‘A lovely man with vast knowledge’: final farewell to an equestrian who left a significant legacy
Obituary
By Elizabeth Benwell
The towering and immensely popular figure in the equestrian and saddlery trades died on 8 November aged 79.
During 50 years in the industry, Peter served as president of The Society of Master Saddlers (SMS), chairman of the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) and master of The Worshipful Company of Saddlers.
He was a successful equestrian retailer, highly skilled saddler and saddle fitter, a mentor to many apprentices – and a gentleman.
Peter was the proprietor of leading West Country-based retailer Pointings Saddlery. Pointings was originally based in Monmouth Street, Bath, moving to Blathwayt Stables in Lansdown near Bath where it remained for 24 years.
When he closed the shop at the end of 2018, Peter set up saddle-fitting and consultancy service, Peter Lewis Saddles.
Peter was a BETA council member for many years and elected the trade association’s chairman for 2003/4.
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Among his notable achievements was to lead the development of the saddle-fitting course run by BETA and the SMS. He was also an advocate of promoting the BETA logo – and the reliable reputation of its member businesses – to equestrian consumers.
“Peter was a lovely man with a vast knowledge of our industry,” said Claire Williams, executive director of BETA.
“He was a tireless supporter of BETA’s work. During his chairmanship, he endeavoured to make the trade association more relatable and accessible to the riding public. His legacy continues to this day.”
Peter was a highly respected and long-standing member of the SMS. He sat on the executive committee for many years, firstly representing the retail trade, and was elected president in 1988. In later years he served as The Worshipful Company of Saddlers’ representative on the committee.
“Peter was a huge figure in the SMS for many, many years,” said SMS CEO Hazel Morley. “He was a big support to me when I took over the role of CEO from Tony Russell, and everyone on the committee found his steady and reasoned advice of immense value.
“Peter is someone that you always listened to and had the utmost respect for.”
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.