Catherine Carter Bass – March 3, 1952 – May 9, 2024
Catherine Carter Bass, age 72, passed away of natural causes on May 9, 2024, at her home in Ruckersville, VA. She was born March 3, 1952, in North Carolina. Carter was born March 3, 1952, in Durham, NC, to Thomas E. Bass, III, a Naval officer, and Sophia Redwood Bass, a homemaker. Carter’s childhood included many moves with the Navy, including living in Newport, Rhode Island, France, Hawaii, Virginia, and Washington. Carter said she developed her sense of humor to make making friends quickly in new schools easier. Carter was a graduate of the University of Washington, earning a BS in Physical Education.

Carter was passionate about horses from an early age. She developed a keen interest in dressage and became a long-time student of Hilda Gurney. Carter’s lifelong passion for horses evolved into a career when she began managing her parents’ horse farm in Ruckersville, VA. She bred, raised, trained, and showed warmblood Dressage Sporthorses for over thirty years. She received numerous premium awards for homebred foals presented to the German Oldenburg Verband and the Swedish Warmblood Association of North America. Her knowledge of Hanoverian and Oldenburg bloodlines was an important resource for many breeders.

An accomplished horsewoman, Carter competed through the Grand Prix level, winning multiple Regional Championships and earning the US Dressage Federation Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals on her homebred Oldenburg horse Gossamer, a horse she bred, raised, and trained. She was also an in-hand competitor, winning many Championships, including Dressage at Devon, with her own homebred horses and handling for other owners.

As a dressage instructor for over 40 years, Carter’s students were very successful, winning numerous Horse of the Year awards and regional championships and competing through Grand Prix. Carter was a licensed official with USEF since 1989, earning a reputation as a fair and encouraging judge. At the time of her death, she held both the “S” and “R” Dressage Sporthorse Breeding licenses and was still judging shows throughout the nation. She had an incredible eye for both young horses and horses under saddle. Two horses she bought as yearlings would become champions at the Devon breed show. Those horses were Wendemere and Winsome.

Carter’s many friends from all over the world appreciated her for her sharp wit, gift for hilarious story-telling, and incredible talent for mimicry. Her bright light will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was passionate about all animals and rescued many dogs and cats over the years. She left behind her beloved dog, Birdie, and two cats, Pearl and Hazel.

Carter was preceded in death by her father, Rear Admiral Thomas Edward Bass, III, her mother, Sophia Redwood Bass, and a brother, Thomas E. Bass, IV (Kathie). She is survived by a brother, Dr. Robert R. Bass (Chris); three nieces, Cynthia B. Smith (Mark), Lee Bass Metrey, DVM (Dan), and Sarah C. Bass (Andres Blanco); one nephew, Thomas E. Bass, V (Kim); and eight great-nieces and great-nephews; as well as many cherished friends and students in the Dressage world.

A memorial service and burial will be held on Monday, July 8, at 11:00 a.m. at Buck Mountain Episcopal Church, 4133 Earlysville Road, Earlysville, Virginia.

In remembrance of Carter, charitable donations can be made to the US Dressage Foundation in Carter’s memory at the following link: https://www.dressagefoundation.org/ways-to-give/book-of-memory/in-special-memory-of-dressage-enthusiasts/carter-bass.html

The Dressage Foundation – Creating a Lasting Legacy

Carter Bass was respected, admired, loved and a joy to all who knew her. Her contribution to the US Dressage World and to understanding, educating and promoting American Bred horses made her one of America’s most knowledgable and supportive advocates.

What better way to leave a lasting legacy in her honor, than to donate to The Dressage Foundation in her memory.

The Dressage Foundation (501c) has created an avenue for those who want to remember and honor her. To make a donation to The Dressage Foundation in memory of Carter, please click the button below and note “To make a donation to The Dressage Foundation in memory of Carter, please click the button below and note “In Memory of Carter Bass” in the Special Designation box on the donation page. Donations will be used to support the education of dressage judges across the United States, ensuring that Carter’s legacy lives on through the sport she loved.

The Dressage Foundation in it’s 35th year, created by USDF’s first President, Lowell Boomer, is a testament to the passion and support of the US Dressage Community in creating a funding source for multiple programs. The friends of Carter Bass would like to create a fund in her name and in her honor. Every contribution with the note “In Memory of Carter Bass” will be calculated towards the $50,000 goal to honor her with a fund in her name and create a lasting legacy.