United States Eventing Association

The USEA is saddened to hear about the passing of Phillip Dutton's five-star horse The Foreman this week. He was 29.

The USEA's 2005 Horse of the Year, "Chip" was an off-the-track Thoroughbred (Across The Field x Four Flora) bred by William D. Sams. He raced 21 times and earned one win and one second place before being claimed by steeplechase trainer Bruce Fenwick, who thought he'd make a good event horse. He made his way to Dutton's barn as a 4-year-old with Annie Jones coming on as owner.

Chip started his eventing career in 2001 in a Novice event with Sally Buchheister, then began competing at Training level in 2002 with Dutton. He made it to Advanced by the April 2003, though Dutton admitted he never knew if the gelding would make it that far due to his unique jumping style. They spent eight years at the top of the sport.

Chip was a long format specialist. Together, he and Dutton won the Fair Hill CCI4*-L (Elkton, Maryland) in 2004, as well as CCI4*-S classes at Chatsworth in Georgia and Red Hills in Florida in 2005. That same year, they went on to finish second in the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event when it was still run as a long format, and were second at Burghley in England that fall when it was a long format.

In 2006, they won at Red Hills again and won Fair Hill for a second time in 2007. 2010 was their last international competition where they were sixth in the test event in Kentucky for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

During his retirement, Chip served as a schoolmaster at Preliminary and Intermediate for Dutton's daughter, Lee Lee Jones, then went on to take Alice Roosevelt around Training level until his retirement from eventing in 2015.

He retired to Jones' farm in Unionville, Pennsylvania.

"I want to firstly thank Annie for purchasing 'Chip' for me to compete and also supporting Chip through his career and life," said Dutton in a Facebook post. "He couldn’t have found a better owner. Although he had his quirks, especially at the cross-country start box or presentations, he became a brilliant horse. There was no cross-country course in the world that he couldn’t make time on. Partly because of his humble beginnings, there was a lot of fun and reward by being involved with Chip’s career. Some of the people who worked and helped with him were Sara Sadler, Joanie Morris, and Kevin Keane. Dee Curran cared for Chip during his retirement, especially during the sometimes long Pennsylvania winters. Unfortunately, Dee recently passed as well so they are enjoying their eternity together."

The USEA sends our condolences to Dutton, Jones, and all of Chip's connections.