The equestrian world mourned the loss of talented para-equestrian competitor and ambassador to the sport yesterday with the passing of Jonathan Wentz.
Jonathan had recently returned home from London where he was a member of the US Paralymic Team. Jonathan finished fourth overall aboard Kai Handt’s NTEC Richter Scale and helped guide the US Team to their seventh place overall. Jonathan was the highest placing American equestrian for the Paralymics but likewise the highest placing overall for Olympic and Para combined!
Jonathan was no stranger to international competitions having competed at World Championships, Paralymic Games, National Championships, and World Equestrian Games. Not only a talent in the saddle, Jonathan was tirelessly dedicated to the sport having served on the Youth Council with USEF representing para-equestrians as well as on their Technical Committee.
Jonathan was studying at SMU in Texas who’s mascot was, of course, a horse!
Please take a moment to reflect on the life of this talented and ambitious and tireless young man who helped bring about such keen awareness of para-sports helping to popularize them stateside. I was fortunate enough, thanks to Evin R, to have Jonathan on HorseGirlTV.
I send my condolences to his family, trainer, team mates, NTEC Richter Scale and the many more people who’s lives he’s touched. I was looking at his website earlier today and it clearly states ‘One boy. One horse. One dream.’ It’s with that I’m so thankful for him that he was able to live his dream and represent his country before passing on. May you rest in peace Jonathan.
Remember Jonathan Wentz, 1990-2012.
