FEI international judge Nick Williams (pictured standing) died on 10 December 2008 aged 76 after a long battle against cancer.

 

Born in New Zealand, Williams moved to Britain in 1987 after head of the FEI dressage committee at the time, Col Nyblaeus, visited him in his home country and persuaded him to train under him to become an international judge. He was then mentored by another renowned international judge, Wolfgang Niggli.

 

Williams judged at two Olympic Games, Seoul in 1988 and Barcelona in 1992, and was a member of the appeals committee at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He travelled all over the world as a judge, including to America, Japan and Russia, and served on the FEI dressage committee.

 

He was renowned for his detailed knowledge of the history of dressage as well as his quick sense of humour.

 

His widow Jenny Williams said: “As his illness progressed, the tougher it became, the funnier he became.”

 

You can read a full tribute to Williams by fellow international judge and friend Jane Kidd in the next issue of British Dressage magazine.

 

A private cremation followed by a thanksgiving service will be held at St Mary’s, Radwinter, near Saffron Walden in Essex on 23 December at 2pm. Jenny kindly requests family flowers only and any donations to the Arthur Rank Hospice.