Trakehner Community Suffers Loss

Newark, OH, June 22, 2014 --(PR.com)-- A bright light in the Trakehner community has gone out. David Beattie of KD Trakehners in Watertown, Wis., has passed away after a lengthy illness that began with a stroke more than two years ago. He was 78.

Known throughout the Trakehner world as a dedicated visionary and advocate for this historical breed of horse, Beattie was a highly regarded Trakehner breeder and one of the American Trakehner Association’s most active members.

“He was president of the American Trakehner Foundation for six years,” said Marcia Johnson of Rolling Oaks Farm in Elgin, Ill., who took the reins of the ATF after Beattie was unable to continue in the post. “His leadership secured its nonprofit certification, updated its regulations, and stewarded its largest fundraiser to date. Many wonderful spring meetings and inspections took place at the farm, where reliably good horses and food were enjoyed by many friends.”

Beattie, along with his partner Kevin O’Meara, operated KD Trakehners, one of the largest Trakehner farms in North America. O’Meara plans to continue with the farm but will now scale back the operation to some degree.

In addition to his work with the Foundation, which provides for “promotion of the Trakehner horse of East Prussian origin, primarily through education and the fostering of national and international amateur equestrian sports competition,” Beattie also served two terms on the ATA Board of Trustees, was a member of the ATA’s Finance and Risk Management Committee and was active in securing improved insurance coverage for the association and its activities.

Beattie was born in Westchester County, N.Y. A graduate of Dartmouth College in N.H., he was a member of the swimming team there and continued to swim actively each week until recently. He was a senior leader for many years with the global insurance company Aon, in New York City, being spared in the World Trade Center disaster by a fortunate out-of-the-office dentist appointment the day the towers were hit by terrorists on September 11, 2001.

He is survived by three children: James V. Beattie of San Jose, Calif., Elizabeth Beattie Benson of Raleigh, N.C. and Ann Beattie Paul of Bedford Hills, N.Y. He also has a surviving brother, Stuart Beattie, of Palo Alto, Calif.

A memorial service was held at the farm June 14 for a gathering of friends and family. Condolences can be sent to Kevin O’Meara and the Beattie family at N2594 State Road 26, Watertown, WI 53098. The family asks that any memorials in David’s name be sent to the American Trakehner Foundation, 1536 West Church Street, Newark, OH 43055.

Johnson concluded, “It was a privilege to know him. He is already greatly missed.”