Pat Manning, a British Horse Society Fellow (FBHS), list 1 dressage judge, internationally admired trainer and founding member of what is now the British International Dressage Trainers Foundation, has died aged 77.

 

Manning started out as a secretary in the 1960s at the renowned Fulmer International School of Equitation. She worked her way up to become a senior instructor and one of only 53 BHS Fellows in the world, running the centre in Robert Hall’s absence.

 

As a competitor, she is best remembered riding up to advanced level on Manhattan. Manning then set up her own yard at Aborfield near Reading, which was full of schoolmasters up to grand prix level.

 

Her pupils were some of the biggest names in the world of dressage and eventing, including legendary eventers Lucinda Green and Ginny Leng as well as international dressage judge Jane Kidd, former national dressage champion Nicky Barrett, para-equestrian judge and trainer Jane Goldsmith, Paralympic medallist Sophie Christiansen and chairman of the BHS Patrick Print.

 

She helped para-equestrian riders at international level, particularly in the run-up to the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics. In her latter years, she was instrumental in helping South Bucks Riding for the Disabled Association develop their competitive side and coached riders such as Sophie Christiansen. Manning also mentored many Irish riders and was involved in setting up the Irish Horse Board and devising their exam structure.

 

A friend of 30 years, Print said: “She was a quiet, humble person. She was not a political animal and didn’t push herself forward. She never raised her voice or said much but what she said was so relevant.

 

“She had tremendous insight and understanding; a brilliant trainer who could be relied on to give sound advice. Her training was always classical without any gadgets and she taught pupils that it takes time. She was regarded by the great dressage legend Dr Reiner Klimke as one of the world’s best at lungeing horses. Only recently I heard her described as a genius.”

Pictured are Manning with Print in 2007 at the BHS's Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead, courtesy of Annemarie Westwood. 

 

The funeral will take place at 1.30pm on 15 April at East Hampstead Crematorium, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell. Memorial service details to follow.