The Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation has elected two new trustees and re-elected three others.

The new members of the non-profit are Achsah O'Donovan and Mark Beecher.

Mark Beecher Irish import Mark Beecher comes from an equestrian family.

As a junior, Beecher won the European show jumping championship, twice, on family homebreds.

He rode point-to-points in Ireland and England before shifting his tack to America in 2010 to ride for Maryland-based George Mahoney’s Rosbrian Farm.

Over nine seasons as a rider, Mark Beecher won two Maryland Hunt Cups, three NSA amateur titles and every timber stakes on the U.S. circuit.

Beecher retired from riding after the 2019 season and turned his full focus to training. In 2025 Beecher sat fourth in the NSA trainer standings (races won) with 14 wins from 70 starts and earnings of $393,000. (Douglas Lees photo)

Achsah O'Donovan grew up in Maryland, foxhunting with the Green Spring Valley Hounds.

She became a teacher, social worker and artist living in Colorado.

Later in life she returned to Maryland.

No longer able to ride, O'Donovan became involved in the steeplechase world as an owner.

She has owned horses with trainers Alicia Murphy, Joseph Davies and Mark Beecher.

 

HER CURRRENT "big horse" is timber runner Bogey's Image, owned in partnership and trained by Joe Davies. Bogey's Image won the My Lady's Manor timber stakes in April 2025.

Achsah ODonovan Trustees George Cary and Van Cushny were re-elected to second terms, while Dixon Stroud was re-elected to a third term.

Cushny is a licensed NSA owner and has two horses with trainer Leslie Young.

He is an avid supporter of the TGSF’s initiative to assume administration of the Central Entry Office and to preserve the historical information that has been accumulated by Will O’Keefe over the last 40 years.

Cary was the field representative for The New York State Breeding & Development Fund, and for two decades served as an investigator for the New York State Racing & Wagering Board (later renamed the Gaming Commission).

In 2016 he came out of retirement (for five years) to take on the job of placing judge at Delaware Park.

Stroud is a steeplechase horseman who founded the Willowdale Steeplechase in 1993 and continues as its chairman.

A prominent rider over timber fences, he won the 1984 Maryland Hunt Cup aboard Bewley’s Hill.

Two-term TGSF trustee Diane Naylor stepped down from the board.

The board wishes to thank Naylor for all her years of contributions and work for the Foundation - she was an invaluable member of the team.

TGSF also elected a new executive committee to steer the Foundation for 2026.

Sean Clancy, a retired steeplechase jockey and long time owner and bloodstock agent, replaces steeplechase trainer Katherine Neilson as President, after Neilson served three years in the role.

Additional members include Vice President Dixon Stroud; Secretary George Cary; Treasurer Ann Jackson.

In 2026, the Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Foundation will focus on a wide range of initiatives aimed at strengthening the sport, supporting participants, and preserving its history.