Terry and I met in high school, and our shared passion for horse racing quickly became the foundation of our relationship. Many of our early dates took us to the racetrack, whether Philadelphia Park, Garden State, or Liberty Bell.
After Terry graduated from West Point, we got married and moved to Schweinfurt, Germany. While there, we traveled extensively, visiting France, Switzerland, Austria, Berlin, and England. It was amazing to see our daughter, Erin, speaking German at such a young age, especially while Terry and I were still learning the language.
Despite the incredible experiences, we missed horse racing, so we agreed that once we returned to the United States, we would buy a racehorse. That’s exactly what we did—our first horse was Sun Belt, trained by David Stubley at Philadelphia Park.
When Sun Belt made his first start under our ownership in a $5,000 claiming race, Terry was traveling. I went to the track with our three-year-old daughter while expecting our second child to give Terry a play-by-play over the phone. We were thrilled when Sun Belt won in our colors in his very first start.
As our ownership journey continued, we quickly realized that winning wasn’t always guaranteed! We decided to partner with some friends to share the ownership experience. Initially, we had no intention of starting a formal partnership—Terry had just left the military and was starting his career in the insurance business. However, interest in our venture continued to grow, and before long, more people wanted to join us.
With encouragement from several associates, we decided to give the partnership concept a serious try in 1991.
About me:
Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy reading, watching movies, cooking, gardening, and horse racing. I’m a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Florida Panthers and love attending concerts and shows. March Madness is always exciting. My favorite day for handicapping the races is Breeders’ Cup Day, and the race I would love to win is the Kentucky Oaks. My favorite West Point horses are Flightline and Dream Rush.
Greatest Accomplishments: Raising two incredible kids: Erin, a graduate of the University of Kentucky, who works with WPT and is an avid dressage rider, and Ryan, who graduated from the University of Notre Dame and the Wharton School of Business, played professional soccer, and now works in Dallas, TX.
I also have five grandchildren with whom I love spending time, cooking, and traveling together. I want them to see so much of the world.
The most enjoyable part of owning WPT is the people, the horses, and the incredible team we have built.
Someone I admire: Congie DeVito, West Point’s first communications director, who never let his personal challenges stop him from achieving his dreams. He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him, overcoming the difficulties of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, and living life to its fullest. The Congie Black and Gold Horse Retirement Fund is named after Congie. He passed away at 35, but his impact and friendship remain with me every day.
