Obituary - Gail Hooker
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
CH Forever Aptor was one of Gail’s favorites. They are pictured here winning the Five-Gaited Pleasure Stake at Del Mar Charity Fair in 2006 after having also won the qualifier.
Gail Hooker, aged 72, died peacefully on June 14, 2016 in her Leucadia, Calif., home. She was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 25, 1944 to Harriett and Fred Eggers. She loved horses, the mountains, skiing and running. She had a phenomenal artistic eye. Known for her tenacity, independence and her thoughtful, mischievous nature, Gail was a much-loved wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many.
Gail graduated from Chaffey High School in 1962. She attended Chaffey College and married Gary Hooker in January of 1964. She studied fine art, languages and interior design at Palomar College in San Diego over the years. She ran a half a dozen marathons, with a personal best of three hours and 15 minutes at the Boston Marathon in 1984. Gail and Gary also owned a home in Mammoth, where they lived part time and skied as much as they could.
Gail owned her first Saddlebred in 1991. Over the next 25 years she owned over 20 horses. She bred five, and this brought her the most joy. She went to many of the California Saddlebred shows and supported them even if she couldn’t be there. She was a generous and hard-working member of the Charity Fair Horse Show Board for 10 years. She won multiple blue and tri-colored ribbons with her favorite amateur gaited horse, World’s Champion Undulata’s Prophet, (aka Johnny). She also showed World’s Champion CH Forever Aptor (JD) in five-gaited pleasure. She bred and showed Rapid Reward, (Ray) and her beloved harness horse, Heir About Him (JR).
Gail is survived by husband of 52 years, Gary Hooker, son Craig Hooker, daughters Ami Hooker and Megan Foxley and granddaughters Ila and Jo Peeler.
Services were held Monday, June 27th 11 am at Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1001 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas, CA 92024. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Helen Woodward Animal Shelter’s Therapeutic Riding Program https://my.animalcenter.org/checkout/donation?eid=76998.
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