A Sad Week for Equestrian Sport - Passing of Two Greats
Brian Cobcroft and Depeche at the Mexico Olympics 1968 1968 Olympic Games, Mexico |
Equestrian NSW has lost two of its most loved and highly respected members this week with the sad passing of saddle horse competitor, judge and breeder, Jill Grant, and Olympic medallist, Brian Cobcroft.
Jill Grant joined Equestrian NSW in 1996. She was a successful competitor in the hacking world, a well known breeder and the owner of Bamborough Stud. Jill was a National Show Horse Judge and we were fortunate to have secured her to judge at the 2008 Horse of the Year. She was a regular attendee at the Equestrian NSW Saddle Horse Judges' clinics and we have very fond memories of her involvement in our sport.
Brian Cobcroft was a legend of the sport having represented Australia at two Olympics in eventing - Tokyo in 1964 and in Mexico in 1968. In 1968 he and his team picked up a bronze medal. In addition to his Olympic feats he also competed for Australia in 1991 and 1993 in the Australian Cutting Horse team against the USA and in 1995 he captained the winning International Cutting Horse team. Brian was also a past president of Jumping NSW
In 2000, as a symbol of the Sydney Olympics, he was inducted into the Australian National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame. Brian died peacefully on the weekend at the age of 75 after an on-going illness.
Jill and Brian, you will both be greatly missed.
