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John Shea Dies



Sad news started off the New Year as Hall of Fame pony trainer John Shea died this morning (Jan. 2). The Covington, La., native had been in poor health recently and according to family members his passing was a blessing.

         

Shea was an icon on the national show circuit having moved to Covington from Texas in the late ‘60s. Married to his wife Lorraine for more than 40 years, he was noted for developing and showing some of the greatest Shetland and Hackney ponies including Bill-Mar’s Playboy, Cassilis Sovereign and the silver tailed superstar World’s Grand Champion Cherry’s Dream Boy, among many others.

         

Services for Shea will be held Friday, January 4 at St. Peter’s Church in Covington, Louisiana. In addition to his wife Lorraine, Shea is survived by daughters Vickie Adams and Lorye Shea.


The family is requesting that memorials be made to the American Diabetes Association.
         

More information will be provided as it is made available.


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