Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2011 | Page 99
the rider
Island Life - February/March 2011
Photo:Jack with the Welsh Showjumping team at Mill Lodge , Cambridge in 1987
owned the show ground there, and as
because we made some wonderful
the Cheshire Show, a truly remarkable
a result Ireland also became involved
friends through our involvement with
record.
in the mid-1980s. That was when it
showjumping,” said Jack, who before
became known as the Home Pony
he retired combined his equestrian
year’s Olympics Games, and believes
International, and the first official event
duties with his employment in the
Britain have an excellent chance of
was held up in Scotland.
food industry, including being a cheese
winning medals in the equestrian
maker for the Co-operative Society in
events. He said: “It would be nice to
North Wales.
see some of the riders I have watched
“I acted as chef d’equipe for the
Wales team from 1976 until I came to
Jack is already looking forward to next
the Island. The young riders were aged
“We came to the Island because my
from nine to 16, and when we went to
younger daughter and granddaughter
Ireland I was always told I could take as
were living here, and we always
many as I wanted, because they were
liked to visit. We came in 1995, and
once said to Robert Smith, the son of
always so well behaved.”
unfortunately my wife died just eight
Harvey Smith, that he had known me
months later.”
long enough to call me Jack. He said he
Some of the first judging Jack ever
d