NEWS

Gerald "Gerry" Russell Aschinger, 74, husband of Dana Aschinger, passed away at his home Friday, May 17, 2019, after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Aschinger was a businessman, entrepreneur and the consummate horseman. Together with his wife Dana, he developed War Horse Place Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, in 2004. After breeding the multimillion-dollar stakes winning horse, Prayer For Relief, Aschinger attained his trainers license and trained for eight years, producing Stakes winners Dramedy and Lots O' Lex.

"Gerry Aschinger’s greatest passion in life were horses. As a polo player he exemplified great sportsmanship on and off the field, and continued this ethic while he was in the racing industry," USPA CEO Bob Puetz said. "Gerry was a successful entrepreneur, and served on the USPA Global Licensing Board for 10 years sharing his business expertise. He will be missed by all who knew him," Puetz continued.

Aschinger was an avid polo player and member of the United States Polo Association (USPA) for 32 years. He and Dana played in Dayton, Ohio, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Sarasota, Florida, during his active playing years. He was elected as a Governor-at-Large within the USPA and was active in spearheading the Polo Plus Program. This program is still active today and enables members to receive discounts on many products used by the membership. In 2008, he was asked to be a board member of U.S. Polo Assn. Global Licensing (USPAGL), of which he was acting Chairman in 2018.

“Gerry was good-natured and a kind and thoughtful gentleman. He was a good friend and a great leader for USPAGL," said David Cummings on behalf of the USPAGL Board of Directors. You could always count on Gerry. He was a very successful business man, polo player, horse trainer and his actions were always well thought out and not tainted by self-interest or animosity. He will be deeply missed.”

Touching many in the polo community, Aschinger was respected and admired by his peers. "The polo and thoroughbred world have lost a great man, Gerry Aschinger," Dave Offen, president and co-founder of the Polo Players Support Group, said. "Gerry was the consummate gentleman on and off the polo field and was loved by everyone who knew him."

In respect to Gerry's wishes, no services will be planned. Charitable donations may be made in Gerry's honor to America's Vet Dogs, Polo Players Support Group, and Permanently Disabled Jockey's Fund.