In Memoriam: Stephen Clarke, 1952 – 2026

Following the announcement of the sad passing of Stephen Clarke on Sunday 14 June, aged 73, we reflect on the vast impact he had on our sport and the incredible legacy he leaves behind.

Stephen Clarke will be remembered to everyone as one of the most highly respected dressage judges in the world. However, it was inside the arena, rather than in the judge’s box, that he first made his mark on the equestrian world.

Stephen’s lifelong love of horses began as a boy growing up in a small Welsh village, where a neighbouring farmer’s ponies first captured his imagination. From there, Stephen went on to enjoy early success in his equestrian career as a showjumper and eventer, before his love of training horses ultimately led him to dressage.

As a dressage rider he won five National Championship titles, representing Great Britain in international competition in the 1970s and 80s, including on Ulysses at the 1980 Alternate Olympics at Goodwood and was selected with Becket as the reserve combination for the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988.

Stephen started his role as an official in his early 20s, as he was “fed up with everyone moaning about the judging.” When he decided to move away from competing, he spent the next three decades dedicated to the development of the sport, rising through the ranks to become a 5* FEI judge, the highest accolade of international judging.

As a 5* FEI judge, he officiated at countless international championships, including his first Olympic Games in Athens in 2004. His proudest moment was as President of the Ground Jury at London in 2012, then returning to the judging panel at the 2016 Games in Rio, where he saw Great Britain enjoy back-to-back Olympic medal success.

Stephen was also a familiar face on the judging panel at numerous World Cup Finals, European Championships and World Equestrian Games.  His knowledge and expertise were considered second to none, and he commanded respect across the world as one of the most highly regarded officials in dressage.

As a member of the FEI Dressage Committee Stephen was instrumental in putting together the FEI judge’s handbook – now considered the bible of modern judging. His efforts earned tremendous respect for British judges worldwide and contributed greatly to the reputation and profile of dressage as a sport.

A Fellow of the British Horse Society and former President of the International Dressage Officials Club, Stephen was presented with a British Equestrian Medal of Honour in 2000 and The Queen’s Award for Equestrianism in 2010.

In 2013, Stephen was elected as FEI Dressage Judge General, and he had a huge influence on the training and education of judges at both national and international level. His support and mentorship have inspired and benefitted the next generation and many of our top riders and senior officials are a product of his help, advice, and encouragement.

The International Dressage Officials Club gave the following tribute to Stephen, which underlines just how highly regarded he was by his peers:

“It is with profound sadness, and yet with an equally profound sense of gratitude, that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend, colleague and former IDOC President, Stephen Clarke.

“Stephen was, quite simply, one of the greatest gifts the sport of dressage has ever received. His passing leaves a stillness in our world that will take a long time to fill – and yet, if we listen carefully, we can still hear his voice: warm, measured, often wonderfully witty, and always pointing us toward what is right and good in this sport we all love.”

Closer to home, Stephen was an integral part of British Dressage as an organisation throughout his career. Stephen was one of the founding Directors on the British Dressage Board between 1997 and 2000, when the organisation was established as an independent National Governing Body for the sport, and chaired BD’s Judges Committee for almost a decade. During this time he made a significant contribution to the development of our judging systems, encouraging more judges to come forward and improving standards of officiating.

Fellow FEI 5* judge and BD Judges Director Peter Storr, shared his memories of him “He was a wonderful mentor and friend over the years. I first met him when I was just a boy learning to ride, in a riding centre when I was trying to master the art of rising trot!

He was always there to confide in and ask advice from, and was always super supportive with riding and judging. He mentored me through training to become a judge and always encouraged me when I needed it.”

In 2022 Stephen was appointed as Vice-President of British Dressage, in recognition of the ambassadorial role he had played for Great Britain over many decades, and received the inaugural Linda Whetstone Memorial Trophy, the highest accolade that British Dressage bestows to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport. David Hunt, President of British Dressage, said "Stephen was my best friend, the best man at my wedding, my colleague, my sparring partner. Above all I will miss him terribly and be forever grateful for the memories."

In parallel with his judging commitments, Stephen would also give training clinics to coach his regular clients and help aspiring riders up the ladder. Judy Harvey, BD International Director, who shared a friendship of almost 50 years with Stephen, spoke of his ability to help all riders, no matter what level they were competing at: “He would find the key to people to make them feel valued and make them feel like they had the best horse in the world.”

Judy went on to describe Stephen as “an extraordinary human being” and a “man of principles” and that, despite their close friendship, he would never discuss anything that could be considered a conflict to his role as a judge.

Judy and Stephen started out competing alongside each other, training with Ferdi Eilberg. It was Stephen who encouraged Judy to become an FEI judge and they both embarked on their first FEI judging training together. She talks of him as being a “councillor and a supportive friend through all of life’s key milestones”, and that he "used to love nothing more than sitting up until the early hours of the morning putting the world to rights over a glass of whisky."

Jill Day, BD Chair and another close friend of Stephen’s, also reflects on him both professionally and personally: “There are so many things I could say about Stephen. I often thought of him as a National Treasure, and there is no one more deserving of that title. When you consider the legacy he has left behind – wow, what a legacy that is.

“However, when I think of Stephen, none of those things are the first things that spring to mind. I just see that twinkle in his eye and that infectious giggle. I see an amazing friend, always there if you needed him and always with very honest and straightforward advice. There will never be another that has done so much for our sport and stayed so humble.

“His last words to me were 'please, don't be sad'. This will be the first time I have not been able to follow his advice. Rest in peace, dear friend.”

Outside of dressage, Stephen was a passionate gardener who loved to grow vegetables in his greenhouse at home, a place described by Judy as a “haven of peace and animals”, that he shared with lifetime partner Julian. Stephen was very close to his family, including his brother and his parents, and a friend to so many inside the sport and across the equestrian community. He will be much missed by us all.

Jason Brautigam, BD Chief Executive, commented: “Stephen was one of the most cherished and respected figures in British Dressage, a truly great legend of our sport, yet also one of the most modest and unassuming. But it is hard to overstate how important he was to the development of dressage in this country. He did so much to influence Britain’s reputation and impact on the world stage, as a rider, coach and judge.

“Stephen, together with his good friend and former BD Chair Linda Whetstone, did more than we could ever properly recognise or sufficiently appreciate in the development of our officials and judge education system. His immense contribution was beyond measure and will never be forgotten. Stephen’s legacy will undoubtedly live on forever, but it is his positivity, generosity, warmth and kindness that will always be remembered most, and we can honour him by ensuring that same spirit lives on in all of us.

“On behalf of myself, and all of the staff at British Dressage, we offer our sincerest condolences to Julian and send our thoughts to all of Stephen’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

We will keep members updated with any information we receive about a memorial service in due course. In the meantime, we would appreciate if members could send their tributes and share any memories they may have about Stephen to ceo@britishdressage.co.uk, which we will use to commemorate his incredible contribution to our sport.