OBITUARIES
NIC WHEELER
MR WHEELER died on 3 April, while out with the Coakham Bloodhounds, of which he was senior master and huntsman, aged 69.
As a child, Mr Wheeler learnt to ride at Beauport Park Riding School in Hastings before getting his first pony Magpie. Magpie lived in the garage and Mr Wheeler and his sister Jane used to ride on the beach. While he was at school, he hunted with the Blean Beagles. He went to the East Essex Hunt in 1973, then the West Kent in 1976, where he was in hunt service.
He became a member of the Coakham in 1989 and took over as huntsman in 1990, remaining so until he died. That year was the beginning of his greatest achievement, the breeding and schooling of the most magnificent pack of bloodhounds.
Mr Wheeler was a consummate horseman. He competed successfully at Burghley Horse Trials and was a leading point-topoint jockey in his day. He would often boast that the most he had ever paid for a huntsman’s horse was lunch for four in the local pub, and he once bought a horse for a pound. Exceptionally elegant on his horse, his picture was featured in Horse & Hound as an exemplar for the perfect position over a jump. That said, he was never heard to demean anyone else’s ability and he was fond of saying, “Remember you hunt for your own enjoyment and not for the astonishment of others.”
It was not always sunshine and laughter; when the pressure of hunting bloodhounds through a wood bristling with deer fell heavy on his shoulders, he could let loose a stream of colourful invective in order to galvanise action. However, the day always ended with his familiar catchphrase, “Well done, everybody, well done!” directed to his adoring hounds.
In later years, Mr Wheeler mellowed considerably. He had a wicked sense of humour, a twinkly eye, and a penchant for slightly dubious jokes.
It is pleasing to know he died doing what he loved and, by all accounts, he probably never even knew the end had come. There are some wonderful pictures of him laughing and smiling minutes before it happened so although those who knew him are sad, he died a happy man.
The thoughts of all of the hunt’s followers, past and present, are with his stalwart wife, Sue, who supported him in all he did.
Rest in peace, Nic Wheeler. “Well done, everybody, well done!”
JOHN NASH
THE true gentleman and exceptional horseman died on 1 April, aged 89.
Mr Nash was introduced to horses at an early age. Buying and selling with his father at the local sales, he would back or school whatever came back with them. Thus began his lifelong passion.
Horses were his life and with the birth of his children Sylvia and David came the chance to introduce them to his hobby. They both had great results in lead-rein classes to county level. Most notably for them was the pony Wren Of Treeyews. During this time Mr Nash began showing in-hand and judging at local shows.
When his grandchildren
Michael and Laura came along they too enjoyed great success in showing. A 13hh pony, Brackenridge Magistrate, ridden by Michael, won many classes. Best of them was the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) All British championship, a win at the Royal International (RIHS) and a second at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
Mr Nash’s judging career spanned from stewarding and judging local shows to judging at the Three Counties, RIHS, BSPS championships and HOYS. He was always happy to help in any way he could and well known for his patience and kindness, especially with nervous jockeys and horses.
He was chairman and organiser of Kings Heath Horse Show, one of the largest shows remaining in the Birmingham area. He was an advocate for Sue Pike Equine and Animal Rescue, regularly working with the animals. He also managed to find time to become the BSPS Area 6 chairman, working tirelessly for many years. His hard work paid off in 2010 when he was given the BSPS lifetime achievement award. This was a very proud moment for him and his family.
Mr Nash’s family thanked everyone in the community for “all the good times, experiences and fun shared over the years”.
“Horses were his life from a young age and he would want to say thank you for it all. He was truly grateful for all the happy memories and was very proud of all of his family’s achievements as his family are of his,” they said.
Mr Nash was predeceased by his wife Edna. He is survived by Sylvia and David, and grandchildren Michael and Laura.