Columbus, OH – Dr. Isabel H. “Tibby” Hunt DVM, of of South Wales, NY, died Feb. 11. She was 71.

Dr. Hunt was a lifelong horsewoman who dedicated herself not only to the art of riding but to the care and welfare of horses. She began as a child, riding with her mother fox-hunting with the Genesee Valley Hunt Club. Moving on from hunting to show jumping, she trained with Chuck Graham in Buffalo, before moving on to ride with several of the great horsemen of her time, including Geoff Teall and George Morris.

As a Grand Prix rider, her top horses were Mr. Sandman and Cy Porter, who any of her friends would recognize from her many stories. As a testament to her talent, during her career, Dr. Hunt claimed a Thoroughbred off the racetrack who had been ruled off the races for bad behavior. Never to be beaten by an unruly horse, she renamed him “Prowler,” and went on to compete with him at the Grand Prix level herself before Prowler took her friend, Mike Grinyer, to compete on the Canadian Equestrian Team at the international level.

She was a legend and icon in the WNY horse community as well as internationally, competing at the highest levels for years throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to her riding career, she further devoted herself to horses by becoming a veterinarian at the University of Prince Edward Island, which allowed her to heal countless animals throughout her career. She was especially skilled in the areas of homeopathy, acupuncture and chiropractic, and was sought after to keep top horses in shape at the highest levels of the sport.

It was through her WNY horse connections and veterinary practice that Dr. Hunt met her devoted husband Bob, with whom she shared a happy and busy life at their farm in South Wales, NY. Her farm allowed her to fulfill another role in life as an extraordinary teacher and mentor, leaving many with unforgettable lessons in horsemanship, riding, and in life.

She will be remembered always by her students and friends for her unmatched depth of knowledge, steady toughness, sense of humor, deep heart, and genuine compassion. In lieu of flowers, kind donations may be made to the Equine Rescue and Adoption Foundation.

She was the beloved wife of Dr. Robert Hallick; proud daughter of the late H. Reed and Isabel Rand Hunt. Predeceased by dear sister, Cynthia Hunt Smith. She is survived by her many devoted friends and students.