SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.--Tiffany Teeter, 82, a consummate horsewoman, artist and beloved friend, died in a tragic automobile accident on Aug. 29.

Tiffany TeeterShe and her husband, Jim Rigney, who remains in hospital non-responsive as of Sept. 5, were in a car that collided with a truck pulling a trailer in her hometown of Southern Pines.

Tiffany had previously lived in Stockton, N.J., at Plum Broke Farm, and she was previously married to top rider and trainer Bernie Traurig, sharing a farm with him in Pennsylvania, when Bernie was riding top horses like Idle Dice.

During that time, she also became good friends with Neal Shapiro at the time he was riding Sloopy, a team silver and individual bronze medalist at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

"Once Tiffany befriended you, you became a friend for life," said Traurig, who said they became even better friends later in life after the divorce.

"She organized a clinic with me and Denny Emerson every year in Southern Pines," said Traurig. "She was a real horsewoman, a consummate horsewoman."

"She was very, very educated," said Traurig. "She and I were  one of the pioneers of importing horses. In the late 60s, we imported about 130 horses from England. She loved buying and selling horses."

"Tiffany loved animals," said Traurig. "We had nine dogs at one point, from little terriers to big dogs. We even had a pig that lived in the house."

 

HER GOOD FRIEND Allie Conrad wrote a beautiful tribute to Tiffany.

"I will so miss this woman and her stories. She was a force. Part of the old guard.

"She could tell you a story about cocaine-fueled party frenzies in Studio 54 followed by a story about the time she and Rodney Jenkins pranked the barn at Madison Square Garden.

"She was a wealth of horse knowledge and would share with anyone willing to listen.

"She was your biggest cheerleader if she liked you and felt respected by you.

"She was always down to deal 😂 and could sell ice to an Eskimo.

"She’d visit my farm and bring friends by to see my famous racehorses and call me all the time when any of their races were re-run on TV. She ALWAYS had racing on in the sitting room.

"She was an artist and a tireless volunteer- happily driving patrons all over the horse park for the CIC in an extended golf cart- scaring women and children as she dashed through the xc course.

"She had balls. No fear-of horse, human, demon, or children.

"One day she picked a bunch of us up after volunteering and we were all complaining about being hungry. We were told we didn’t get a lunch because we weren’t there all day and she said “BULLSHIT” and pressed that gas pedal to the max, walked in to the tent, got 6 of the packaged lunches and marched past the jerk who told us we couldn’t have lunches- just daring her to say something. 😂

"I loved that woman.

"She was an badass old horse woman. And I say that with love. The woman we all hope to turn into when we can no longer ride- generous with our knowledge, free flowing with the stories of epic adventures of our past, judgmental as a virgin in church. Saying the things that you used to keep as your inside voice.

"And she’s gone. Just like that.

"I’ll miss you Tiffany Teeter," said Conrad. "You were and are loved and respected."

While living in Stockton, Tiffany was a founding member of Kingwood Foxhounds/Amwell Valley Hounds and continued as an honorary Master of Foxhounds until her death.

She introduced many a fox hunter to hunting in Ireland and into her famous hilltopping field at Amwell Valley in her later years, earning her an Honorary MFH title.

Another friend, Amwell President Joanne Possumaro, said "She was a tremendous force for decades, providing horses and her gorgeous farm for clinics, concerts, hunter trials, and fabulous parties.

"She was a fundraising dynamo for her club, an artist, and was actively involved in various community organizations and charities.

"She was known for her warm smile, generous spirit, and ceaseless generosity."

There is a celebration of Tiffany's life now being planned.

Survivors include a daughter and son, Bridget and Mitch Bodine, and a son, Michael Traurig, that she had with with Bernie, who continues in his parents footsteps as a horse trainer and former steeplechase jockey.