The British Show Jumping Association (BSJA) last week elected John Jacks as its new chairman, when Peter Gillespie (pictured), who has headed the executive board for two years, chose not to stand for re-election.
John, who lives near Norwich and was operations manager for Dutch national airline KLM until taking early retirement, is a lifelongsupporter of show jumping.
A respected trainer and judge, he is currently BSJA Region E representative, which covers the East of England. He has been a member of several BSJA committees for six years and was elected unopposed.
He said: “Becoming chairman of the BSJA was never something I worked towards, but I do consider it an honour and will carry it out to the best of my ability.”
John will be assisted by pony committee chairman Clare Whitaker, who was elected vice-chairman.
“We should make a good team. Up to now, my involvement with the sport has been mainly at the grassroots level, while Clare has a great understanding of the international scene,” says John.
Peter Gillespie remains on the board, but, as he puts it, as “a backbencher”.
Stoneleigh also sees another change. Pony team chef d’equipe Katrina Moore takes over from John Lanni as chairman of training.
The BSJA underwent turbulent times last year when chief executive JackyWood was suspended from her post after the organisation’s general purpose and finance committee became concerned about apparent irregularities in accounting procedures.
The situation was later resolved and Mrs Wood reinstated, with the BSJA board promising to review office systems and ensure that it is fully accountable to its members.
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