JANET MARY GEORGE
THE hunt supporter and Irish Draught breeder died at home on 21 November, aged 72.
Born Miss Dobell-Brown in Australia in 1949, Mrs George left home at 14 and moved to the UK aged 29.
She gained British Horse Society qualifications and got a job teaching at Lea Castle riding school, Worcestershire, where she worked with disabled riders and taught beginners. It was through the riding school she met her husband Robert George, and the couple married in 1982. Mr George was joint-master of the United pack from 2001 until 2013.
In the 1980s the couple bought Silver Birch Farm in Shropshire, where Mrs George bred sheep. She was an avid pro-hunt campaigner and during the 1990s was chief press officer for the British Field Sports Society, which became the Countryside Alliance. During her time with the organisation she was instrumental in the famous Countryside March in London in 1998. She was also a press officer for the British Horse Society.
“She was magnificent on all media, but breathlessly so on breakfast television, where her forthright, eloquent, passionate, honest and intelligent arguments won the day against all comers,” said former journalist Joanna Dakin.
Mrs George then formed her stud, Indigo Irish Draughts. Her broodmares included Little Macha, Indigo Macha Pride and Corraslira Cleo, and stallion Lady’s Tralee Raj was her “pride and joy”.
A highlight was when Indigo Legacy received class one grading and a bronze merit from the Irish Draught Horse Society.
A spokesman for the Irish Draught Horse Society of Great Britain said Mrs George was a great supporter of the breed and always had time to help others.
She was a frequent contributor to H&H’s online forum community, from which she is sadly missed.
Mr George predeceased Mrs George, in 2020.