By Kate Inexperienced, deputy editor, Nation Life
John Tulloch, the main contributor to the game of eventing and eternally smart counsel to many died on 23 January after a brief sickness, aged 83, at his dwelling at Lockerbie, Scotland.
He noticed the game from all points and thru many modifications, as a rider, organiser, official, guardian and grandparent – two of his three kids, Andrew and the late Miranda, competed, as have his grandsons Thomas and Archie – and was a continuing and charming presence, all the time with a spark of humour.
John competed on the highest stage over 20 years. In 1961 he was fifth at Badminton on Benjamin Bunny and seventh at Little Badminton on Botany Diploma, and in 1983 he was twenty second on Bower Grit. He ran Lockerbie Horse Trials for a few years and was instrumental in serving to to get Thirlestane Fortress, dwelling of the Scottish Championships, off the bottom. As well as, he officiated as an FEI technical delegate, together with at Blenheim and Burghley, the place organisers had been all the time reassured by his effectivity, information and diplomacy.
John was elected onto the Horse Trials Committee, because it was then identified, in 1973, and chaired the occasions, publicity and finance committees. He grew to become chairman of the Horse Trials Group in 1991 and later within the Nineties grew to become chairman of British Equestrian Federation (BEF), on the essential time when eventing was turning into unbiased from the British Horse Society.
Nearer to dwelling, the place he ran the household farm and property, he had initially skilled as a chartered surveyor. He was chairman of the Dumfriesshire Hounds and district commissioner of the Dumfriesshire department of the Pony Membership. He was nonetheless using with the household up till final autumn.
“Johnny was certainly one of my oldest and greatest mates inside the equestrian world,” mentioned Hugh Thomas, former Badminton director and BEF chairman.
“He was an actual chief with out being showy. He was tactful, charming, clear-sighted as to the way forward for the game and a person of the best integrity.’
Mike Etherington-Smith, a former chief government of British Eventing, added: “Johnny was a rock-solid affect on the game. We had many chats over time and he was an amazing supply of knowledge, however he was additionally quiet and unassuming with it. He was merely a beautiful particular person.”
He’s survived by his widow Jean, sons Andrew and Richard, and stepsons Alister, Douglas and James.
All are welcome at a service of thanksgiving for John on 8 February at 12 midday at Crichton Memorial Church, Dumfries DG1 4ZZ.
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