Dedicated horseman Arthur “Thom” Brede was a driving force in the horse world right up until his passing on April 20. He and his late wife, Ann “Wissie” Brede, moved their Thoroughbred breeding operation from Pennsylvania to Stamping Ground, Ky., in 2000. The Brede family owned Audley End and Taterland Farms.
Brede was a devoted judge for US Equestrian who judged hunters at major horse shows across the United States and Canada for more than 50 years. He earned his Hunter/Jumping Seat Equitation Large ‘R’ license in 1965, his Hunter Large ‘R’ license in 1966, and his Hunter Breeding Large ‘R’ license in 1985. In addition, he chaired the Licensed Officials Committee from 1998 to 2012, and 12 of those years were co-chaired with 2013 US Equestrian Lifetime Achievement Award-winner Keith Bartz.
“He was very responsible as the co-chair in terms of pulling his share of the load and was interested in doing right by all disciplines’ needs - an attribute of importance in this job,” said Bartz. “His smile and readiness to step up and get things done were my favorite things about him.”
Brede was also a member of the USHJA Hunter Breeding Task Force from 2002 to 2012. At the 2010 Capital Horse Show Challenge, he was awarded the Daniel P. Lenehan Perpetual Trophy for the person who exemplifies dedication and a lifetime commitment to judging show hunters. Other professional accomplishments include being inducted into the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame and having received the Pennsylvania Horse Shows Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Thom was a knowledgeable horseman who was dedicated to spending his time and energy to ensuring that US Equestrian had a strong Licensed Officials education and licensing program,” said US Equestrian CEO Bill Moroney. “His leadership set an example for others in governance to follow. He was steady and consistent and was more concerned with doing what was right than what was popular.”
In recent years, Brede was well-known in his community for his charitable work with his family's foundation, The Taterland Foundation. In 2014, he made local news when his family collected 133 winter coats for Stamping Ground Elementary School to distribute to children and adults in need. That same year, the Bredes and The Taterland Foundation hosted a group of 19 children at Audley End Farm to give them new winter coats, hats, and gloves, as well a gift card for a turkey so they could have a Christmas dinner.
“The three words I would use to describe Thom are caring, positive, and forward-thinking,” Bartz added. “His legacy should inspire others to do volunteer work when needed to benefit our entire equestrian community.”
Brede is predeceased by his wife, Ann "Wissie," and leaves one daughter, Jessica, and her husband, Larry Eisenberg. He had two grandchildren, Thomas Carolin and Kathryn Fidler, and one sister, Marlene Hylbert.