous. He singlehandedly devoted much time to the resurrection of Myopia and furthered the sport. Don was always welcomed at Guilford and he will be terribly missed.

At lease he left this Earth as all horseman would want to. On his own terms. I will miss him.

February 29, 2012 – Donald V. Little died peacefully late this afternoon from injuries sustained on Sunday, February 26, when his horse fell while jumping a fence during the Masters Classic in the International Arena at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.

Judith A. Little, Don’s wife of 57 years, said, “I will miss him so much. Donald died doing what he loved. He was loved and respected by so many people, including his fellow competitors, partners and team members in the horse worlds of polo, field hunting, show jumping and thoroughbred racing as well as in all other aspects of his life.”

Don was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and spent most of his adult life as a resident of Ipswich, MA. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and was an avid pilot and a U.S. Air Force veteran where he was the youngest aircraft commander in the Strategic Air Command. He was also captain of Myopia Hunt Club Polo for 18 years, past president of the United States Polo Association, current Master of the Foxhounds of the Myopia Hunt Club, and Founder and Chairman of Centennial Farms which raced winners of many stakes races, including the Belmont Stakes in 1993 and the inaugural Breeders Cup Dirt Mile in 2007. Professionally, he was a highly successful broker and investment manager at UBS and its predecessor companies, PaineWebber and Kidder Peabody.

In addition to his wife Judy, Don is survived by a son, Donald V. Little, Jr., and a daughter, Andrea Little Eaton, both of Ipswich, MA, a sister Patricia Moseley of Hamilton, MA, a brother, Crocker Snow, Jr. of Ipswich, MA, a brother, Andrew J. Little of Chipping Norton, England, and grandchildren Tapley D. Eaton, Donald V. Little, III, James D. Little and Isabella H. Eaton.

Very sad, my condolences to his family and friends.

Very Sad… Heartbroken

May he Rest In Peace! I was never formally introduced to him but had the pleasure to hunt in his company at the all New England Joint meet. It is a huge loss in so many ways.

God bless his family and may they find strength in his legacy!

Very sad news. Though I agree- a good way to exit this life.

Deepest sympathy to his wife and kids, and to all who knew him. I hope it is a consolation that he died doing what he loved.

:frowning:

Although I encountered him on only a few occasions, I will miss his presence in the hunting community. I can only imagine how his family and close friends will miss him. Godspeed, Mr. Little.

shocked and saddened, R. I .P.

It was a shock to read that today:eek:!He was obviously respected and loved by many; how did the fall happen? Did the horse fall also?

[QUOTE=Carol Ames;6172319]
It was a shock to read that today:eek:!He was obviously respected and loved by many; how did the fall happen? Did the horse fall also?[/QUOTE]

Details here:

http://hamilton-wenham.patch.com/articles/myopia-horseman-donald-little-injured-while-competing-in-florida

RIP

My favorite thing regarding Don’s fall came from Kim Tudor who wrote that she heard from many of his friends to ask where did the acccident happen?
Was it on the polo field? Was it fox hunting? Was it at the race track? Was it show jumping? That kind of says it all, doesn’t it? The man loved horses and horse sports. Don’t think we will have one like him soon.

And to his family, I know it was a great ride. I know he was grateful to have you whipping and blowing the horn at his side.

Kick on, Don.

His contributions to the Myopia Hunt and Polo Club will be an outstanding memorial to a great man! He was welcoming to all New England hunt clubs and a more hospitable MFH you’ll never meet. I will personally miss his presence at the meets next season.