It is with great sadness that we have learned the passing of Peter Ponsonby.
Our thoughts go out to Faith and daughters Emma, Sarah and Julia.
Funeral arrangements have been posted on RIP.ie HERE
The following was the speech read out at the AGM on 12 March where Peter was presented with a Board Award for the outstanding services he has given not only Eventing Ireland, but the FEI over the years.
Peter Ponsonby or Peter P, as he is known worldwide, was unwilling to be involved with horses but as they say if you can’t beat them join them!
In 1987, his great friend Patrick Kennedy suggested they run a Hunter Trials at Kilcooley! Peter and Faith had only moved into the main house months previously, so it was a big ask!!
This set Peter on a life commitment to building courses which he LOVED doing. It started off with hauling timber from the woods in Kilcooley to the now much used portables!
Peter and Faith ran Kilcooley for 20 years and only on the 20th year they say, they got it right! Peter then turned his attention to Grove, owned by his Uncle Harry and Aunt Rosemary. He retired from Grove in 2016.
Enjoying his course building he turned his attention to EI stewarding in the 90s. As Faith was judging, Peter decided to become an FEI steward and TD – which also meant they could travel together. He loved these roles and has officiated at all the Irish Internationals Ballindenisk, Blarney, Camphire, Kilguilkey ,Millstreet, and Punchestown
His FEI role has seen Peter officiate in Scotland, Germany, America as well as Australia and New Zealand
Peter has made many many friends with competitors and officials alike. He has always given a listening ear to them all but above all he has been fair.
