MARY ANN WADSWORTH RICH

MARY ANN WADSWORTH RICH – Mary Ann was an adventurer.  In 1929 and again in 1935 she traveled around the world by way of ocean liner with her mother.  She flew airplanes and in 1943 became only the seventh woman in the United States to have an instrument (blind flying) rating. She worked as a commercial pilot qualified to fly the U. S. Mail before turning her talents to breeding and exhibiting nine generations of splendid “Vilmar” champions between 1946 and the 1960’s.  Her first pointers were Ch. Tempo’s Ariosa and Ch. Beacon’s Ranger.  Her mentor was Charlie Palmer, the famous handler.  Her foundation bitch, Vilmar’s Patty drew heavily on Herewithem bloodstock through Benbrook (Homer Blackburn) and Cady (Charles Cady) and produced Hall Of Fame Ch. Vilmar’s Lucky in 1952.  Mary Ann once stated that “without Bob Maloney’s breeding program, none who have top winning dogs would ever have been able to breed anything that holds true.”  This independent woman was a force in the reactivation of the APC and became President for two terms (1955 & ’56).  She was the Gaines Dog Breeder of the Year for 1956, and was the breeder of America’s first solid orange pointer to become a champion (1954).