US Equestrian sends our condolences to all those who knew and loved Cecile Hetzel Dunn, who passed away July 26 at the age of 89.  A well-respected and much-admired equestrian across multiple breeds and disciplines, Dunn was well known for her devotion to the horse and the sport, and for her unwavering dedication to providing guidance to the younger generation. 

A life-long equestrian, Dunn learned to ride her pony before she could walk.  She began her professional career as an instructor at her family’s farm in South Miami, Florida. 

After graduating from Stephens College majoring in equestrian studies, Dunn worked at Northwestern State University to develop their equestrian studies program. She then returned to her alma mater as a professor and director of their Equestrian Department. From there, Dunn went to Salem International University to develop their Equine Careers and Industry Management degree program as well as a horsemanship teaching certification program. As a professor and coach, she inspired young equestrians, helped them set realistic goals and guided them toward future careers in the industry. 

Dunn was a dedicated volunteer who contributed countless hours to equestrian governance. She was a founding member of the US Equestrian Federation Board of Directors when the organization was formed in 2003, and she continued her service as a director until January of 2014. Additionally, she served for decades on many USEF committees and councils across multiple breeds and disciplines and on several administrative committees, including 12 years on the USEF Hearing Committee, 17 years on the Licensed Officials Committee, and eight years on the National Breeds and Disciplines Council. She was also heavily involved in the Arabian Horse Association as a founding member and also served as the Region 6 Director and on various AHA committees. 

Dunn was an active licensed official who held a total of two Stewards’ and ten Judging licenses in her 49-year officiating career.  She first earned her judging licenses in 1973 in Arabian, Saddlebred, Saddle Seat Equitation, Western, and Western Seat Equitation.  Later, she added Judges’ cards in Andalusian/Lusitano, Connemara, Friesian, National Show Horse, and Welsh to her resume. Dunn was also a licensed Steward, first earning her license in 1974 and had the distinction of holding both her C1 and her C2 Steward credentials.  

Dunn officiated major championship events through the years, including Pin Oak, AHA Arabian/Half-Arabian National Championships, IALHA National Championships, IFSHA Friesian Word and Grand National Championship, UPHA/American Royal National Championship, WPSCA American National Championship, World’s Championship Horse Show, Saddle Seat World Cup, and countless breed Regional Championships over the decades. 

In 2023, Dunn was honored with the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of service to the equestrian community.  Click here to view the video honoring her career and achievements.  

 “Cecile was a good friend, and I will miss working with her,” said Bill Moroney, CEO of US Equestrian.  “Her work as a licensed official, professor, and coach inspired many young equestrians. Cecile was a champion of horse and athlete safety and welfare and was a staunch advocate of integrity and fairness in competition. Her dedication to equestrian sport left the industry better for her years of service and involvement.  

“US Equestrian sends its most heartfelt condolences to Cecile’s daughters and well-known equestrians, Martha Rattner and Merri Murdock Krehl.” 

In lieu of flowers, Cecile’s family has requested that donations be made to the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund in her honor: https://www.horsemensdistressfund.com/