Bel was a passionate equestrian having bred and produced many of her own horses. She enjoyed a successful eventing career taking Abbo Blazey from Intro (now known as BE90) up to Novice level between 2000 and 2004 and then starting Sammy Randall as a four-year-old in 2008 progressing him from BE90 up to Open Novice and CIC1* (now known as CCI2*-Short) over 11 seasons acquiring 17 points along the way. Bel had also ridden to BD Medium level and competed regularly with BS.

Bel’s involvement with horse trials was not limited to riding; she contacted Ann and Bill Allen to ask if she could help with their entries, and from there began training as a BE Scorer in 2004. Bel completed her training under the careful direction of Jacquie Mason, Ann Allen and Wendy Evans graduating to complete her first set of times solo for Brockenhurst Park in 2006. Bel went on to become a highly competent and reliable BE Official and scored many BE events including Blenheim Palace, Barbury, Houghton, Aston-Le-Walls, Gatcombe, Broadway, Keysoe, Swalcliffe (to name but a few!) and was certainly a well-known and respected face in the scoring cabins of the Central-West Region and throughout Great Britain.

Bel lived near Chipping Norton in the heart of the Cotswolds with her husband Guy and three dogs, Bob, Harry and Percy and many other animals. Bel and Guy enjoyed a very special marriage of nearly 38 years, during which time she and Guy supported and encouraged each other’s interests.

Bel was close to her two nieces Holly and Ellie.  Although Holly isn’t involved with horses but instead is a very creative artist which Bel took a very keen interest in and invited many of her friends to impromptu pottery classes and such like.  Ellie shared her passion for horses, and chose the racing industry for her own career; Bel was always keen to hear how she was progressing and when she was going to ride in her next race.

Bel was full of life, always had a smile on her face and was known for dressing up for a day’s scoring, sometimes in a cocktail dress! Bel was a loyal, courageous and wonderful person who had many friends and she will be greatly missed by the Eventing community. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.