Frankie Thieriot: Honoring Candace Rice Durr as the Ultimate Super Mom

Candace Rice Durr is a much-loved super mom in Area VI who is now bravely fighting a battle against breast cancer. We originally published Frankie Thieriot’s touching post in her honor on July 16, and we’re bumping it up again today in support of the Halt Cancer at X program at Rebecca Farm. Go Candace!

An appropriate photo from this week — John Michael Durr and mom Candace Rice at NAJYRC in 2004.

An appropriate photo for this week — John Michael Durr and mom Candace Rice at NAJYRC in 2004.

From Frankie:

Selfless, hardworking, dedicated, passionate, kind, loving, considerate, but most of all, SUPER MOM. These words all describe an incredible woman who has made a tremendous impact on countless lives across the country, and especially within Area VI.

Despite never riding herself, Candace Rice Durr has contributed to countless aspects of the sport of eventing. It all began when her son, John Michael, then a young boy in purple chaps and a red hat, started taking riding lessons at the Oakridge Stables European pony school and caught the bug, so to speak. It was also around this time — when I could not have been older than a third-grader myself — that I remember meeting the Durr family and Candace.

Throughout the years, Candace and her husband John were always coming and going to the barn, shuttling their son John Michael Durr, who is now an Advanced level competitor and coach, back and forth to our stables. I remember them always being warm and kind to all of us other barn kids and the way Candace was always thoughtful and lending a hand at the barn, all while juggling her job as an accountant services manager.

When I went to Young Riders in 2000, I remember getting back to the barn after a successful, yet very long trip home from Chicago to find a huge sign and basket from none other than Candace congratulating me, and to this day remember how special it made me feel.

Fast forward to today, and Candace Rice Durr has worn more hats than I can count. Despite her initial lack of eventing knowledge back in the days of that purple-chapped, red hat-wearing boy, Candace has since proven to be a highly skilled show mom! At any given horse show, you can find her tapping in scores as part of the well-known Scoring Chix, then quickly dashing back and forth to videotape all of John Michael’s rides, then back to scoring, or to comfort or console a competitor on a ride that didn’t go how they hoped.

Candace amazes everyone who knows her on yet another level — with her dedication toward bettering the lives of others, even after being diagnosed with breast cancer and the subsequent treatments she has undergone battling the disease. She has never stopped smiling, cheering everyone on, and, yes, even fulfilling her duties as Area VI treasurer. Time and time again, Candace has demonstrated all the qualities of a SUPER MOM. The truth of it is that Candace is more than just a mom to her children; she has been a mother figure and friend to countless people in addition to taking the word “volunteer” to new heights.

In true Candace form, she is upbeat, courageous and continues to show her zest for life in her breast cancer journey. Support Candace and the Halt Cancer at X program by clicking here to donate to the cause and send Candace a note on her Facebook page. We love you, Candace, and are fortunate to have you as a friend and part of our riding community.  “Thank you” does not seem like a word great enough for all you have done for us.

[Halter Cancer at X]

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