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Steve Macfarlane Obituary

SHELBYVILLE - Steve Macfarlane, 59, Multiple World's Champion, is mourned after dying following surgery in Louisville Wed. morning, Jan. 11, 2006. Steve had spent his lifetime as a multi-faceted horseman, winning championship titles in American Saddlebred, Roadster, Pony and Coaching competitions. Steve had just returned to KY from his winter home in Ft. Meyers. He had been taking blood-thinning medication for a diagnostic procedure scheduled later this week, when he suffered a head injury resulting in edema that could not be controlled despite emergency surgery. Macfarlane's early career with Saddlebreds was guided by his stepfather, the legendary Bill Rowan. Steve's horsemanship will forever be remembered both in the saddle and in the bike. Under saddle he won with King of Siam, Amateur World's Champion Five Gaited in 1982, perhaps the first gentleman to win that title. Others owned and/or shown by Macfarlane were the Five Gaited gelding Ferrari, the gaited mare Peppermint Desire, and the 1982 Three Gaited Junior Horse World's Champion, Shadow Run. Perhaps his first great horse was the Roadster mare Tinkerbelle. His most famous roadster horse was 15 time World Champion Shining Brightly. His other roadster champions have included Rightly Surprised, dam of many of his other great horses including Geothermal, My Heart (World's Champion Roadster to Bike in 1989 and 1990), and Heart to Heart. Winning ponies exhibited by Steve and Marilyn's Walnut Way Farm include the Roadster pony Whiplash, and the Harness ponies Flamethrower and Top o' the Mark. Steve was equally successful in Coaching, competing and winning at North America's best Coaching competitions including Devon, the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, the Florida State Fair, and Walnut Hill in Florida. Survivors include Steve's wife Marilyn, of Shelbyville, his son, Stephen Jr., of Louisville, two grandchildren, and his sister, Joan, of La Jolla, CA. Services are planned for 1 pm Fri., Jan. 13, 2006 at Centenary United Methodist Church, 429 Main Street in Shelbyville, KY, with a reception for friends to follow at Walnut Way Farm in Shelbyville. Family will receive friends at the Shannon Funeral Home on Thurs., Jan. 12, 2006 from 6 - 8 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the American Heart Association Kentucky Region 240 Whittington Parkway Louisville, KY 40222 or the Hazelden Foundation. 15245 Pleasant Valley Road Center City, MN 55012-0011.

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Published by Lexington Herald-Leader on Jan. 12, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Steve Macfarlane

15 Entries

janna weir goldman

January 27, 2006

Marilyn,

I just returned from the stallion show, and Harry Witteven told me of Steve's passing. I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the loss of a one of a kind man.

I will never forget--when I was 17 yrs old and we had just purchased Warlock, Steve said if we got Warlock, he would build you an indoor ring...and that is exactly what he did! You and I, and the incompareable Warlock practiced many hours in the arena that Steve built. In 1983 I will never forget Steve, on the rail at the Finals in Madison Square Gardens. You might not know this, but Steve really ot after me to "step it up" and try harder in the two horse workout, and without his sincere coaching and advice, I am not sure we would have been victorious.

It is important to remember the good times, and hold on to your wondderful memories, especially in this time of loss.

Remember all the great times in the many years that you were blessed to share with Steve.

And please know that we are thinking of you, and wishing you the very best.

Love,

Janna Weir Goldman

Gwyn (Boyd) Hoskins

January 20, 2006

Marilyn,

We were so saddened to hear about Steve. We have such wonderful memories of our years at Walnut Way with you and Steve. You're in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Gwyn (Boyd) Hoskins and Leah (Boyd) Settle

Steve DePenna

January 15, 2006

Dear Marilyn,

We were all very saddened to hear of Steve's passing. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Steve will be missed greatly by all who had the pleasure of meeting him.

The DePenna Family

Cara Kania

January 14, 2006

Our deepest sympathy to family. May The Lord bless you to heal your hurting and cherish all the great times you have with Steve. Love, Cara, Robbie, and Jon keeney, children of Bob and the late Barbara Ann Keeney.

Gwynneth Rausch

January 13, 2006

Dear Marilyn: It has always been such a great pleasure spending time with you both at the Horse shows - competing against you at some, and working with you at others. We always smile when we think of Steve. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

Gwynneth and Roger Rausch, St. Louis, Mo; Jennifer Cunningham, Toronto, Ontario; Steve De Penna, Devon, Pa.

Freddie Jenkins

January 13, 2006

My condolences and deep sympathies to all of Steve's family - wife, son, grandsons, and sister. I knew Steve many years ago, in California. He was a significant person in my life, and it is evident that throughout the years he remained so in the lives of so many others. My prayers are with you all at this sorrowful time.

Freddie Jenkins, Manchester, OH

Tony & Betty Lilford

January 12, 2006

Dear Marilyn, Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and the family and all at the horse barn. Tony and Betty Lilford from Texas.

JOYCE HANNA

January 12, 2006

DEAR MARYLIN.
WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR THE NEWS OF STEVE'S DEATH. PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND WE ARE PRAYING THAT THE LORD WILL BLESS AND COMFORT YOU IN THE COMING DAYS. SINCERLY, PATTY WYGAL
AND JOYCE HANNA FRIENDS FROM WV

Janet Graff-Oliver

January 12, 2006

Marilyn,

Carlye and the entire family send our heartfelt sympathy. Steve got to be a special person to her at camp in the short time that she has been riding with you at Walnut Way . You are in our thoughts and prayers.

"JR" Blumenthal

January 12, 2006

Marilyn, I will long remember the great time we had at Walnut Hill New York because of you and Steve. I thank you and him for making making my life richer having known the both of you. Steve will be missed by the driving world and me personnally. My sincere condoeance for your loss.

Carol and Tom Beard

January 12, 2006

Marilyn, we are so saddened to hear this terrible news about Steve. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Carol Witteveen-Belair

January 12, 2006

Our hearts go out to Marilyn and family, we are all shocked at this great loss of a wonderful man. He had a wonderful way about life and was a great coachman. Our deepest sympaty,

The Witteveen Family.

Barbara Messina

January 12, 2006

Marilyn, you are in our prayers and we love you. Steve will be terribly missed by all who knew him. We are so sorry for your loss.

Barbara Messina and Sam Irwin

Linda Leonard

January 12, 2006

I knew Steve since we were teens showing horses in CA, and will miss him until I see him again.

Joyce O'Harra

January 12, 2006

Marilyn, My heart goes out to you. I would have been there with Bob, but I was here in Ohio and not in WV.

Wishing you all the best

Joyce Oharra

(Bob Keeney's Friend)

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