The American Trakehner Association (ATA) lost one of its most important charter members, Dr. David Goodman, 76, of West Chester, PA., who passed away unexpectedly on August 19, 2007. A well-known Delaware orthodontist in private practice from 1961 until his death, he spent almost all of the rest of his time raising children and horses on a spectacularly beautiful homestead southwest of Philadelphia.

Dr. Goodman and his wife, Pat, joined with a small group of early Trakehner breeders in North America as part of the ATA in 1975. For about 20 years, their Wonderland Farms was synonymous with breeding top-quality Trakehner sport horses and with the exceptional small boarding school where they taught young people from all parts of the world about breeding, keeping, and training Warmblood horses. Many of the most successful lines of Trakehner horses derive from the bloodlines they imported or created, including Zauberklang, Cäsar, Insterfürst and Donauschimmer.

Just as importantly, Dr. Goodman worked tirelessly to build up and promote the ATA and the Trakehner breed. He served on the Board of Trustees for several terms in different offices, created and operated the Branding Committee for twenty years and also served on the Registration Committee for many years. In 1989, he was awarded the Karl-Heinz Barton Memorial trophy for his outstanding service to the ATA.

Although the Goodmans more or less retired from the horse business about 10 years ago, they remained devoted fans and vigorous supporters. Dr. Goodman had a life well-lived, and the gratitude of the ATA for his selfless service to the Trakehner horse.