SR 141 — Celebrating the life of James C. Wofford.

SESSION INTRODUCEDENROLLED 23106333D I SENATE RESOLUTION NO.

141 NE OfferedN February 16, 2023 Celebrating the life of James C.

Wofford.––––––––––Wofford. T Patron––Vogel R –––––––––– WHEREAS, James C.

Wofford,Agreed ato respectedby leader in equestrian sports who represented the UnitedSenate, StatesFebruary in21, Olympic2023 GamesR andO otherWHEREAS, internationalJames competitionsC. and inspired generations of athletDs as a coach and mentor, died on February 2, 2023;

andWofford, WHEREAS,a Jamesrespected "Jimmy"leader Woffordin wasequestrian bornsports inwho Kansasrepresented tothe aUnited familyL ofcoach equestrianand athletes;mentor, died on February 2, 2023;

hisand Ucompetitions hisand brothersinspired bothgenerations competedof athletes as a WHEREAS, James "Jimmy" Wofford was born in internationalKansas horsebackto ridinga events;family of equestrian athletes;

andstrianhis TeamL (USET),father, andCJohn WHEREAS,W. Jimmy Wofford graduated from Culver Military Academy and the School of Business at E the University of Colorado, and at the age of 19, he traveled to Hamilton Farm in New Jersey to train with the USET;

Wofford, was a founding member of the United States Equestrian Team (USET), and DE WHEREAS,hisWHEREAS, Jimmy Wofford firstgraduated competedfrom Culver Military Academy and the School of Business at D the University of Colorado, and at the age of 19, he traveled to Hamilton Farm in New Jersey to train with the U.S.USET;

Eventing Team in 1965 and becameWHEREAS, aJimmy memberWofford offirst thecompeted USET'swith three-day event squad for the nextU.S. two decades;

aboardEventing hisTeam famedin Irish1965 Sportand became a Horse, Kilkenny, he earned a team gold medal at the 1967 Pan American Games, team silver medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics and the 1972 Summer Olympics, and individual and team bronze medals at the World Eventing Championships in 1970 and 1978, respectively;

andl and teamS bronze medals at WHEREAS, during the height of his career, Jimmy Wofford was also an avid foxhunter and steeplechase1 jockey;steWHEREAS, Jimmy Wofford began coaching in 1978 and became a full-time coach after his official E retirement in 1986;

andhe WHEREAS,helped Jimmydozens Woffordof beganequestrian coachingathletes inrealize 1978their anddream becameto acompete full-timeon coachthe afterR hisinternational officiaSstage; retirement in 1986;

heand helpedWHEREAS, dozensfrom of1978 equestrianuntil athletesthe realizetime theirof dreamhis topassing, competeat onleast t1eone internationalrider stage;on every U.S.

and 1 WHEREAS, from 1978 until the time of his passing, at least one rider on every U.S.

and WHEREAS, Jimmy Wofford was a sought-after speaker, clinician, and coach and authored multiple books and articles on horsemanship;

he earned many accolades over the course of his career, including induction into the United States Eventing Association's Hall of Fame in 2003 and the USEF Lifetime :Achievement Award in 2012;

35 AchWHEREAS, Jimmy Wofford will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, 36 Gail;

and numerous other family members and / 37 friends;

now, therefore, be it / 38 RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of James C.

39 Wofford, a skilled horseman who reshaped equestrian sports in the United States;

and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of James C.