Beverly Jean Chester

Beverly Jean Coons was born April 4, 1934 on 87th and Metcalf, Overland Park, Kansas. After Beverly and her mother moved away she would ride the train to Kansas City to spend the summers with the Mackey’s and thus began her lifelong love of horses.

She met and married Ted Chester in Carlsbad, New Mexico in 1955, they moved to Lenexa, Kansas in 1959 and thus began her showing and teaching career at Somerset Stables. Beverly was active in the Mission Valley Hunt serving as a whip for 17 years. In 1961 Somerset Stables moved to 119th and Blackbob Road, Olathe, Kansas with Mission Valley Pony Club soon to follow and Beverly and Patsy Hahn became the instructors.

In 1966 Beverly began serving as DC, a firm leader yet always sensitive to the needs of the young rider, she made preparation and safety of rider and horse her priority. She retired from the position as DC in 1984 after 19 years. Beverly remained with the United States Pony Club as a National Examiner culminating in the Founders Award in 2000.

Beverly had a long association with the American Royal Hunter/Jumper Show first as the assistant show manager and later the stable manager/coordinator. In 2010 the American Royal honored her as Horse Show Person of the Year. Influencing lives in and out of the ring, Bev was the ultimate Coach, Friend, Cheerleader and Confidant.

A Visitation for Beverly will be held Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 12:00pm to 1:00pm at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO, followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00pm. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Saddle & Sirloin from 2:00pm to 4:00pm, 14401 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO.