When I grow up, I want to be Dr. Betsee Parker!

[Mara]

After seeing her name so many times in so many results - WEF, the various Hunter Derbies, and she owned 3 of the 6 champions at Pony Finals, to name a few -I finally had to Google her out of curiosity.

Wow. What an amazing woman. A Ph.D in theology, many years as an Episcopal minister, and extensive support and participation in hunter-jumper land. Seems like a lot of young riders really get a chance to develop riding and showing her ponies. She’s no slouch as a rider herself, if results are any indication.

No real point to this thread except to say I admire people like her, who really get out and do.

[KayPink]

You inspired me to Google her as well. Amazing all the work she did at Ground Zero in NYC! The article I read said she has a young daughter - I wonder if she rides as well? Dr. Parker certainly seems like an amazing lady :yes:

[Mara]

I can’t believe I forgot to mention her Ground Zero work. <facepalm>

[BAC]

There was an article about her a few years ago in Covertside, the foxhunting magazine, about the old estate she renovated. She sounds like a fascinating person and she certainly has great taste in ponies. Those kids that ride for her are so lucky. :yes:

[Tha_Ridge]

I know her daughter rides some, but she’s still pretty young - 6 or 7, I believe.

Parker’s estate in Middleburg, Va., is really impressive.

[slp]

You forgot to mention the part about marrying a man 30 years older than herself with lots and lots of $$$. That certainly contributed to the horse part of her life. :eek:

[Calvincrowe]

Boo! SLP, that was unnecessary. Clearly, her marital status is not required to admire an accomplished woman who gives back to the H/J world as well as the secular and religious one.

[Tha_Ridge]

[QUOTE=Calvincrowe;5038290]
Boo! SLP, that was unnecessary. Clearly, her marital status is not required to admire an accomplished woman who gives back to the H/J world as well as the secular and religious one.[/QUOTE]

Not entirely unnecessary… I mean, it’s worth noting that the money she’s spending isn’t necessarily money she worked for.

[BAC]

@slp;5038284

You forgot to mention the part about marrying a man 30 years older than herself with lots and lots of $$$. That certainly contributed to the horse part of her life. :eek:

So what if her husband was older and wealthy? Your nasty remark was uncalled for and petty.

[Calvincrowe]

So everyone should only spend money they “worked” for when dealing with horses?? Don’t be silly. I have no clue who Betsee is, but she seems like a decent, hardworking, generous, educated, compassionate woman. I don’t see how a younger, wealthy husband is pertinent to this thread.

[RumoursFollow]

Who gives a poop who shes married to? Whomever he is, her didnt buy her a PhD, do her homework in seminary, and deposit her butt at ground zero and force her humanitarian efforts. How lucky she must feel to be blessed with the means to help so many.

And yes, great ponies. I couldnt name a current one but I do know that many times I’ve looked at results from something and seen her name and been mesmerized by whatever it was she owned.

[Tamsin]

[QUOTE=slp;5038284]
You forgot to mention the part about marrying a man 30 years older than herself with lots and lots of $$$. That certainly contributed to the horse part of her life. :eek:[/QUOTE]

I think this comment is very relevant and not particularly nasty. It explains why she owns an impressive estate and a lot of exceedingly expensive horses. A Ph.D. in theology and being a minister is great, but wouldn’t allow her to have such a luxurious lifestyle. Now we know why she’s so wealthy and able to participate in horse showing at such a high level. I don’t mean any disrespect for Dr. Parker. So what if she married an older man and gained a fortune? It doesn’t bother me and I don’t see why it’s considered nasty to mention it.

[lauriep]

[QUOTE=slp;5038284]
You forgot to mention the part about marrying a man 30 years older than herself with lots and lots of $$$. That certainly contributed to the horse part of her life. :eek:[/QUOTE]

Betsee and I grew up together, and horses have ALWAYS been a part of her life. She is extraordinarily intelligent and generous, and has certainly made a life, LONG before she married this man, that was also extraordinary. She was seriously involved with the east coast h/j circuit through a trainer named Michael Hart back in the 80s. She no longer rides due to an injury, but knows good horses and enjoys supporting them, and young riders.

Her attention to detail, and devotion to historical accuracy, is demonstrated in every inch of Huntland. It is beyond beautiful.

[lys]

seriously, she’s the coolest!

[Mara]

[QUOTE=lauriep;5038554]
Betsee and I grew up together, and horses have ALWAYS been a part of her life. She is extraordinarily intelligent and generous, and has certainly made a life, LONG before she married this man, that was also extraordinary. She was seriously involved with the east coast h/j circuit through a trainer named Michael Hart back in the 80s. She no longer rides due to an injury, but knows good horses and enjoys supporting them, and young riders.

Her attention to detail, and devotion to historical accuracy, is demonstrated in every inch of Huntland. It is beyond beautiful.[/QUOTE]

Nice to get some input from someone who knows her.
Seriously, who cares where the money came from? It doesn’t make someone any smarter or more capable or motivated or compassionate. It can help open certain doors and smooth some pathways, yes.
In the long run it’s the individual that makes the difference, though.

[GrayCatFarm]

It’s not about where the money comes from, it’s about how you use it. She supports the industry and a lot of people have benefitted from her very nice horses (including horses themselves). Hope I can do this when I’m too old to ride.

[mvp]

[QUOTE=Calvincrowe;5038290]
Boo! SLP, that was unnecessary. Clearly, her marital status is not required to admire an accomplished woman who gives back to the H/J world as well as the secular and religious one.[/QUOTE]

With all due respect to you and to someone who used her wealth to good ends, of course it’s necessary in a discussion of a role model for good COTHer!

If you want kudos for work in the religious world and in the hunter jumper world, I suggest you bring some money with you. A PhD in Theology (or just about any other field save economics and some natural sciences) won’t generate it. Just so you know.

I don’t have an opinion on how Betsee Parker acquired her money. I don’t care, it’s not my business and it doesn’t detract from the nobility of the decisions she made when spending it.

[farmgirl88]

I always wondered about her too. I always saw her name popping up with these winning horses and ponies all over the country but never knew much about her. She has wonderful taste in hunters :yes::yes:

How lucky those kids are to pilot those ponies around!!!

As a history buff and a person who is big into old farms that are fullof history…i think i would die if i ever stepped foot on her property!

[sarcam02]

She seems like an amazing person

http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2010/07/31/middleburg_life/hunt_country_people/ma991.txt

[Mia412]

[QUOTE=GrayCatFarm;5040535]
It’s not about where the money comes from, it’s about how you use it. She supports the industry and a lot of people have benefitted from her very nice horses (including horses themselves). Hope I can do this when I’m too old to ride.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you!