Local student found success as equestrian

By C. Scott Holland

In the spring of 1995, Cottam native Holly Brush Fahringer, an OAC student at Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School, was named the All-Ontario Junior Equestrian of the Year and was nominated for the same award nationally.

Fahringer was the sole trainer of her horse — 16 year-old Polish Arabian gelding, Kal.

She and Kal earned first place finishes in 90 per cent of the classes and shows they entered in 1995, and in the year prior (1994), they had won 54 first-place ribbons.

Among her many Essex County and Windsor fans was Elizabeth Windsor, the owner of Windsor Farms of Leamington.

Windsor had nominated Fahringer for the Gillian Wilson Award and enthusiastically said, “Holly is a terrific, well-rounded rider. She is an exceptional talent. In dressage there are few people who are a pleasure to watch, and Holly is one of them.”

Such praise comes via time-consuming dedication and yet Fahringer also found time to be active in community service as an instructor at the Windsor-Essex Pony Club.

Holly Brush Fahringer as seen in 1995 with her horse Kal.

Photo courtesy of the Scott Holland Collection

As well, she assisted with its functions and judging local shows. On top of that, she was involved with the Essex County riding program for special needs children.

She added a second horse named Korus, a six year-old registered Canadian Trakenhner sired by an Arabian stallion.

Her confidence swelled as she believed that Korus would elevate her to the next level of competition — the Grand Prix. But that wasn’t her only dream. She also aspired to gain a spot on Canada’s National Equestrian Olympic team.

Highlights of Fahringer’s past victories include being named the Eastern Canada Arabian Horse Association Reserve Champion and High Point Dressage Champion.

In the Midwest Dressage Association of Michigan, she won seven awards, including Basic 2 Champion of Central Ontario. For the Southern Ontario Arabian Horse Association, she received four awards, including ones for purebred performance and open competition.

At that time, she was ranked as the fourth best overall rider in her class in Canada.