MARGARET SHAW (22 October 1948 – 23 April 2025)
Monday 05 May 2025
With great sadness and regret, British Showjumping announce respected Level 3 Judge and Showing and Showjumping correspondent Margaret Shaw has passed away aged 76.
Margaret was a well-known figure at all the major showing events in the country, including Hickstead, HOYS, Dublin, Royal Windsor and the county circuit, alongside many national showjumping shows. She was a diligent and conscientious reporter and feature writer for Horse and Hound for over 30 years, attending the shows from dawn to dusk (and sometimes midnight at HOYS!) capturing the essence of the competition and getting the insights from owners and riders.
Her love of reporting was equalled only by her love of judging at British Showjumping shows. She was in demand as a judge at many showjumping events, not least for her firm but fair approach, always willing to listen and her meticulous timekeeping – insisting on arriving at every show an hour before the start of the first class, “To ensure everything was correct.”
Margaret’s enthusiasm for life bubbled over in conversations and her love of holidaying in Scotland, racing and quiet hobby of fishing were often topics of conversation with riders and their connections during the social scenes at many a showground venue.
Carly Sage, Aintree Racecourse Equestrian Centre Manager and Assistant to the Regional Head of Racing at The Jockey Club, said: “I’ll miss the early morning smiles greeting me in the judges’ box, always early and never late, a warm welcome, everything set up ready to judge and looking forward to the day ahead. I was always amazed by her knowledge, and she knew the rule book better than she knew herself. I will miss her greatly, she was part of the team and a great support.”
The funeral will be held at Walton Lea Crematorium, Warrington WA4 6TB on 12 May at 2.40pm. All welcome with the message, “Wear whatever you wish, she especially loved Poppies, the colours maroon and light blue or the tartan of Scotland, she would love.”
Condolences to all her family, especially daughter Heather Marsh. RIP Margaret. You will be much missed.
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