Hunter/jumper trainer Russell Frey collapsed and died at the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Lamplight, Ill., on May 26.
Frey, 56, was in the barn at Lamplight preparing to tack his derby horse when he collapsed. Onlookers started CPR until the medics arrived but nothing could be done to save him.
Frey was based in Batavia, Ill., and most recently spent the winter season working for Kelley Farmer and Larry Glefke at Lane Change Farm during the Winter Equestrian Festival (Fla.). He won both rounds of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby to take home the top check at the close out the winter season aboard Nina Moore’s Kodachrome.
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Frey trained Nicole Hiehle and Lovely Charity to the circuit championship at WEF and the 2015 USEF Horse of the Year in the amateur-owner, 18-35, division. In addition to the hunters, Frey competed at American Quarter Horse Association shows such as the Quarter Horse Congress and World Championships.
He has a daughter, Lydia, with show jumper Kim Prince.
