December 18, 1947 - June 14, 2021
Wendy Dunning was born on December 18, 1947 in Salina, Kansas, and passed away on June 14, 2021.
Wendy was raised in the Fort Collins, Colorado area and graduated from Colorado State University in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Dance.
Wendy, with sister Kathy, became involved with horses and got their first horse in 1959, and continued showing in American Quarter Horse Association events through college.
Wendy was a CSU riding instructor and Horseman judge that trained throughout Colorado and Wyoming. Wendy, with her reining mare Satin, preformed horsemanship clinics, as well as training throughout the area. Wendy also became Laramer County Fair and Rodeo Queen.
Wendy and Kathy were also involved with dancing; starting at three years old, and loved ballet, tap dancing, and square dancing, performing throughout Colorado and Wyoming.
Wendy married Gary Dunning on July 4th, 2000 by Pingree Park up the Poudre Canyon.
Wendy and Gary fell in love with the powerful yet gentle draft horses, and bought the first Shire mare, Duchess, from Willard and Ethel Stevens of Idaho.
They founded Rivendale Shires Draft Horse Farm, raising and breeding Register Shire horses and Shire sport horses. They joined and became life time members of the American Shire Horse Association, and also became long time members of the Colorado Draft Horse Association, concentrating on showing, educating, and driving horses. Performing hay rides, parades, benefits, wedding, and funerals became part of their program.
Wendy and Gary became involved with Larimer County Santa Cops program in 1997, helping to deliver gifts to those in need with horses and wagon. They did this almost every year the Saturday before Christmas, only missing a few years. In 2009, along with the Colorado Draft Horse Association, became involved with the Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center giving rides to the disabled, and staff and family, and guest. That was every Sunday before Christmas.
Santa Cops and Hearts & Horses events became very dear to Wendy.
Wendy is survived by her husband of forty one years, Gary, her sister Kathy Flinn, DL Weiser, Fritz Weiser, and Tracy Call.
Wendy’s Celebration of life will be held on July 4th, 2021, at Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center, at 163 No. County Road 29, Loveland, Colorado, 80537. The time will be between 10:00 AM till 2:00 PM. The actual service will start at 11:00. Car pooling is highly recommended.
So many people have asked what they can do, so we decided on a pot-luck lunch, so people can share in helping. Plates, plastic ware, and cups along with ice tea, water, and lemon aid will be provided.
There will be a room to set up for food with a kitchen, and places to sit, but not a lot of tables.
The actual service will be held in the indoor arena and lunch in the adjacent conference room. There will be a slideshow presentation through out the service.
Chaplain Bruce Rippe (a long and very dear friend) will perform the service for Wendy.
Instead of flower arrangements, please bring plantable flowers or seeds so that we can finish Wendy’s flower garden that she was unable to complete.
If you wish to make a monetary donation with Wendy’s name, please donate to Hearts & Horses. They do heal people with the power of the horse. Their email address is: [email protected].
Formal attire is not recommended and enclosed shoes would be best.
If you can, please join us to celebrate the Life of this beautiful and wonderful woman, Wendy.
