Interviews with Pat North Ommert, Marguerite Happy, and Bonnie Happy

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  Interview with Pat North Ommert

  Robert Danziger

  A skilled trick rider, Roman rider and jumper, and jockey, Ommert toured the world with Wild West shows. She acted as a stunt double in Hollywood movies such as the 1954 picture, “A Star is Born,” and landed contracts for performances at Madison Square Garden and Boston Garden. After she retired from trick riding, Ommert and her husband, a veterinarian, opened California’s first private equine hospital and the Los Caballos Farm, a center for resting and rehabilitating horses. Ommert was the recipient of the California Professional Horsemen’s Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. She has become a legend through her riding, and her invaluable advocacy to keep California’s horse trails and open spaces preserved will benefit cowgirls in generations to come (from the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame).

  Pat was born October 12, 1929 in Bell, California (near Los Angeles). Pat is 91 at the time of this interview.

  Pat’s Mother, Vera North, was also a trick rider, bronc rider and stunt woman.

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  Interview with Pat North Ommert, Marguerite Happy, and Bonnie Happy

  Robert Danziger

  A skilled trick rider, Roman rider and jumper, and jockey, Ommert toured the world with Wild West shows. She acted as a stunt double in Hollywood movies such as the 1954 picture, “A Star is Born,” and landed contracts for performances at Madison Square Garden and Boston Garden. After she retired from trick riding, Ommert and her husband, a veterinarian, opened California’s first private equine hospital and the Los Caballos Farm, a center for resting and rehabilitating horses. Ommert was the recipient of the California Professional Horsemen’s Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. She has become a legend through her riding, and her invaluable advocacy to keep California’s horse trails and open spaces preserved will benefit cowgirls in generations to come (from the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame).

  Marguerite Happy was born as Marguerite Martins. She is known for her work on WarGames (1983), The Mask of Zorro (1998) and Blade (1998). She has been married to Clifford Happy since 1977. Married into a stunt family and is from a rodeo family herself, including father Jim Martins and brother Kearney Martins. Her sons Sean Happy and Ryan Happy continue the tradition.

  Bonnie Happy is the president of the United Stuntwomen’s Association (USA), an association of working, professional stuntwomen, coordinators, and second unit directors. The Association was established in 1984 for the purpose of assembling the top stuntwomen in the film industry. In addition to general, all around stunt abilities, USA offers champion stunt pilots, motorcycle racers, rock climbers, martial artists, equestrians, high divers, gymnasts, water specialists, circus performers, car specialists, and pyrotechnic performers. The highly qualified members of USA have distinguished themselves as professionals; creatively balancing safety with artistry through their extensive work in the film and television industry.