Judy Richter Obituary, Death – Judy Hofmann Richter was a genuine horsewoman who had high moral standards and kind nature. She was kind to everyone who came into her life, whether they were people or animals, and she always did whatever she could to help them. Due to the fact that, as her lifelong friend Jimmy Lee put it, “There will not be another,” a lot of things were taken away from us when she passed away today. Judy, who is 83 years old, was admitted to the hospital a week ago after she reported having problems breathing and seeing double. On her Facebook page, she introduced herself as an “author,” and it’s true that she’s the author of a number of best-selling books, including the melancholy autobiography “Some Favorite Days.” After receiving her degree from Smith College, she worked as a teacher at a private school before becoming a judge for the United States Equestrian Federation and achieving great success as a trainer.
Andre Dignelli, one of Judy’s most successful students and a winner of the 1985 U.S. Equestrian Team Talent Search Finals as well as a team bronze medal at the 1991 Pan American Games, referred to his teacher as “a forceful person, a tall woman with a genuine presence about her.” She oozed confidence and was quite generous with her time. Judy was deemed “extremely exceptional” by Andre as well as by Michael, Andre’s brother, who co-manages Heritage Farm in New York with him. Judy and her late sister Carol Hofmann Thompson, who competed on the United States Equestrian Team, spent their childhood in New Jersey and went to Kent Place School in Summit, which is also where Jimmy was Judy’s prom date. After the prom, he and Judy, along with their friends, proceeded to the Watchung Stables in Union County, which was a few miles away, “because I had just purchased a new horse, and of course, we wanted to ride him in the dark.” Throughout the years, Judy has said this a plethora of times.
Of course, Judy went to the prom wearing her outfit and rode a horse. The Hofmann family had a deep connection to horses and participated not just in foxhunting with the Essex Fox Hounds but also in the most elite levels of horse displaying competition. Their father, Philip, was a four-in-hand driver, and their mother, Mary, held the position of joint District Commissioner for the Somerset Hills Pony Club. Judy Richter wed Max Richter, and the newlyweds bought a property in Bedford, New York, which they named Coker Farm after Mr. Coker, the horse who was responsible for bringing the pair together. (Judy’s mother extended an invitation to Max to ride Mr. Coker, after which Max proposed to Judy that they go on a date.) Judy passed away while still a resident at the farm. Throughout the years, she has owned a number of famous horses, including Glasgow, the winner of the American Invitational. Glasgow was initially ridden to great success by Olympic medalist Norman Dello Joio, and later on, Judy’s son, Philip, rode him to great success.
After learning to ride under Judy’s tutelage as a young rider, Ellie Raidt went on to become a trainer at Coker and compete on some very magnificent horses, including Johnny’s Pocket. Alex Dunaif, Peter Lutz, and Kara Hanley are a few of the other riders who did exceptionally well as youngsters while competing at the top level under Judy’s instruction. Ellie’s life was only one of the many that were profoundly impacted by Judy’s presence. “She was the epitome of encouragement and faithfulness. “If it weren’t for her, I don’t know where I’d be,” Ellie remarked. She described how Judy “insisted I learn to become a judge” when they were younger. A picture of the pin that Ellie was given by the USEF to commemorate her 40th year working as a judge was forwarded to Judy by Ellie.
Judy was a wonderful conversationalist who wasn’t scared to say what she thought since she expressed a lot of viewpoints that were grounded in thought and common sense. According to Jimmy’s recollections of her, Judy was undeniably a unique individual. “Judy stood up for what she believed to be right, regardless of whether it was popular at the time or not,” he added. “She did this regardless of whether it was popular at the time or not.” “Above all else, she was an exceptionally good and kind person. We count ourselves extremely fortunate to have known her. Judy is survived by one more son, Hans (Jennifer), as well as two granddaughters, Maxine and Margot. In addition, she is survived by her husband, Philip. Due to the fact that Judy was a cancer survivor, memorial donations can be donated to either the United States Equestrian Team or the American Cancer Society.