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Celebration Of Life For Nancy McConnell Planned




A Celebration Of Life is planned for Nancy McConnell, who passed away Wednesday, November 22 at the age of 74. The gathering is scheduled for this Sunday, November 26 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the American Saddlebred Museum, Lexington, Kentucky.

McConnell grew up in New York, the daughter of Jack and Catherine Bridgman. She developed a love of all animals, especially horses. She and her siblings showed at the county fairs and local shows. When she was a teenager, Eddie K.K. Gutridge moved to a nearby training barn and her interests turned to American Saddlebreds and her eventual husband, Frank McConnell, who was working for Gutridge.

Eventually they were married and McConnell Stables was founded. The family operation was a longtime force in the business with champion horses, ponies and riders being developed by Frank, Nancy and Pat.
McConnell was a sought after judge and gave back to many other aspects of the sport, like working with Team USA and heading the DuPree family’s American Saddlebred Riding Lesson Foundation.

For the past several years McConnell has been a part of Misdee Wrigley Miller’s team at Hillcroft Farm, Paris, Kentucky.

A complete tribute will be published in an upcoming issue of Saddle Horse Report and more details regarding arrangements and a Celebration of Life will be posted, as they are made available.

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