OBITUARIES
DR PEARSE LYONS
THE Irish-born entrepreneur and founder of global animal health company Alltech died on 8 March aged 73.
Dr Lyons started out in the brewing industry, using his skills to set up Alltech in 1980.
The company expanded rapidly and now employs more than 5,000 staff across the world. It was title sponsor of the 2010 and 2014 World Equestrian Games.
“Always immaculately dressed, complete with his trademark Panama hat, he was a truly visionary leader who inspired everyone he met with his passion for life and unwavering belief in every project he put the Alltech name to,” said FEI president Ingmar De Vos.
“He was a real family man, not just with his own immediate family and the global Alltech family, but he also embraced — and was embraced by — the equestrian family worldwide.
“He will be sadly missed.” Dr Lyons is survived by wife Deirdre, daughter Aoife, son Mark and daughter-in-law Holly.
MAJOR IAIN FORBESCOCKELL
A LIFE-PLAYING member of Guards Polo Club, Major ForbesCockell died on 3 March aged 65.
Known affectionately as “The Major”, he was a familiar face at the club’s Smith’s Lawn home for more than 40 years, as a player, umpire, commentator and military player liaison.
Major Forbes-Cockell was a former officer in the Life Guards as well as a much-admired writer and polo historian.
He leaves behind daughters Annabel and Emma.
His funeral will take place at the Holy Trinity Garrison Church, Windsor, on 29 March at noon.
GEORGE PEACOCK
A RESPECTED showjumping judge, Mr Peacock died on 9 March at the age of 90.
He learned to ride as a child, enjoying hunting throughout his life and team-chased into his 60s, before hanging up his boots for the final time in 2000.
Mr Peacock served as a showjumping judge for more than 40 years, from the top end of British equestrian sport at the Great Yorkshire Show and Bramham Horse Trials, to organising the showjumping at his local Borrowby Show in
North Yorkshire.
He spent many years as field master for the Hurworth and was also a dedicated supporter of the Pony Club, as well as a committee member.
He trained the Hurworth
Hunt branch of the Pony Club’s mounted games team for many years and was presented with the organisation’s Cubitt Award for long service in 2011.
Mr Peacock was made an honorary life member of British Showjumping in 2009.
RONNIE FRANKLIN
THE US jockey has died aged 58 from lung cancer.
Mr Franklin was 19 when he piloted Spectacular Bid to victory in the first two legs of the US’ 1979 Triple Crown — the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The horse unfortunately stood on a safety pin in his stable ahead of the final race in the trio, the Belmont, in which he finished third.
Mr Franklin rode more than 1,400 winners from 9,242 starts during his 14-year career, which ran from 1978 to 1992, earning prize money of more than $14 million (£10.8 million).
He won the Eclipse Award in 1978 as the nation’s outstanding apprentice of the year.