NEWS
05/13/13
AMERICAN SADDLEBRED WORLD LOSES LANDEN ECKARD
Landen Pinkney Eckard, son of the late Lewis Pinkney and Pearl Bollinger Eckard, born January 28, 1925, died Wednesday, April 17, at his Drowning Creek Farm in Hildebran, North Carolina.
Mr. Eckard served in the Navy during World War II and returned to Hickory and married Pauline Reid of Granite Falls. He retired from a career in sales with Maple Springs Laundry and land development but is best known for his support of the American Saddlebred Horse and Hackney Pony industry. After purchasing Drowning Creek Farm in 1956, he and his children, Lana Eckard Ray, Lewis Pinkney Eckard, II and Sheila Eckard Lail developed the farm into the largest American Saddlebred Horse farm in western North Carolina and one of the most prominent show barns in the United States with over 40 World’s Championships. In 2002, he and wife, Pauline, were inducted into the North Carolina Horseman's Hall of Fame in Raleigh.
Mr. Eckard is survived by his wife of 68 years, three children and four grandchildren, Gina Lail, Heather Lail, George Ray and Charles Ray.
A celebration of life was held on Saturday, April 20 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church with Pastor Richard Fritz officiating. Burial followed in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 629 8th Street NE, Hickory, North Carolina 28601 or American Diabetes Association, 222 South Church Street, Suite 336M, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.
Mr. Eckard served in the Navy during World War II and returned to Hickory and married Pauline Reid of Granite Falls. He retired from a career in sales with Maple Springs Laundry and land development but is best known for his support of the American Saddlebred Horse and Hackney Pony industry. After purchasing Drowning Creek Farm in 1956, he and his children, Lana Eckard Ray, Lewis Pinkney Eckard, II and Sheila Eckard Lail developed the farm into the largest American Saddlebred Horse farm in western North Carolina and one of the most prominent show barns in the United States with over 40 World’s Championships. In 2002, he and wife, Pauline, were inducted into the North Carolina Horseman's Hall of Fame in Raleigh.
Mr. Eckard is survived by his wife of 68 years, three children and four grandchildren, Gina Lail, Heather Lail, George Ray and Charles Ray.
A celebration of life was held on Saturday, April 20 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church with Pastor Richard Fritz officiating. Burial followed in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 629 8th Street NE, Hickory, North Carolina 28601 or American Diabetes Association, 222 South Church Street, Suite 336M, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.
