Friends of showing owner and horse transporter Dave Slatter say they are “in shock” following the news that he took his own life on 27 February.
Dave, who was 54, was a familiar and popular figure on the show circuit.
He owned the working hunter Kenlis Countryman, ridden by Rory Gilsenan, and co-owned the Royal International 2010 Pretty Polly show pony and 2012 TopSpec £1,000 champion Oldcourt Charlotte.
Rory Gilsenan said: “Dave lived for the shows. We will all miss him terribly.”
Dave’s funeral takes place on Friday, 15 March at Banbury Crematorium, OX16 1ST.
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (14 March 2013)