Patrick "Pat" Omar Dodson

Pat was born in Americus, Georgia to the late Omar and Kathleen Goss Dodson on July 28, 1943. He grew up in Raleigh/Durham and graduated from Northern High School in 1961. After graduation, Pat attended Hardbarger Business College in Durham.

After his time in business college, Pat was out fox hunting one day when he was able to stop a startled pony carrying a young lady. That young lady happened to be Karrie Finkel and her father, Harvey Finkel, was quite impressed and offered Pat a job on the spot. This chance encounter changed Pat's life. Pat then began working in Hillsborough for the Finkel family at Hunter's Isle. After Hunter's Isle, Pat worked for Quail Roost Farm as a horse trainer for about a year before moving to Winston Salem to lease a farm with his partner, Keith. Keith and Pat leased Cedar Hollow for about 2 years.

In 1980, Pat and Keith bought Clouds Harbor Farm in Clemmons, North Carolina. During the 43 years at Clouds Harbor, Pat helped to train many state, regional, and national pony and horse champions. Pat has had many juniors and amateurs qualify and go on to compete in Indoor Finals. Pat had many achievements throughout his career, a couple of those including serving as an USEF R judge all over the country and being inducted into the Carolina Hunter Hall of Fame in 2018.

Pat was renowned as an amazing coach, training responsibility and work ethic along with the skills needed for horsemanship. He expected his students to learn and do their best, but Pat was always trying to make it fun and encouraging. Pat was the first to make a joke or try to make light of a tense situation.

Pat leaves behind is loving husband, Keith Hastings;sister, Eleanor (Jack) Carpenter; mother-in-law, Blanche Hastings; sisters-in-law, Susan (Tim) White and Cathy (L.C.) Smith; nieces and nephews, David (Shana) Carpenter,Deborah (Maury) Cupitt, Kimberly (Roger) Nelson, Ashley (Chris) Wilson, Graham White, Sydney Hege, and Dylan Hege; great nephew and great nieces, Patrick Carpenter, Elizabeth Carpenter, and Ashton Edwards.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 9th at 4pm at Clouds Harbor Farm, 4390 Clouds Harbor Trail, Clemmons. There will be a celebration of Pat immediately following the service.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, July 29th at 5pm at the Blowing Rock Show Grounds (Broyhill Equestrian Preserve).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Equestrian Aid Foundation at https://www.equestrianaidfoundation.org/