Birker2020
Well-Known Member
I am sad to announce the passing of Sheila Saunders who worked at Solihull Riding Club for a great many years. Sheila passed away in hospital on June 25th with a long standing lung condition called Farmers Lung.
Sheila worked for a great many years at Solihull riding club as Secretary and Treasurer. Many of you would remember her as the little bubbly lady, with grey hair and a kindly attitude. She was a very hard working and dedicated lady who kept her own horse at a field not far from the club. Sheila had been very active with the riding club over the years, supporting their activities and you would often see her in the judges box judging unaffiliated competitions, or running round the show ground chasing course plans or helping to put the fences up for the next class. She was an extremely likeable lady and had a great many friends that will miss her tremendously. She was always there with a joke and a smile and got on with people on all levels, from the complete novice, to the local top international showjumpers on the circuit.
On a personal level I've know Sheila for about twelve years. She helped me tremendously with my confidence, she was always giving me advice and she came with me to try my previous horse and told me in no uncertain terms to buy him even though I had serious doubts and was convinced she was wrong! I'm so glad I listened to her as Rommy turned into such a lovely horse and a good showjumper. I helped Sheila for two years when the Steve's Catering had their Tuesday evening show jumping competitions and Sheila let me loose on the announcing! Sheila, Margaret Hunt and I would sit in the judges box and in between rounds have a good chinwag and catch up on all the gossip. She introduced me to one of the groundman and twelve years on we are still together! That was the good old days of the riding club and lovely memories. Above all was the complete dedication she showed towards the sport, and all the hard work she would put in to make sure everyone had as good a time as they could whilst they were at Solihull. She was one of the 'original' people who started with the club from when it was formed back in 1948 and helped to mould it into the successful club it was at the time. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that it has never quite been the same without her at the helm!
Sheila's funeral is today at Robin Hood Cemetery, Hall Green, Birmingham at 2.30pm. All her friends past and present are welcome. Drinks afterwards at the Drum and Monkey.
Sheila worked for a great many years at Solihull riding club as Secretary and Treasurer. Many of you would remember her as the little bubbly lady, with grey hair and a kindly attitude. She was a very hard working and dedicated lady who kept her own horse at a field not far from the club. Sheila had been very active with the riding club over the years, supporting their activities and you would often see her in the judges box judging unaffiliated competitions, or running round the show ground chasing course plans or helping to put the fences up for the next class. She was an extremely likeable lady and had a great many friends that will miss her tremendously. She was always there with a joke and a smile and got on with people on all levels, from the complete novice, to the local top international showjumpers on the circuit.
On a personal level I've know Sheila for about twelve years. She helped me tremendously with my confidence, she was always giving me advice and she came with me to try my previous horse and told me in no uncertain terms to buy him even though I had serious doubts and was convinced she was wrong! I'm so glad I listened to her as Rommy turned into such a lovely horse and a good showjumper. I helped Sheila for two years when the Steve's Catering had their Tuesday evening show jumping competitions and Sheila let me loose on the announcing! Sheila, Margaret Hunt and I would sit in the judges box and in between rounds have a good chinwag and catch up on all the gossip. She introduced me to one of the groundman and twelve years on we are still together! That was the good old days of the riding club and lovely memories. Above all was the complete dedication she showed towards the sport, and all the hard work she would put in to make sure everyone had as good a time as they could whilst they were at Solihull. She was one of the 'original' people who started with the club from when it was formed back in 1948 and helped to mould it into the successful club it was at the time. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that it has never quite been the same without her at the helm!
Sheila's funeral is today at Robin Hood Cemetery, Hall Green, Birmingham at 2.30pm. All her friends past and present are welcome. Drinks afterwards at the Drum and Monkey.
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