Obituary - Dal Hope
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Prominent west coast trainer Dal Hope passed away this past fall due to a massive stroke. He was 74.
Hope was a prominent trainer in the 1960s and ‘70s for Maple Valley Stables owned by Mrs. D.G. Eggerman. Located just outside of Seattle, the facility house Mrs. Eggerman’s champion Saddlebreds in addition to those owned by other clients, including Mary McClellan Williams and both her daughters, Grace and Lauren Arnold, Ken and Aggie Maxson, Jacquelyn LeBeck, Bob and Jeannie Mossman Crosby and Virginia Pendleton, and Glenn and Darleen Miller and their daughters Sandra and Molly for whom he took horses to three World’s Championships and other top ribbons at Louisville.
Primarily showing at the major west coast shows, his record of stake wins were numerous with horses like Blythe Fairy, Mr. Executive, Glee Ring, Mr. Poppin, Why Worry Coralita, Knight Shade, Sea Secret, Northern Tradition, Spirit Time, Tippin In, Mark Of Merit, Vanit’s Bell, Northern Event and Burning Tree’s Brandywine. Hope was a recognized AHSA judge, officiating at many of the major shows nationwide. He was also a member of the UPHA and the ASHA.
After an early retirement, Hope trained hunting field dogs, winning national championships. He became an accomplished saddle and harness maker and collected and restored antique horse drawn vehicles. His love to see the high country caused him to raise Tennessee Walking Horse Mules and rode the upper Cascade Range with his wife and friends. He took a wagon and his team of Suffolk Paints – or driving mules on many wagon trains. Hope and his wife of 55 years, Patricia, also traveled with their dogs in their motor home.
In addition to Patricia, his brothers and sisters survive Hope.
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