The British Show Jumping Association welcomes Essex county showground owner John Holmes to the national executive board
John Holmes, owner of Essex county showground, has been elected to the national executive of the British Show Jumping Association for a three-year term.
Thirteen candidates stood in the poll of national show jumping members.
John Holmes beat several household names to takea seat on the sport’s governing body, including Olympic riders Nick Skelton and Robert Smith. He will attend his first board meeting in January.
Mr Holmes is currently redeveloping Essex showground as a racecourse and state-of-the-art equestrian and leisure facility. Racing should start in 2004, with a limited series of international show jumping events being held on an all-weather arena within the racetrack.
He said: “I take my responsibilities very seriously. I have been able to deliver top quality horse shows to the area; now I am taking up the challenge to influence change at the policy-making end of equestrianism.
“Show jumping, as a national sport, is in the doldrums. Because it is suffering from a lack of horsepower, the British team had its worst ever results at last month’s world championships in Spain, but we can turn it round. Our riders are still the best and we must ensure they get to ride the best horses so that they are once again on top of the world.”
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