Honorary Life Members 2010

Wednesday 18 August 2010

Honorary Life Members 2010

The following British Showjumping members have recently been awarded Honorary Life Memberships for their outstanding services to the sport:
 
Diane Amies
Diana was secretary of a successful riding club which decided to hold affiliated BSJA shows in the early 1970’s, the courses being built by Alan Oliver. There were very successful and when I retired from the riding club I felt I would like still to be associated with the BSJA and Bill Barnes, then Area Representative, invited her to become an Associate Judge. This was about the middle 1970’s when she shadowed him and Pam Pittar around the shows. 
 
After a period of working with the National Sheep Association, Diane was invited to become the secretary of the Bucks County Show where Alan Oliver regularly built.   She was appointed as secretary to the county show, retiring in 1997, with the show having successfully transferred from Hartwell Park to Weedon in 1988, quite a mamouth task for one of the most successful one day agricultural shows in the country! Diane joined the Bucks Area Committee in 1982 , taking on the role of Treasurer in 2002, a position she still holds today. 
 
Frank Hiorns
Frank first became involved with British Showjumping as a Junior member in ponies and until his business interests took precedence he competed in horse classes. He continued to maintain his interest by accompanying friends to Harringay and County Shows and acting as their groom. Frank became a member of the Judges Panel in the late 1960’s and has judged at the majority of the shows in Yorkshire on a regular basis. Frank is ever willing to help any show at any time and is out judging somewhere most weekends throughout the year. He is Chairman of the Aire Valley Riding Club and for many years was involved with the Badsworth Hunt. He has served on many Area Committees and is currently Treasurer of the Regional Funds. Frank has given and is continuing to give excellent service to the sport and the Association and is worthy of his Honorary Life Membership with British Showjumping. 
 
Mike Sullivan
Michael was appointed to the Judges Panel in 1978 and has worked tirelessly alongside his wife, Lynn, judging at shows in the North and around the country.   Michael has been passionately involved with the Lancashire Area Committee for many years which helped to reinstate show jumping at Great Harwood Agricultural Society, Great Eccleston Agricultural Society and Garstang Agricultural Society. Michael is still judging at various shows to this day and has been a great servant to the Lancashire Area and British Showjumping for which we are truly thankful. 
 
Walter Taylor
Walter was appointed to the Associate Course Builders Panel in 1988 and took over the role of Area Representative in 2001, a position which he undertook until 2010. Along with his wife, Joan, who is also a British Showjumping Judge, Walter has worked tirelessly for British Showjumping for many years, along with a stint as District Commissioner of The Oxenholme Pony Club, President of Lakes Riding Club and is a well respected member of the equestrian community both locally and further afield. 
 
Walter is still judging at various shows to this day and has been a great servant to the Area and British Showjumping for which we are truly thankful. 
 
Gill Walker
Gill joined the BSJA at 14 when she began competitive jumping at junior level riding Black Knight, she was runner up at the Horse of the Year Show in 1956 when it was held at Haringey. Gill continued producing novice horses and jumped at County show level until her family arrived in 1967. In 1965 she started Cam show where she was secretary for 35 years, doing which thousands of pounds were raised for cancer charities. 
 
She began judging in the late 60’s under the guidance of the late Beryl Doney (Jon’s mother) and has since judged regularly at all the West Country County shows. More recently Gill was instrumental in getting showjumping re-instated at the Three Counties Show. She has also been a regular showjumping judge at many famous horse trials, including Gatcombe, Blenheim, Barbury and Badminton. 
 
For many years while the late Lady Mary Rose Williams was Area Representative for Gloucestershire, Gill was her duputy, before eventually succeeding her and becoming Area Representative herself – a role she filled for over ten years. Gill continues to serve on the Area Committee as Treasurer. 
 
Her ambition to judge at the Horse of the Year Show was realised some ten years ago, but she has also maintained her involvement at grass roots level by officiating at many Pony Club and Riding Club Events. 

 
Recent More News
Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Board Directors Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Board Directors
28/03/2024
POYS PREVIEW 2024 POYS PREVIEW 2024
27/03/2024
Charlie Hancox from Worcestershire is February’s NAF Shining Star Charlie Hancox from Worcestershire is February’s NAF Shining Star
26/03/2024
British riders hit the heights in Spain with Grand Prix wins as siblings Ellen and Donald Whitaker dominate at two major shows British riders hit the heights in Spain with Grand Prix wins as siblings Ellen and Donald Whitaker dominate at two major shows
25/03/2024
New champions spring into action at the British Showjumping Spring Championships New champions spring into action at the British Showjumping Spring Championships
25/03/2024
view news archive »