Photo via the National Park Service
Ritchard Temple, a valued and longstanding member of the eventing community, went missing while hiking on the C&O Canal’s towpath, and the National Park Service is looking for any information that may help locate him.
According to an NPS press release, Ritch began hiking the towpath from the Harper’s Ferry area and traveled west towards Cumberland, MD. It is believed he was heading back towards Harper’s Ferry when communications with him were lost.
He last communicated with his family on July 25, 2015. It is believed he was in the Town Creek area of the park at that time, approximately five miles east of Oldtown, MD, and may have camped at the park’s Town Creek hiker/biker campsite.
Ritch is a white male in his early 50’s, approximately 6’0″ tall and 200 pounds. He has blue eyes, blonde/gray hair and wears glasses. He uses a cane and walks with a limp. He also has limited use of his right arm.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of Ritchard Temple or had any communications with him while he was hiking the trail please call the National Park Service communication center at 301-714-2235.
Ritch has been a member of the eventing community for more than 30 years as a competitor, course designer, “R” Technical Delegate and event organizer. He was instrumental in the development of the venue at Chattahoochee Hills and was the director and course designer of the American Eventing Championships there in 2010 and 2011. He also designed the courses for the Maui Jim Horse Trials and the AEC at Lamplight Equestrian Center 2007-2009.
Our thoughts are with Ritch’s friends and family during this difficult time.
Photo via the National Park Service
