HOYS stalwart dies aged 83

Bob Templeton, former husband of showing supremo Julie Templeton, died last week (21 April) in his sleep at the age of 83.

Julie told H&H that Bob was “a true gentleman and talented stocks man”.

“Even after we split we remained friends and I will cherish the many fond memories of us starting out together in showing, experiencing the highs and the lows,” she said.

“Showing has lost a remarkable character, but he will never be forgotten for his contribution to the industry and the charm he brought to it personally.”

A spokesman for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) said that the “showing world has lost an elder statesman and one of the most successful producers of all time”.

The Templetons used to sponsor the supreme in-hand championship at HOYS (pictured, holding trophy), and many of their ponies won prestigious titles there, including show pony, show hunter pony, mini show pony and mini mountain & moorland of the year.

His funeral will be at 10am on Friday 2 May at Carleton Crematorium, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, FY6 7QS.

Martha Terry

H&H features editor

Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on dogs of all shapes and sizes. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs, one a street dog from Gambia who was abandoned at three weeks old. Now, her constant companion, whether by her feet at her desk or walking cross-country courses, is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.