horse if not for their support and encouragement. Curt
could be tough, but always with the absolute best intentions.
He was, without question, one of the most genuine and
caring people I have ever known. Somehow, I always felt
like family. Curt was the type of person who made you want
to be a better person. I will miss him greatly!
— Peri Tilghman, Sorrento, Florida.
C
urt Westley was one of my most cherished friends. I
am a better person for having known him, and the
world was a better place with him in it. He was a man of
utmost integrity; he always stood up for what he believed
in. He was a man of loyalty; once you earned his trust and
friendship, you also had his loyalty. He was a man of honor.
One always knew exactly where you stood with Curt, and
when he disagreed with you, you knew about it and why.
He was open-minded, always wanting to learn and eager to
debate. Curt also expected these same qualities from those
he allowed in his “circle.” For those he kept close, he was
generous beyond measure, always willing to lend an ear,
provide an opinion or ideas, or help those he cared about in
any way he could. He left this world much to soon. We will
not see his equal again.
Curt was relatively new to the world of horses and
Arabians, having only found himself a horse owner 21 years
ago. However, he quickly rose to the top, applying all those
special characteristics of his to develop a breeding program
that has produced champions and exceptional breeding stock
across the globe. Curt knew what he wanted in the horses
he bred and accepted nothing less. Type was of the utmost
importance; you should always know a horse is an Arabian
when looking at it, even from a distance, and you can
certainly see the type he brought into his program.
Athleticism was another key component. He strongly
believed in “doing” horses, and horses that would have a
career outside of halter. As a result, horses from his breeding
have won numerous titles, not just in halter but under
saddle as well. And equally, if not more importantly, a
great number of the geldings bred by Curt have proudly
carried their youth riders to wins and on the trails. They
are teaching the future of our breed how magical Arabians
are while building their confidence as riders and future
horsemen and women.
Even as a gifted breeder, Curt was always striving to
expand his knowledge of the breed and what he wanted
to see more of in his horses. He traveled the world visiting
farms and learning from the great breeders. He attended
shows as a student preparing for exams, watching each class
with an eagle’s eye. Sitting with him, discussing the entries,
doing our judging from the rail was one of my greatest joys
and memories of Curt. His commitment to breeding the
type of horse he liked and wanted to produce, often bucking
trends, is largely
responsible for
creating the
“Talaria Type.”
Talaria horses
are well known
the world over
for their extreme
type, athleticism,
intelligence,
and kind
temperaments.
His horses have
won numerous
National,
Scottsdale, Las
Vegas, Regional
and Egyptian Event championships, as well as in Europe and
the Middle East. Curt’s passing is a huge loss not only for
those of us who loved him, but for the Arabian horse. With
all his accomplishments in such a short time, just imagine
what he could have accomplished with more time ...
Thank you, Curt, for all that you taught me, for always
being you. You will continue to be our guiding light.
— Amy Austin, Johnson City, Tennessee
TF Teheran (Botswana x Temima)
with Amy Austin.
A
fter trying to process the news of suddenly and very
unexpectedly losing a dear friend and client, and feeling
so much heartbreak for his soulmate, wife, best friend and
business partner, also my dear friend and client, Allison
Mehta, I went back to a series of photos I took at this last
Egyptian Event of Curt and one of his horses. It made the
tears start flowing all over again, and then they made me
laugh out loud.
Curt always made me laugh. Even his emails could make
me laugh! I remember it took me awhile to “get” him and
his sense of humor when we first met over 17 years ago, but
to know Curt is to love Curt. You couldn’t help but love
him. Straight up Curt. You never had to guess what he was
thinking. Unlike his beautiful horses, Curt wasn’t one of my
easiest photography subjects. You know one of those you have
to totally catch on the fly ’cuz you can’t tell him what to do.
“
No horse left the property unless Curt
had heard from the person’s farrier, seen a
recommendation from the person’s vet, and
sometimes the feed store. He didn’t go as
far as the person’s preacher, but close!
”
AHW > 41 < 0 8.19
sharon
(sharon)
#1