British Showjumping Honours

 

British Showjumping has awarded two long standing officials with Honorary Life memberships in recognition to their service and dedication to showjumping.

 

During the early 1960’s Gerry competed on several different horses, often breaking in and producing his own horses but also riding for other people. At the end of the 60’s, Gerry received a telephone call from Gwynfor Davies who was Area Representative for Dyfed (Wales) at that time advising that Llandyfaelog Agricultural show had no show jumps for their forthcoming show. Between the two of them they managed to round up enough show jumps and the show went ahead with Gerry having to step in and build the course. 

 

Following the show, Gerry decided to train and become an official course builder and his first training session was to assist the Assistant Course Builder at the Bath and West Show, who at that time was Alan Oliver. Due to unforthseen circumstances, Alan could not attend the first day of the show and Gerry was told to ‘get on with it’ and had to build the course in the second ring by himself. 

 

One memory that has stayed with Gerry was the day he built an event in Gower at which H.R.H. Princess Anne was competing. She unfortunately had a fence down and ever since that day, the brown and yellow fence became famous in the area and known as the ‘Princess Anne’ fence. 

 

Gerry has been both a course builder and judge for Dyfed for over 50 years giving his time voluntarily. He has always shown professionalism and fairness whilst judging and his great delight was seeing the junior riders coming through the ranks. 

 

Gerry was presented with his award By David Broome, CBE at Pembrokeshire County on 15^th August 2012. 

 

David has been Area Representative since 2002 after the sudden death of Jean Briggs. He has officiated at many shows including The Great Yorkshire Show, Lincolnshire and Bramham. David is still officiating strong at the age of 84 and South Yorkshire are indebted to his commitment.

 

David’s introduction to Judging was through a chance conversation with the late John Lanni at Moorhouse in Doncaster.   John knew that he had been involved in the football world and refereed for many years and suggested that he might enjoy judging, seen as he was always at shows with the family. He started off at Moorhouse in 1985 under the guidance of John Lanni, The late Terry Watson and Terry Reynolds. 

 

From there he became involved in the Doncaster showjumping society and the late Les Credland, with whom he spent many memorable years. He then began to take up more and more positions such as Tower House, Ling Farm, Oldcotes Charity Show and the local agricultural shows. Most recently he has been regularly involved at Arena UK, Sykehouse and Bishop Burton. One of his favourite shows is the Great Yorkshire Show which he still looks forward to every year. 

 

David was presented with his award by Di Boddy at the John Hughes Charity Show on 19^th August 2012.