LIFE & TIMES Maryland Will Miss...


Wayne D. Swartz Submitted by Barbara Spence (T istlehill Farm) Wayne D. Swartz, 81, of White Hall, died on January 23. Born in Hanover, PA, where he at- tended a one room elementary school, he went on to be awarded a BA degree from Penn State University and a MSW from the University of Maryland. Over the course of his social work career, Wayne was the leader and architect of the Bayview Community Psychiatry program. Wayne was the husband of Michael Cenci, [and they] shared 60 years together. As a child, he rode whatever horses he could get his hands on. He became a lifelong skilled and caring horseman. He and Michael acquired a beauti- ful farm near the Pennsylvania line. T e farm was not an offi cial sanctuary, but unwanted horses often turned up there. Once there, they were safe, well cared for and, most importantly, loved. Wayne was especially fond of Arabians; love of Arabians began with two of those un- wanted horses. Dogs were a signifi cant part of his life too. Over the course of time, there were Dalmatians, Maltese, Poodles and Jack Russells. Wayne was a man of many talents, a fabulous cook, a skilled gardener and land- scaper. Wayne was not a professional big barn owner, or trainer, or high-level competitor but rather an ordinary, if not extraordinary, horse lover, like so many, who manage however they can to have a life fi lled with horses.


Shelly Fisher Viruete of


Fallston died on March 26. Viruete worked in advertis- ing sales for Sidelines Maga- zine but was best known for breeding


ponies and


being an active member of Maryland Pony Breeders. Viruete was introduced to horses through her aunt. Her fi rst Shetland Pony was named Tonka Toy and Viruete spent most of her childhood weekends at horse shows. More recently, Viruete bred many top Welsh po-


nies including 2022 Maryland Pony Breeders Yearling Futurity Grand Champion Covenant Freedom Song (Falling Moon Freedom x Cov- enant La Dolce Vita).


Julianne Sage Turrentine (July 2, 1950 – June 14, 2024) Submitted by Tammy Mattingly (Broken Spoke Stables)


I met Julie Turrentine when she came to my stable with her horse Charlie. I had no idea at the time that this woman would be- come far more than just a client as she soon became a cherished friend. People in our com- munity knew her for her many talents; she was an amazing artist and musician. She loved to cook, and her dogs were her children. I had the privilege of knowing Julie as a “cowgirl” and be- lieve me, she approached riding with an intense discipline that I’d never witnessed before. Julie was a perfectionist and after every riding les- son she diligently practiced all throughout the week to improve on her skills. Her horse Char- lie was a saint, he was the opposite of Julie and not overly talented and he had one direction that he traveled much better then the other. I remember one October when we had our fall freestyle competition and Julie choreographed a beautiful routine to Phantom of the Opera. I think I’m the only person who noticed that the entire routine was all the same direction, Charlie’s good way. Julie could make deci-


Shelly Fisher Viruete


sions without thinking things through and you didn’t dare argue with her even if you knew it was wrong. From the day I met her she was always in a battle with cancer and she fully in- tended to win and I al- ways believed if anyone


could beat cancer it would be Julie. We shared some great memories together in the saddles atop our horses. T ere was a group


of us that took two trips to Dunmore, WV, to enjoy riding along the Greenbrier River, Julie [just] about got us killed when she gave a cer- tain hand gesture and perhaps shouted a few choice words to a oncoming vehicle that was approaching us too fast. T e driver answered back by mashing his gas pedal, covering us with black smoke and scaring the heck out of our horses who just happened to be crossing a bridge. After the smoke settled Julie boldly an- nounced that she needed a glass of wine but the rest of us rode in silence contemplating our near death experience. Julie knew how to live life to the fullest. It


was hard watching the fi nal months of her life but she’s now free and the memories she has left are priceless. Happy trails my friend, until we meet again!


McKenzie Wilt of Oakland, MD, died un- expectedly on June 15 in Hebron, ND, where she was interning at a ranch. Wilt was 21. She graduated from Southern Garrett High School as a Distinguished Honor Roll student and National Honor Society inductee. Wilt was a member of Ryan’s Glade 4-H Club and played volleyball and basketball for Southern Garrett HS. She attended Fairmont State University and West Virginia University where she was studying Animal Science.


Comings & Goings


Grace Boston, McDonogh School riding program graduate and 2011 Equiery Hunter Perpetual Trophy Winner, is the newest assistant coach of Baylor Equestrian.


Retired Racehorse Project announced in July the appointment of two new board members: Patrick Cummings and Sarah Williams.


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