Catherine Carter Bass

1952 - 2024

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. Carter was born March 3, 1952 in Durham, NC, to Thomas E. Bass, III, a Naval officer, and Sophia Redwood Bass, a homemaker. She lived in numerous locations growing up, both in the US and abroad. Carter honed her sharp wit and keen sense of humor to more readily make friends at each new school she attended. Carter was a graduate of the University of Washington, earning a BS in Physical Education.

Carter's lifelong passion for horses evolved into a career when she began managing her parents' horse farm in Ruckersville, VA. For over thirty years, she bred, raised, trained, and showed warmblood Dressage Sporthorses, receiving 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 Grand Prix level, winning multiple Regional Championships and earning the US Dressage Federation Bronze, Silver and Gold medals on her homebred Oldenburg horse. She was also an in-hand competitor, winning many Championships, including Dressage at Devon, with both her own homebred horses and handling for other owners.

A dressage instructor for over 40 years, Carter's students were very successful, winning numerous Horse of the Year awards, 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.

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 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.