Will Faudree and Andromaque at Kentucky 2015, the final event of her career. Photo by Kasey Mueller/Rare Air Photography.
The U.S. eventing community has lost another great horse this week in Will Faudree’s retired upper-level partner Andromaque, who was euthanized yesterday due to complications from colic. “Missie,” a 16-year-old Irish Thoroughbred mare (Anshan x Gortnagale, by Strong Gale) owned by Jennifer Mosing, represented the U.S. overseas for four seasons, capturing hearts around the world with her tenacity.
“It is from a broken heart that we say we had to say goodbye to Andromaque, our perfect Missie. After falling in her field and injuring her hip in early October, the toughest mare I’ve ever met couldn’t fight off the complications that followed and ended in colic. Everything she did in her life she did with all she had, a true soldier,” Will said.
“I was once asked if I had to compare her to a movie star who would it be, and without hesitation she was Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada) — incredibly stylish, all business and you never crossed her. She was an amazing horse to compete, and I will never forget the honor of leaving the start box with her. Her cross country rounds were all business, her dressage was matter of fact and her show jumping was all effort.”
Missie completed 15 events at the three-star level and and one event at the four-star level during her career with Will, which began after he took the ride from Irish rider Andrea Ryan in 2009. The mare had not had a clear cross country run at the FEI level at that point in her career, but she and Will quickly formed a partnership that made them a formidable cross country combination.
Their notable results include finishing 12th at Boekelo CCIO3* in 2010; 11th at Luhmühlen CIC3* and fifth at Hartpury CIC3* in 2011; 16th at Rolex CCI4*, second at Bromont CIC3* and 10th at Barbury Castle CIC3* in 2012; first at Jersey Fresh CIC3*, fifth at Saumur CCI3* and third at Richland CIC3* in 2013; and third at the Carolina International CIC3* in 2015.
Missie was short-listed for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and named to the USEF Eventing High Performance Training Lists on numerous occasions. Will and Jennifer decided to retire “Missie” at 14 years of age following Kentucky CCI4* in 2015, when she bowed the superficial flexor tendon in her right front leg on cross country.
“When her competitive career ended she embraced motherhood with the same focus and determination,” Will said. Missie’s legacy will live on through her foal by Sir Shutterfly born last year.
“Jennifer and I together cannot thank all the people who fought for Missie throughout her life. The fantastic vets and farrier, Tom Daniel, Meghann Lustgarten, Bri Gindlesperger and the entire team at NC State, Jay Mickle and many more that were always there for her; her wonderful caretakers, Nat Varcoe-Cocks, Christina Curiale and Suzanne Konefal for keeping her in top form; and my coaches, Bobby Costello, Phillip Dutton, Mark Phillips, David O’Connor, Sandy Phillips and John Zopatti,” Will said.
“Missie, thank you from the bottom of our broken hearts. Sweet dreams, princess. I will always love you.”
