In Loving Memory: The SBC-CDS Community Celebrates Gina Von der Burg

It's rare that a single afternoon can hold so much laughter, so many tears, and so much love — but that's what happened when members of SBC-CDS and the wider horse community, along with friends and family some who traveled all the way from Colorado, gathered to celebrate the life of Gina Von der Burg. We were honored to feature Gina in our Member Spotlight just this past November. If you haven't read her story yet, click here — it's worth the read.

The Celebration of Life took place at Mulligan's Café on a warm, sun-filled Saturday, July 25th — the kind of day Gina herself would have loved. Her dear friend and fellow chapter member Karen Christensen poured her heart into organizing the event alongside Gina's cousin Tracie Larson, Madii Wagner and Tracey Anderson. Several tables and the wall held photographs of Gina's life, surrounded by wildflowers her friends had flown in all the way from Colorado, a place that clearly still lived in her heart. Looking at those photos, you could feel it: this was a life lived fully, and lived out loud.

Talking with the guests, one thing became clear — Gina and her horses had left their mark on nearly every barn across Santa Barbara and Hope Ranch. She taught so many people to ride, showing up each time with the same rare mix of enthusiasm and no-nonsense grit. She believed in people, and she wasn't afraid to push them a little to get there.

Pastor Dan Hodgson of Santa Barbara Vineyard Church opened the celebration with warm words, prayer, and a beautiful musical tribute. As he spoke about Gina's journey, it was impossible to miss how deep her faith ran, and how that faith seemed to spill straight into her love for people and animals alike. Her son Garrett stood up to share memories, as did Karen Christensen, Madison Wagner, and so many others — each story pulling us between laughter and tears, each one adding another brushstroke to the portrait of who Gina really was: vibrant, funny, full of gusto, and utterly herself.

She was the kind of woman who built confidence in others just by believing in them first. She found joy in the smallest things, and when there wasn't a spot open for her on a soccer team, she didn't wait around for one — she started her own. She called it 'the Dolphins.'

In her final days, Gina worried she might be forgotten. Sitting in that room on Saturday, surrounded by everyone she had touched, it was clear that fear never had to exist. Her spirit — that unstoppable, upbeat, larger-than-life spirit — is going to live on in every one of us who knew her.

Gina gave so much to this chapter, more than words can really capture. Her devotion to the horse community, and to the Earl Warren Dressage shows, helped shape what SBC-CDS is today. In her memory, we're honored to share her obituary and the poems from her celebration below.

There's one line that echoed through the room again and again on Saturday — one I know I'll be borrowing from Gina from now on. So it feels right to end with it, the same way she so often began her days:

"Make it a great day!"

OBITUARY

Gina Gaye Funderburgh

July 15, 1953 – June 9, 2026

Gina Gaye Funderburgh passed away peacefully at her home on June 9, 2026, leaving a legacy of love, compassion, unwavering faith, and service to others.

Born on July 15, 1953, in Kansas City, Missouri, Gina was the daughter or Richard S. Funderburgh and Neva M. Funderburgh and the younger sister of Michael Vonderburgh. After living in several cities during her childhood, her family settled in Santa Barbara, California in 1973.

From an early age, Gina found joy in God’s creations. She loved the outdoors, all animals, skiing, church and spending time on her grandparents’ farm. Animals held a special place in her heart throughout life, especially her beloved horses and Basset Hounds, whose companionship brought her endless happiness. She graduated from Boulder High School in 1971 and later attended Mesa Community College in Grand Junction, Colorado, In 1976, Gina married Roert Silva and together they welcomed t heir son, Garrett. That same year, they purchased Yankee Trading Co., transforming it into ‘Garret’s’, a beloved sandwich and soda fountain shop in downtown Santa Barbara.

Throughout her life, Gina was devoted to education and serving others. She coached youth sports, worked with the English Language Program in Goleta, and spent more than 20 years in the Registrar’s Office at the University of California, Santa Barbara. One of her greatest joys was assisting veterans and international students through UCSB’s Veterans Affairs program.

A gifted flutist, Gina also performed professionally and with the Santa Barbara City College Symphony.

Known in the equestrian community as Gina von der Burg, she became a respected dressage rider, instructor and organizer. Beginning in the early 1990’s, she helped develop the Santa Barbara dressage shows at Earl Warren Showgrounds into the thriving events they are today. Her dedication, leadership, and welcoming spirit left a lasting impact on the community she loved.

After retiring from UCSB in 2014, Gina devoted herself to her greatest passions – her family, her horses, and her cherished Basset Hounds. Whether walking Hendry’s Beach with her dogs or riding through the Santa Inez Valley with her horses, she found peace in the beauty of God’s creation.

Above all, Gina was known for her generous heart. Her Christian faith guided every aspect of her life, inspiring her to care deeply for People and animals alike. She believed every animal deserved love, compassion and a safe home and she had a remarkable gift for making everyone she met feel welcomed, valued, and loved.

Gina is survived by her loving son, Garrett (Kendra) Silva; her cherished grandsons, Reid and Jack Silva of Irvine, CA; her brother Michael (Wendy) Vonderburgh of Honolulu, HI; niece Ashley Blackwood of Knoxville, TN; cousin Tracie (Scott) Larson of Lone Tree, CO; cousin Jan (George) Spicer of La Verne, CA; cousin Doug Scholl of Chino, CA; and many other beloved cousins and dear friends.

While her family grieves her loss, they find comfort in knowing that Gina’s faith in Jesus Christ sustained her throughout her life and that she is now at peace in His presence. Her joyful spirit, warm smile, unwavering love for Gods creatures, and compassionate heart will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.

POEMS

RIDE ON

When morning paints the fields with gold,

And quiet winds the stories hold.

Think of her where hoofbeats fly, beneath an endless, open sky.

With faithful hounds close by her side,

And trusted horses there to ride.

She journeys now where spirits roam,

In every heart, she’s still at home.

For love, once given, does not cease ~

It rides forever, wrapped in peace.

IN PERFECT HARMONY          

She knew that strength was quiet,

That trust could never be demanded, only earned.

Horse and rider, heart to heart

Moving together in perfect harmony.

She found joy in soft nickers at the barn,

The welcoming howl of her basset hounds,

The gentle purr of a contented cat.

And in every creature that crossed her path

To love an animal was for Gina,

To honor its spirit.

The ribbons will face, the hoof prints will soften with time,

But kindness leaves a lasting trail.

So when you hear the steady rhythm of hoofbeats,

See a hound following faithfully behind,

Or feel the quiet comfort of a cat in your lap~

Think of Gina.

For those who live in harmony with the animals

Of this world never truly leave it.

They remain in every act of gentleness,

every bond of trust, and every heart

that learns to love as they did.