Mary Grace Davidson and Rush

Team #81

As a trainer, competitor, and judge, Mary Grace Davidson brings with her a lifetime of experience with horses.  A native of California, Mary Grace graduated from the University of California at Davis back in the days when it was a true agricultural campus, majoring in general agriculture.  She had a successful career as a technical editor in the budding aerospace program, but always kept a busy side life of riding and training.  Eventually, she opted for working full time with horses, purchasing eight acres near the budding community of Walnut Creek in Northern California.  Now, over 40 years later, she and her husband, Clyde, still run their Lucky Acres as a small dressage training center amidst a neighborhood of upscale homes and boutique wine vineyards.

Mary Grace's dressage career started in the late 60s, nurtured by the opportunity to host many of the best clinicians, including Hilda Gurney (who taught monthly at Lucky Acres for 10 years), Melle van Breugen, Gerhard Politz, and Dennis Callen.  She has trained five horses to FEI levels, is a USDF bronze and silver medal holder, and is a long-time student of Willy Arts.  One of the most successful older riders in the early days of dressage, Mary Grace has won eight USDF Vintage Cup first awards on four horses, from Training Level through Grand Prix, as well as USDF Masters Certificates at all levels.

Mary Grace is a USEF "S" level dressage judge, with over 30 years of judging experience.  Still an active judge, she has officiated at major shows throughout the United States and Canada, including many USDF Regional Championships.  Her competitive career was capped on her 75th birthday, when she received a score of 62% at Intermediare I on her horse, Marquis.

Mary Grace planned to ride Marquis for her Century Club ride at Yarra Yarra Ranch in Pleasonton, CA, on March 13, 2011.  Marquis was three when Mary Grace fell in love with him, and they were a great team for the next 16 years.  Tragically, just one month before the Century Club ride, Marquis was fatally injured in a trailer accident.  Mary Grace's friend, Valerie Case,  offered a ride on her Argentine Thoroughbred, Rush, who was also 19.  Mary Grace said, "He was the right age and certainly looked the part, but had never been to a dressage show.  Not one to quit, I said, 'Let's do it!'"

Mary Grace continued, "More grooms that I could count, friends and family jamming the ring, little flashes from many cameras, several bouquets of flowers, and a horse that was overwhelmed with excitement.  All this and I still remembered to sit up straight, keep my shoulders back, and remember the test.  It was truly a day to remember."


Please take a moment to read two wonderful articles that were published about Mary Grace in her local newspaper, the Contra Costa Times.

"A horsewoman for the ages in Walnut Creek"

"A love of horses, a vigor for life"

Mary Grace and Marquis		Mary Grace and Rush, following their Century Club Ride, pictured with her husband, Clyde, and Judge Melissa Creswick.