Farewell to the horse world’s great and good: Joan Harris

H&H reports the passing of individuals who have made a significant contribution to the horse world. Funerals and memorial details will be included where possible

A keen equestrian and dedicated riding instructor has died aged 85.

Joan Harris died on 13 August at St Nicholas House Care Home in Dereham, Norfolk.

Mrs Harris was born in Sussex and her passion for horses began at an early age.

By the time she was 20 her equestrian experience included training racehorses, point-to-point racing, showing, hunting, assisting an equine vet and backing and training.

She was sponsored by the Pony Club to take an intensive training course at the Fulmer School of Equitation, where she worked towards getting her British Horse Society (BHS) certificates.

Mrs Harris married her husband Kenneth in 1951 and established herself as a racehorse trainer. She took in boarders for lessons and training, while also competing in dressage and eventing.

With this experience she was invited to give clinics and conduct examinations for the British Horse Society.

In 1983 Mrs Harris moved to the USA to become dressage and eventing coach for Lake Erie College in Ohio. The following year she became the director of the college’s equestrian centre.

She held this post for four years until she had to resign due to her husband’s ill heath.

In 1988 she accepted an appointment to serve on a national committee to develop an American certification programme for dressage instructors for the United States Dressage Federation.

“Joan will be sadly missed, especially in the horse world,” said her son David.

“She had a unique way of reaching out to people while she was teaching, giving them confidence and making them feel they could conquer the world. She touched so many hearts in England and the USA.”

Mrs Harris’ funeral will take place at 3.15pm on Thursday (27 August) at Mintlyn Crematorium, Kings Lynn, PE32 1HB, and afterwards at the Sandboy, Gayton Road, Kings Lynn.

Karen Stives

Olympic eventer Karen Stives has died at the age of 64.

Karen died on 14 August from lung cancer.

In 1984, Ginny Elliot and Karen made history at the Los Angeles Olympics by becoming the first women to win individual Olympic eventing medals.

Karen won silver on her mother Lillian Mahoney’s Ben Arthur and Ginny took bronze.

She rode for the US in numerous internationals on her thoroughbred eventer, The Saint, including the 1982 World Championships in Lumühlen.

After retiring from international competition, Karen became an FEI judge and chairman of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s selectors.

Last year, she gave $1million to the USET which was used to set up a competition grants fund for high performance eventing.

Karen is survived by her partner, Bob Hutchison, sister Linda McCabe and three nieces and nephews.

Patricia Leitch

Patricia Leitch, author of some of the best-loved pony books, has died aged 82 (July 28).

The children’s novelist wrote the popular 12-book Jinny series from 1976 to 1988.

The stories were set in the Highlands and centered on Jinny, an adventurous girl who rescues Arab mare Shantih.

Ms Leitch wrote many other stories and her last work, The Mystery Horse, was released in 1997.

She had a great love for horses and enjoyed trekking in the Highlands.

Before her writing career, she had also been a librarian at the University of Glasgow and then trained as a primary school teacher.

Catnip publishing began reprinting the Jinny series in July 2010.

Richard Kinsley

Richard Kinsey, who ran Tetton Hall Horse Trials with his late wife Frances, has died aged 90.

He died peacefully on Monday (10 August) following a short illness.

Frances died on 12 March 2013 aged 88. The pair last ran the event in Middleton, Cheshire, in 2009 when they were both 82.

“It is with great sadness that I have to pass on the news that Richard (Dick) Kinsey of Tetton Hall in Middlewich has passed away,” said a spokesman for British Eventing.

“He will be sadly missed and remembered fondly by all who knew him,” added the spokesman.

Mr Kinsey’s funeral will be for family only but a memorial service will be held on Thursday 20 August at 12 noon in St Leonard’s Church, Warmingham, Cheshire.

Donations in his memory can be made towards St Leonard’s Church.

Chris White

A former British Horse Society (BHS) bridleways officer has died.

Chris White died on 3 July aged 79.

She was responsible for creating many circular riding routes in the South East.

One of her triumphs was preventing an existing bridleway from being diverted by several miles.

She pressured the Department for Transport to build a bridge over the M25 near Sevenoaks in Kent to stop the diversion.

An active member of Endurance GB, Chris used to ride long distances to visit her family and also took part in the Golden Horseshoe Ride in Exmoor.

Chris was an accomplished musician and played both violin and piano.

She also volunteered with Riding for the Disabled.

Chris leaves behind her husband Alan and children Maggie, Helen and Neville.

Gerry Tribe

The Horse Rangers Association (Hampton Court) has paid tribute to one of its longest serving members.

Colonel in chief Gerry Tribe died on 3 July at the age of 92.

He became involved with the group in 1968 when his nine-year-old daughter Tina started riding there.

He was made commanding officer in 1977, retiring after 26 years in the role. In 2004, he became colonel in chief.

A statement from the Horse Rangers Association read: “Everyone recalls what a kind, helpful and caring man he was — rarely raising his voice and always willing to give a hand or show how things should be done.”

In 2009, the board of trustees made Gerry an honorary life member.

He continued to support the group and attended their Riding for the Disabled Association open day a week before he died.

His funeral was due to be held at South West Middlesex Crematorium, Hanworth, today (Wednesday, 22 July).

Dawn Wofford

Former leading showjumper Dawn Wofford, née Palethorpe (pictured, credit Kit Houghton), has died at the age of 79.

Her showjumping career highlights include winning the Queen Elizabeth II cup twice and representing Great Britain at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Dawn met her American husband, Warren Wofford, at the Stockholm Olympics, where they were both reserve riders.

After becoming a mother to Valerie, John and Bruce, Dawn became re-involved with the Pony Club.

She became the organisation’s first lady chairman in 1991 and in 1997 she co-ordinated the rewriting of the Manual of Horsemanship.

“Dawn touched many lives, influenced many and was a dynamic and enthusiastic motivator,” said her daughter Valerie Cockburn.

“She was passionate about ‘putting back’ the fun she had had from horses and helping young people reach the best of their potential, whether they were riding hairy ponies or world class horses.”

‪Dawn died on 12 July. Her funeral is on Monday (27 July) at St Peter’s Church, Coughton.

Donations to Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance.

Charles Hood

Charles Hood, Lincoln Horse Trials organiser, former show director and chief equine steward at the Lincolnshire Show and Burton Hunt chairman, has died age 64.

Charles, known to many in the eventing community as Charlie, was joint organiser of the event for 20 years and stepped down only a few months before his death on Sunday 12 July.

“Charles was renowned for being the most polite and charming man with a good word to say for everyone,” said long-time friend and colleague, commentator Robert Heneage. “Anyone who ever met him would have received a ‘thank you so much’ from Charles.”

In addition to organising at Lincoln, Charles was also a BE cross-country course designer and long-standing steward.

Charles leaves his wife Tessa and their two sons Thomas and James.

Thomas Capstick

The founder of Murthwaite Fell Pony Stud has died.

He set up the stud in 1962, and its horses remained one of the few semi-feral fell pony herds running on the Howgills.

Murthwaite ponies have achieved a great many accolades —including wins at Horse of the Year Show and with ponies being ridden by The Queen.

The last pony to be registered under the Murthwaite prefix was born on the 8 June.

“Thomas will be missed not only for his wonderful ponies but for his generous spirit. Always quick to smile, he introduced a great many people to the fell pony world,” said friend Samantha McDermott.

“Friends will miss most his wicked sense of humour, his cheerful singing and of course his passion for his beloved ponies.

“Thomas gave many people fantastic opportunities — myself included. A true gentleman, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him.”

Geoff Charley

The founder of Townfields Saddlers died on 21 June at the age of 75.

Geoff was known to many in the equestrian and shooting worlds through the family business, which he set up with his wife Gill in 1963.

He leaves behind his wife, their children Adrian and Sarah and four grandchildren.

Sarah told H&H: “He built Townfields to what it is today because he loved horse sport and adored working alongside his family.”

A minute’s silence was held at Hickstead on Sunday (28 June) to remember him.

Dr Peter Lamont

The well-known eventing starter and owner Dr Peter Lamont has died.

Alongside Bill Allen, who died in April, Peter was a familiar face at horse trials, and as a starter officiated at hundreds of events including the Hong Kong Olympics and the 2006 Asian Games.

He was also involved in the sport as an organiser for Purston Manor Horse Trials and volunteered as a cross-country starter at a huge number of British Eventing (BE) fixtures including Tweseldown.

Peter also owned Beanie Sturgis’ four-star horse Lebowski.

The retired doctor died last week (2 June) and leaves his wife, Jill, a welll-known entries secretary.

BE’s David Holmes said: “This is deeply saddening news which will affect everyone in the sport. I know he was an extremely friendly and much-loved man in the community.”

Gerrit-Jan Swinkels

Gerrit-Jan Swinkels the president of Indoor Brabant, the famous show in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, has died while riding.

The 67-year-old died suddenly on Monday 25 April while riding on the Belgian coast at Knokke-Heist in West Flanders. The exact circumstances of his death have not been released.

Mr Swinkels became president of Indoor Brabant in 2002 and planned to hand over to his successor in 2017 during the event’s 50th anniversary.

He was also president of the board of directors of Springpaarden Fonds Nederland, which is dedicated to developing jumping horses.

“Gerrit-Jan was a wonderful person, and thanks to him the profile of equestrian sport has grown tremendously”, said John Roche, FEI jumping director.

“The sport has lost one of its greatest friends, enthusiasts and supporters, and an immeasurable void has been left. We will all miss him greatly.”

Daphne Lakin

The Hon Mrs Daphne Lakin who started Iping Horse Trials over forty years ago died peacefully at home after a short illness on 29 April aged 96.

She had been involved with horses all her life, firstly on the polo field where she was encouraged by her husband John and his brother, who are both international players. Daphne was also involved with the Pony Club and used to run ‘pony parties’ to entertain her son Michael and his friends.

Daphne ran Iping Horse Trials with a committee of friends for many years. More recently she dedicated her time to the design and the building of the cross-country fences and course.

She was to be seen out on the course as recently as last year with her hammer and nails.

Bill Allen

Eventing stalwart Bill Allen died on 4 April. He had been suffering from cancer.

Alongside his wife Ann, a British Eventing scorer and event secretary, Bill was well-known on the eventing circuit. The pair officiated at the 2008 and at 2012 Olympics.

“Bill was involved in the sport for many years as an organiser however he was also very well known for his work as a starter and volunteer at a great number of British Eventing (BE) events,” said a BE spokesman.

“Bill was one of the great personalities within the sport and a friend to many, he will be very sadly missed by all those in the eventing community.”

Tony Cavendish Cooper BHSI

The showjumping trainer and owner has died aged 68.

He passed away on 28 February.

Tony was “horse mad” from an early age and owned and trained showjumpers.

“His family have had some wonderful responses from hisfriends and he will be greatly missed by all those who knew him,” said a spokesman for the family.

Norah Machattie

The breeder and organiser has died aged 85.

Born in Glasgow in 1929, Norah lived for all things equestrian and was there at the beginning of Aberdeenshire’s North East Riding Club in the 1940s.

During her life, she bred many sport horses with her business partner Liz Davidson — the most famous being the horse that launched Ian Stark’s career Oxford Blue, a team silver medal winner at the LA Olympics.

Norah was pivotal in the organising of Royal Deeside Horse Trials for many years and then, along with her great friend Joan Weir, set up the Dietsmann Dressage Festival in Scotland.

Together, Norah and Joan set up Gordon Dressage Group, which still continues and carries on their legacy of bringing top judges to the area for its monthly competitions.

Following the onset of Alzheimer’s in 2007, Norah and her husband Keith moved to New Zealand to be near their daughter Clare.

Norah is survived by her husband, her daughter, her two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Maureen Walton

The keen eventing supporter died on 2 March, aged 82. She had been suffering from cancer.

Maureen was instrumental in devising the scoring system for three-day events, her written notes being used for many events, until technology came in.

She was joint chairman of Windsor Horse Trials with Peggy Maxwell of when it was a two-day event on Smiths Lawn and she was joint chairman with Col. Frank Beale of Windsor Park Equestrian Club in its early days, and subsequently scored dressage on Club days for many years. She also, until very recently, did the dressage scoring for Bookham Riding Club.

Lord Waterford (11 February, 2015)

Polo stalwart John Hubert de la Poer Beresford, the 8th Marquess of Waterford, died earlier this month (11 February). He was 81 years old.

Lord Waterford’s love for equestrianism started at Eton where he rode the first of many point-to-point winners and went on to be the youngest ever member of the Irish Turf Club.

He later turned to polo and was a member of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Windsor Park team, winning the Gold Cup at Cowdray Park on two occasions — in 1966 and 1969. He was also captain of the All Ireland Polo Club from 1960 to 1985 and its highest handicapped player.

His love of polo has been passed on to his grandson — Richard Le Poer — who is a six-goal professional.

Janet Elliott (21 February 2015)

Former showjumper and hunting stalwart Janet Elliott (nee Smith) died last month (21 February). She was 70 years old.

Janet had a successful showjumping career and trained with Hans Günter Winkler in Germany. She rode on the British team for thirteen years and won the U21 class at the Hickstead Derby Meeting consecutively for three years.

“Laterally, Janet has enjoyed seeing two generations of her family excel in the hunting field,” a family spokesman said.

Hugh Condry (27 February 2015)

The former Horse & Hound deputy editor died peacefully in his sleep aged 88. Hugh worked as a journalist for more than 50 years, continuing work until he was 84.

He was a key member of staff at H&H for 32, and spent 14 years as deputy editor. He was also point-to-point correspondent for the Daily Telegraph, and latterly for the Racing Post and Racing Post Weekender.

Hugh leaves behind his wife Sue, two daughters and ten grandchildren.

A thanksgiving service will be held at Dulverton All Saints Church, Somerset at 2pm on Wednesday 18 March.

Brigadier Peter Marzetti

A great huntsman and sportsman, Brigadier Peter Marzetti, has died aged 82.

His hunting career started at the age of 14 years, a young boy on a rough pony with the Enfield Chase, and continued throughout his 82 years.

As an army officer, he always ensured his postings were in the UK, giving him the opportunity to hunt both harriers and foxhounds across England and Ireland.

He was the field master of the Staff College Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Drag Hounds in the early 1970s, and for the last 25 years of his life hunted with and supported the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale where he was a Joint-Master of Foxhounds (1990-1995) and hunt secretary (1996-2000). In the later years he enjoyed attending the meet, supporting the Countryside Alliance and socialising with his many friends and fellow huntsmen.

He died at home after a fall from one of his horses in November. He leaves a wife, four daughters and seven grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at St Peter’s Church, West Lydford, Somerset on Friday 27th February at 2.00pm, no flowers donations to the Hunt Staff Benefit Society.

Lucy Diamond (17 February 2015)

The former four-star eventer turned dressage rider lost her battle with cancer at the age of 43. Having successfully ridden around Badminton in 2006 on Carousel VI, Lucy later turned her attention to pure dressage.

Belle Leggat (29 December 2014)

Equestrian stalwart Belle Leggat died on 29 December 2014. She was 97 years old.

Her equestrian portfolio included showjumping, pointing, hunting, showing and, alongside her husband, Tannny, breeding more than 35 racehorses.

“One of Belle’s great passions was hunting,” said a spokesman for the family. “She was a bold and fearless follower of the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire in the early days and the Lauderdale.

“She was once asked to showjump for Britain in Paris but did not go as it was going to interfere with the cubbing season.”

Belle’s riding career continued until she was 80 and she passed her passion onto future generations including her daughter Jane Fitzgerald who died in 2002.

Joan Gray (29 January 2015)

Riding instructor, showjumping owner and all round horsewoman Joan Gray died on 29 January aged 84.

She was the proprietor of Greatstone Riding Stables from 1950 – 1979.

Following her early years of winters spent working with hunters and summers spent with her own horses, Joan had a promising showjumping career. However, competitive career was ended by lupus in 1980. Through determination she did ride again and even drove her horsebox, enabling Joan to give a younger generation trips to the shows and allowing her to pass on her skills.

Her funeral takes place on Friday 20 February 11am at The Romney Marsh Community Church, North Street, New Romney.

June Darby Nuttall (12 June 1921 – 20 December 2014)

The honorary vice president of British Showjumping (BS), June Darby Nuttall, died on 20 December aged 93.

Born at Colshaw Hall in Knutsford, Cheshire, June was riding her Shetland pony before she could walk.

She started course building in the 1960s and became involved with the All England Jumping Course where she designed courses in the Foxhunter ring.

June became BS regional representative for the south west for almost two decades. She was also a registered BS judge and showjumping runs in the family, with her granddaughter Harriet competing on Nations Cup teams last year.

“She knew the sport from every angle and was extremely passionate in the way that it progressed, giving her time freely and never missing a meeting unless it absolutely unavoidable,” said a spokesman for BS.

She had been honorary vice president since 2000.

David Lloyd-Thomas (3 January 2015)

Leading pony judge David Lloyd-Thomas died at his home in Northamptonshire on Saturday 3 January. He was 85 years old.

David was a leading judge for the British Show Pony and National Pony Society for many years, judging at all major shows, including the Royal International Horse Show and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

David’s initial interest in judging started when he won the gold medal for stock judging at Smithfield at an early age.

A farmer, but with always a keen enthusiasm for breeding, showing and eventing; David bred and owned the successful eventers Milton Tyson, General and Tin Man, the former two being ridden by Mark Todd and latterly David’s son Roland.

Among others David also bred Milton Pageboy who won the 128cm Show Pony Class at last year’s HOYS.

Our sympathies go to David’s wife Estelle and children, Roland and Harriett.

Johnny O’Shea (12 January 2015)

Johnny O’Shea, former huntsman of the Cheshire Hunt from 1966-1991, died on 12 January, aged 77.

An exemplary horse and hound man, Johnny was married to Anne and the father of James and the late Maureen.

Following his retirement to Moss Cottage on the Cholmondeley Estate, Johnny inspired great confidence in the young to keep hunting and continued to follow hounds regularly.

A man of great character, he also achieved success as a greyhound trainer, including victory in the Waterloo Cup.

The funeral will take place at St Wenefrede’s Church, Bickley Cheshire on 26 January at 1pm.

Virginia Anne Pritchard (29 May 1932 — 24 December 2014)

Showing judge Virginia Anne Pritchard has died aged 82, on 24 December 2014.

Anne, as she was affectionately known, was a respected horsewoman and produced many winning show horses from her home Ryalls Stud in Dorset ridden and produced by both her children.

She was a highly-regarded judge and officiated on many panels including the British Show Pony Society, the National Pony Society, and the British Show Horse Association. She also judged the Search for a Star series many years along side Robert Oliver.

Her funeral will be held on 20 January 2015 at 12 noon at Bishops Caundle Church, Sherborne, Dorset.

The 8th Duke of Wellington Brigadier Arthur Wellesley (31 December 2014)

Guards Polo Club vice president, the 8th Duke of Wellington Brigadier Arthur Wellesley, died on 31 December. He was 99 years old.

The Duke was one of the founding members of the club and was its first chairman in 1955.

A spokesman from the club said: “Despite retiring from the game some years ago, he continued to take a keen interest in the sport at Smith’s Lawn, regularly attending matches including presenting his own Duke of Wellington Trophy every August.

“Guards Polo Club sends its heartfelt condolences to the Wellesley family.”

The Duke’s wife Diana Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington, died in 2010. The heir to the peerages is the eldest of his four sons, Charles, Marquess of Douro, a former MEP.

Jane Edwards (21 December 2014)

Showing rider Jane Edwards of Sarnau Stud passed away on 21 December. Before her marriage to Hugh in 1955, Jane worked at various stables, including the Lee-Smiths’. It was there that she rode two of the most famous ponies of all time in Pretty Polly and My Pretty Maid.

They soon established a leading Welsh pony stud at Sarnau, with their ponies having a big influence worldwide.

One of their homebred stallions, Sarnau Rheolwr (foaled in 1985), sired Cwrtycadno Cadfridog, whom they bought. They won major awards with him before selling him to Cottrell Stud, for whom he was Royal Welsh champion and HOYS qualifier in 1996.

The stud specialised in palominos and captured many Royal Welsh championships. They bought Sarnau Venus (daughter of My Pretty Maid) as a foal and bred some of the country’s top riding ponies, such as Sarnau Miss Mink, Sarnau Squirrel and Sarnau Royal Shrimp, who all won at Horse of the Year Show.

Horace Batten (7 December 2014)

The chairman of his family’s bespoke bootmaking business died on 7 December aged 102.

The fifth generation of his family to run the company, Horace took control in his mid-20s and oversaw a switch to making deck boots for submariners during World War II. After the war, the business concentrated on the custom-made hunting boot. It moved to Ravensthorpe, Northants, in the 1960s.

The Batten family has provided handmade boots to generations of hunt staff and masters as well as famous showjumpers, including Nick Skelton and Ted Edgar. Their boots are also reputed to have been worn by servicemen and women during many conflicts.

Horace is survived by his son Timothy, who has been running the operation since Horace reduced his involvement as he got closer to 100 years old. He made his last pair of boots aged 99.

Enid Whitaker (3 January 2015)

Enid Whitaker, mother of John, Michael, Ian and Steven and the matriach of the Whitaker dynasty, passed away on Saturday 3 January aged 85, after a short illness.

It was Enid, wife of Donald, who died in 2005, who passed on her love of horses to her four sons — and thus began one of the greatest equestrian families in the world.

“From the very beginning it was her that encouraged us all to ride – we owe her a lot,” Michael told H&H. “She was extremely proud of all her family and would come and watch us right until she was too ill to get about.

“She and my dad couldn’t get enough of it — she must have gone to every show in England. She’ll be a huge loss to the family.”

Her funeral will be held on 20 January.

Wojtek Markowski (1947 – 5 January 2015)

Five-star dressage judge and technical delegate Wojtek Markowski died from cancer on 5 January. He was 67 years old.

Mr Markowski, who was from Poland, judged at his first Olympics in Athens in 2004. He was a technical delegate at London 2012 and was due to perform the same role in Rio next year.

In 2012, he was appointed board member of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), where he proposed the creation of the EEF Dressage Working Group — which he then chaired. He was also the Eastern and Central Europe representative for the International Dressage Officials Club.

“Wojtek played a central role in judging and developing international dressage in a career spanning over 30 years”, Trond Asmyr, FEI director of dressage and para-dressage said.

“He was one of our most active judges and had a brilliant statistician’s mind. Thanks to his sought-after expertise, he was due to head to his second consecutive Olympics as technical delegate in Rio in 2016.

“He has left a valuable legacy for international dressage, and his dedication and passion for our sport will be very sorely missed.”