Brett Fredricks of Shelby, North Carolina was a true American hero whose passion, in addition to serving his country, was showing halter horses and running his beautiful farm. Unfortunately on December 25, 2014, the retired member of the Army’s Delta Force was killed during combat while in Somalia. He was 55 years old.
“Christmas Day, a loving husband, a brave countryman and a dear friend of ours lost his life doing what he loved most,” says Ryan Elizabeth Martin, a close family friend who also manages Brett’s farm with her fiance, Scott Threatt. “Brett’s passions in life were his horses and fighting for his country. He dedicated his entire life to loving and protecting his country and teaching others to do the same. The barn, the shows, this country won’t be the same without him. Please say a prayer for his loving wife, Terri. We are better people to have known you, and a day won’t go by that we aren’t riding in your memory!”
An APHA lifetime member, Fredricks loved showing halter horses on the APHA and PtHA show circuit. Due to spending three months at a time overseas, he was unable to show at the APHA World Show but received multiple PtHA World and Reserve World titles in various halter classes and enjoyed every aspect of the show life.
Brett’s memorial service will be held February 7th at noon, at his farm in Shelby, NC. He is survived by his loving wife, Terri Fredricks, who plans to continue his dream of breeding and showing horses at their farm in Shelby. “During the service, family and friends will scatter his ashes over the farm property where he will forever be a part of the things he cared most about, his country, his wife, his horses and his farm,” Martin says.
