August 30, 1953 – January 4, 2022
Charles Vincent Rome was born on August 30, 1953, the fourth and youngest child of Vincent and Antoinette Rome in Whitestone, New York. All his spare time was spent at a hack stable called Chic’s Bar Ranch in the heart of Queens, New York. It was there Charlie met his future wife, Stephanie, at the tender ages of 12 and 14 respectively. Charles and Stephanie were married in 1976, and their only child Eddie was born in 1977. They purchased their first home in 1978 in Medford, Long Island with property to have horses, always keeping that passion alive.
Charlie tried reining for the first time in 1978, and it became an instant attraction that would lead to a successful career. In 1987, Charlie and two good friends purchased a building and together Charlie and Stephanie turned it into a successful restaurant called the Landmark Cafe. The Caffe was a popular destination for reiners from all over the country who traveled to Long Island to show horses.
In the early 1990s, Charlie retired from his job and began horse training professionally; however, the reining industry on Long Island was fading, but the discipline was flourishing in Florida. After spending winters at Bill Horn’s Ocala, Florida facility, the decision was made to relocate CR Reining horses to the Sunshine State in 1996. There, for the next 22 years, a lifetime of memories flourished, culminating in 2004 where Charlie earned a spot on the United States Equestrian Team future class.
With dozens of special wins and still some disappointing losses, the focus was always on the horse. In 2018 it was finally time to retire, and the man who wanted to be a cowboy from the time he could walk finally hung up his spurs. Shortly thereafter, a devastating cancer diagnosis shook the Rome family. After several years of treatment, there seemed to be some light at the end of the tunnel. However, it was not to be. Cancer turned out to be the one horse Charlie just couldn’t break. He took his light into another room on January 4, 2022.
Gone but not forgotten.
