Kathryn (Kats) James Clark of Middleburg, Virginia died peacefully Saturday, August 4th on her 85th birthday. Born in Dayton, Ohio to Lina and Lee James, she was their only child. The family moved to Long Island, New York where Kats attended the Greenvale School and then the Oldfields School in Glencoe, Maryland. She was an avid horsewoman and recognized for her many achievements in the show ring by being elected to the Virginia Horse Show Hall of Fame, the Upperville Wall of Fame and also by serving on the Board of the Washington International Horse Show.

Kats began riding at an early age and was a frequent exhibitor at the local shows on Long Island. Soon her talent was evident and she moved on to the circuit.

While married to Jack Leib, their Fox Lake Farm boasted such champions as Automation, MidFlight and Valiant Hawk. She had an eye for horses that would do well in the conformation division and has retired many trophies in such.

After marrying Stephen Clark in 1989, Kats had an unfortunate riding accident that left her partially disabled. Nothing could stop her spirit or love of horses and she still attended shows non-stop while watching Kenny Wheeler train her champions Call You Raise You and Celebrity.

A second accident left her a quadriplegic, but she still was a familiar sight at the shows in her wheelchair cheering on Joe Fargis who showed her open jumpers. Her will to live and her love of the horse show world were unparalleled.

Kats was predeceased by her husband Stephen C. Clark. She is survived by her son James Leib of Boston, Massachusetts and her stepdaughter Melissa (Missy) Veghte of Wilmington, Delaware. She was the beloved grandmother of Robert (Rox) Veghte of Wilmington, Delaware and her two great-grandsons, Jonathan and Andrew Veghte.

A memorial service celebrating her life will take place September 6th at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to the Middleburg Humane Foundation, PO Box 1238, Middleburg, VA 20118, or to The National Sporting Library and Museum, 102 The Plains Road, Middleburg, VA 20117.