We would like to acknowledge Graham’s contribution to the Clyde branch, Central Otago Pony Club and of course Otago Southland Area in the last 10 years.  During his time as a member of Clyde and Central Otago he took on the role of president for both, and was on our Area show jumping sub-committee for many years, if there was one thing you could count on, it was that if Graham said he would do something, he did it!!

Graham had a passion for teaching our younger inexperienced riders,  he wanted to ensure they were guided and nurtured and as he would say, “had a good start” to becoming well rounded, competent, and safe riders. 

He loved to coach the D Riders, and they loved him, in fact Im pretty sure Maddie Harrex stayed in his group for a couple of years just so she could continue to have him as her coach!!

On many occasions at our competition days and have a go days, Graham would be judging and mentoring our young riders.  If there were riders eliminated and he was judging, he would always want to stop the competition so he could speak to the riders, give them some advice or explain what might have happened, he would then take the rider to a jump and take the top pole off or whatever was necessary to ensure the rider got to jump a jump before leaving the ring!!  

As you can imagine, this meant a long day for all, as it usually meant we may be an extra hour or two before we would finish, but at the end of the day, he would be so chuffed to know he had managed to get a few more riders just a little taste of achievement before they left the ring!  

He gave his time to all things pony club. The car and the caravan would be seen parked at all our local events as well as those we had to travel far too; Graham got so much pleasure following his branch, club and even area riders to team events.  Whether it be show jumping, games, eventing or dressage, if he had riders there, he was there!!  He attended the Springston trophy Event every year while he was at Clyde until 2019, where he felt he just wouldn't be able to  manage the trip. 

He would be the first to arrive at working bees, always doing just as much as his peers half his age!!  I had many discussions with him regarding working bees and his attendance, and how maybe he didn't need to be the first to arrive and last to leave!!  But this was a battle I knew I would never win.  I even used to tell him porkies when he would ring to ask what time the working bee would start in the last few years, but there was no fooling him, he would always turn up before me anyway!!  

So for our branch and club, we have been extremely blessed to have Graham with us in this his last chapter, he has shared his time, knowledge, and wisdom, with so many riders, coaches, parents and organisers over the years and I know he has left a huge hole in our Club.  We named him our branch God Father for a reason, he was so proud of that.