Carol Culp, first licensed exercise rider in New England, dies at 84

Carol Culp, the first licensed female exercise rider in New England, died Wednesday. She was 84.

Born in Peterborough, N.H., Culp began riding in the hunter-jumper realm, in which she rose high enough in the ranks to compete in the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. At age 10, she was given consideration to be the stunt double for actress Elizabeth Taylor in the film National Velvet.

Culp hailed from a family with strong Thoroughbred ties. Her father Norman was a breeder, huntsman for the Norfolk Hunt Club, and a frequent judge at the National Horse Show. The Norman Hall Stakes at Suffolk Downs was named in his honor.

Culp eventually made her way to the track, where she was licensed as an exercise rider in the early 1950s. She married trainer Harvey Culp, who went on to condition 1991 Tampa Bay Derby winner Speedy Cure.

She is survived by daughters Charlene Weber and Cathleen Martin, five grandchildren, and siblings Bill Hall, Dr. Pete Hall, John Hall, and Holly Hall. A celebration of Culp’s life will be held Saturday, July 28, at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Norfolk, Mass.