In Memory of Michele Arnhold
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of CHJA member Michele Arnhold. Shelly died on December 23rd, while riding one of her beloved horses. If you would like to send your thoughts, sympathy, special memories or condolences, we will be happy to post them on the CHJA web site. They will also be sent to her family. Send them to
A CHJA member since 1968, proudly holding ID number "5", her support, dedication and love of horses will always be remembered. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Equus Foundation in Michele's memory.
Equus Foundation
168 Long Lots Rd
Westport CT 06880
There will be a Memorial Service on February 23rd at 4:00 P.M. at the home of John Arnhold, 12 Town Line Rd. Roxbury, CT 06783
In Memory Of Michele Elizabeth Arnhold
"Shelly"
July 26, 1951-December 23, 2007
We will miss you Shelly...ride in peace.
Godspeed, Shelley. I know you will be riding in heaven.
She was a lovely rider, a great competitor and a wonderful person to be around at the shows.
At every Pines Open Horse Show we could always count on Shelly calling to "see if the class was filled". It was a given, that along with her smile and words of encouragement to others.
God Bless.
-The Foohey Family
I was shocked and saddened to learn about the death of Michele Arnhold. When I started showing Adults back in the early '80s Michelle was there. Big shows, little shows, schooling shows, I always knew I had to ride my best when Michelle was in the class. She made any horse look great on the hunt course and in the ring. You had to be perfect to beat her. I look back on my riding years and Michele was always there. She had one tight leg...I hope you are in Horse Heaven with all your beloved steeds.
Rest in Peace. You will be remembered.
-Jessica Marasco Dills
We will miss you Shelly! Not only was she a great horseman and a wonderful person; she always had a terrific smile which will be missed by everyone who knew her!
May you rest in peace.
-Brenda Tananbaum
Shelly always had a kind word for everyone and words of encouragement for
those of us quite a bit less experienced than she. She will be sorely missed at horse shows. Shelley, her family, and her friends are in our thoughts and prayers.
Gallop on, Shelly.
-Laurie Gundlach
So many of us looked up to Shelly! A great competitor, very consistent, so many Championships--plus never too busy to chat and laugh. And how she loved to tell stories about Carla's grandchildren! We will never forget Shelly--she will be greatly missed.
Happy trails, Shelly!
-Andi and Mark
Shelly always congratulated me on my good trips, and sympathized with my "pilot errors". She was truly a fixture at horse shows, wasn't she? Sadly, this year there will be one less friend to chat with. The competition, camaraderie, and fun of our horse show world is diminished by her passing.
-Hope Ropke
Shelly,
You were indeed one of our most passionate,tenacious and accurate amateur competitors. You won with the best of them, always a smile and a compliment or an encouraging word to everyone around you.Your death was untimely but we must remember how many lives you have touched so generously in your time well spent here. Your stature was tiny, your spirit and spunk so mighty and heartwarming. The horse shows will be different without you. For so many years you kept the bar high in the amateur ranks. Your favorite ride was always the thoroughbred and you made it look so easy time after time. You lived your passion to the fullest right to the end and that is a tribute to a life well-lived. I know that the sky will be bluer and the rainbows brighter when you ride for ribbons in heaven.
Love and peace to you.
-Dee-Dee Hopper
Horse shows in this area will never be the same without Shelly. I have known Shelly for a very very long time and I was so shocked when I received the news of her passing. I always loved watching Shelly when I was growing up, wondering how someone could make it all look so easy. We always shared our little superstitions and how nervous we both secretly were at all the big shows. Although the news was terribly tragic, she passed doing what she loved the most, riding.
God bless and ride in peace.
-Cira Pace
Shelly was one of the best riders I ever knew, she could hop on a green bean and make it look like a lollypop!! Or I can say something else! She was a dedicated true horsewoman. I used to ride with her in the winters up at the Old Norfield in Newtown and will never forget her. I was privileged to know her and to ride both Arty and George. Privileged! She was by far an exceptional rider, one of the best I have ever seen. She was a professional in my eyes and I looked up to her! 1000 percent dedicated to the sport. She breathed horses. I couldn�t believe when I heard of her passing, and the way it had happened.
My prayers are with her family, Carla and her beloved animals.
-Brooke Sheridan
Berthoud, CO
I remember watching Shelly ride Another Round at the Farmington Horse Show when I was showing under fourteen equitation and thinking to myself "that's what I want to do." Shelly was pure inspiration and I admired her immensely as a horsewoman growing up at the shows. It was with great pride that I joined the Amateur-Owner ranks and found myself not only showing with my idol, but being befriended by her as well. She was a joy to compete with: always exceptionally professional in her demeanor and skill. I remember asking her at a horse show one day, when Masquerade was still a baby, "how do you find horses that all go the same?" She smiled and laughed and said "I make them that way." Shelly maintained a level of quality that all the rest of us hoped to aspire to. I often joked that Shelly would die on a horse, and now it has become a heart-wrenching reality.
Our deepest sympathy to Carla Sharp, she and Shelly were quite the team, and to all the people whom Shelly touched.
She will be sorely missed on the show grounds and in the ring.
-Mallory Diedrich & Sherry Matthies
Greystone Farm
While I hardly show at all, it was impossible to attend a show in Connecticut without noticing Shelly Arnhold. What a rider! She made it all look so easy whether schooling, in the show ring, or galloping cross country, and whether the horse was a saint or a sinner on that given day. She was a role model, and someone you always kept in your "minds eye" to emulate when practicing alone. Gallop on, Shelly, on the back of the wind and in stride with the spirits of all of the horses you have ever known and loved, past and present.
We'll miss you, and shows will not be the same!
-Colleen Litof, Georgetown Stable Outfitters