Derrick Watts - tribute to a great trainer.

kerilli

kerilli

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I was so saddened to hear that Derrick had passed away. He was a really great trainer - I was lucky enough to have horses at a yard he visited weekly in the early '90s, and we all benefitted from his brilliant gridwork sessions.
Just loved his little trick of getting you through a grid a few times, getting the horse really jumping, telling you to circle, and then whacking the very last pole up to something massive, which you didn't notice till you were half-way through the grid! It always worked though!
I'll really miss his BE warm-ups, a few simple instructions and then "Feel the difference?" every time... and the amazing thing was, Yes, I could. He was really amazing, and always so positive and encouraging.
R.I.P. Derrick, sincere condolences to those lucky enough to have been close to him. He'll be hugely missed.
 
It says in the H&H report that he was 62, which I find very hard to believe... he looked much younger than that.
taken far too soon.
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I could have got this completely wrong but is this the same Derrick Watts who used to (approx 20years ago) coach our pony club show jumping team and took us to the areas ....description of grids and confidence giving is eerily similar. If it is he was brilliant took me to grade c level from nervy wimp on first horse. V sad if it is likewise condolences also.
 
I saw him few months ago at weston lawns and had a chat he looked poorly then and was telling how he was doing.

Such a great person

RIP
 
Just read the tribute and it is. He really was tremendous gave us all loads of confidence even when on my rather onward bound horse managed somehow to jump a bounce in one, he just calmly said something like he has plenty of ability - so many great memories and saddened that someone with such depth of knowlege is no longer here.
 
I have not been on the forum for a while but I want to contribute to this post by Kerilli.



Derrick was my trainer. I have been devastated for the last few days since hearing he finally gave in to his battle with Cancer.


He was the most wonderful man. A truly gifted and unique trainer. He had the ability to inspire endless enthusiasm in his pupils. His lessons were exciting, educating and thrilling. However, most importantly they were fun.


I had my first lesson with him at the age of 7 and he helped me to produce my pony, New York Skyline, and my Event horse, The Fieldmaster.

I spent much of my childhood enjoying “Derrick Lessons”.
He loved the Fieldmaster, and The Fieldmaster loved him. The Fieldmaster’s ears would prick at the sound of Derrick’s distinctive voice.
Derrick was so dedicated to supporting me and my horse at Events and Showjumping Shows.
He was a master at soothing nerves when warming up for major competitions and always ensured a personal best was produced in the arena when he was present.
He gave us so much confidence and was responsible for developing The Fieldmaster’s fabulous showjumping technique.
Derrick’s input was invaluable in helping me achieve my goals, including representing Great Britain at the Junior European Championships, and competing in a World Cup Qualifier.

So much of what I have achieved with my horses I could not have done without his guidance.


Every tear I shed represents the copious, doting memories I have of this remarkable man.
I sit here writing this whilst I hug the cuddly toy he gave me as a souvenir for the Europeans. I can’t believe he has gone.


He may be gone from this world but he will never, ever be forgotten. In my eyes he will live on through all the words of wisdom he has spoken to so many people.



Rest In Peace Derrick.
You have had such an impact on my life. Thank you.
I miss you terribly.



I love you deeply with all my heart.


Laura Toogood (Your "Lau") & The Fieldmaster (Your "Smarty pants")






Here are two of your favorite pictures - I hope you have a computer in heaven
Fred.jpg


Fred2.jpg
 
Many fond memories of his lessons at Pony Club camp. He was an excellent instructor, who helped me build confidence and rapports with many of my horses and ponies over the years.

He had so much enthusiasm and always made jumping enjoyable. He was brilliant at gridwork.

A very sad loss to the equine community.
 
Derrick - I hope you're sitting up there in heaven with a fag in one hand, looking over your glasses, dishing out a sarcastic comment to a passing angel who isn't quite straight and feeling really, really proud of the legacy you have left behind for all those who knew and loved you.
My daughters would never have got to the Pony Club Championships without you, I shall miss your fun-filled lessons and there simply isn't anyone to replace you. We all owe you so much and thank you for being so giving to the end.
 
Derrick- your lessons were always the highlight of me and my ponies pony club camp week- Even my non horsey mum would turn up armed with fags to watch!! You put the fun back into showjumping for me after I lost my confidence- and got me and my pony from pony club no hopers(!) to british team members. Thank you for giving so much to so many people.
 
This really saddens me to hear this...i can remember having many lessons with Derrick at pony club and i can remember how we all used to look forward to them so much...they were some of the funnest lessons ever had, he was so funny. I remember how he had us all singing the colours of the poles going through grids.
Derrick you will be missed by so many terribly...R.I.P
 
I had just arrived on holiday when I got the text I never wanted to recieve! Utterly utterly gutted

I too like Laura spent some of the best years of my life listening to Derrick....Alop, you have it so right, and thats the memories I will treasure. Sitting at the kitchen table with a drink, fag, ham sandwich telling you so many stories!!

I have so much to thank him for, an entire season with my mare and only one SJ pole down, and the warm up at Blair where we saw people tirelessly jump their horses before the final phase and he made us jump 4 fences! At the time it seemed like madness but when she jumped the last fence clear you knew why he had done it

I was lucky enough to speak to him last weekend for a few minutes, we wanted to go see him but sadly Maurice said he wasnt well enough, we just didnt realise how bad he had got in such a short time

He gave so much to everyone, and we all have so much to thank him for xx RIP Derrick xxx
 
How we shall miss Derrick in the Hipwood family. For the past 13 years he has been so important in keeping my daughter Rose and her horses on the right track and keeping me calm accompanied by our plumes of smoke!! He turned our little horse Huntley into a star even coming 4th at the PC Area SJ when we did not "do" show jumping! He spent an hour one night trying to get him to make a mistake because he said he was such a cocky little b****r! He never did though and even earned the title of God of which we were so very proud. "You've got it" was always one of Derrick's favourite phrases even when they had only jumped a couple of jumps. He had an uncanny knack of being able to assess a horse in five minutes and was a genius at finding the right bits for each horse. Also I have never met a trainer who instilled such confidence in their pupils and managed to make it all such fun.
You will be so missed and were a totally unforgettable character. I can not believe we will not be able to sit in the PC tent at lunchtime laughing and putting the world to right again.
All our love, Derrick, and I hope the cigarettes are cheap up there!
Camilla, Rose and Huntley Hipwood
 
I have been reading the tributes to my cousin Derrick Watts. Like everyone who has written the tributes, I am very sad that he has died so young. He and I shared a birthday 5th March 1946 spent a lot of time together as children and teenagers. He leading the way and me trailing round behind him at Gymkanas, Point to Points and of course Cheltenham races. In those days he had a large Grey called Sky. It is a great comfort to know so many people loved and thought so highly of him. Penny Watts Swaziland. <font color="red"> </font>
 
You'll all be delighted to hear Derrick had the best send-off ever with hundreds of people celebrating his life, many having travelled long distances. And he had the last word. Anyone who knew Derrick will have to agree he was never modest. He chose the music we listened to - Westlife - You raise me up to more than I can be. And that was just perfect because that's what Derrick did - he instilled confidence in horse and rider and made them capable of more than they thought they could do. He arrived in a glass hearse pulled by two stunning horses and the funeral service could not have been more appropriate, with a very moving but honest tribute from a friend which had us laughing at times - just as Derrick did. Maurice did him proud and Derrick's friends did him proud with their support for Maurice.
 
I was very lucky to know Derrick as he was my brother, he was the kind of brother everyone wishes for and once in a lifetime gets.
I was so shocked to hear the news about Derrick, as you all knew he was a very private person and sadly I only got the news a few days before he died.
It's been such a great comfort reading your kind tributes about Derrick, he will be smiling down on all of you!
The funeral is one that Derrick can be proud of thanks to Maurice and close friends.
Derrick will be greatly missed but always loved by all.
R.I.P. My lovely brother I miss you so much, Good Night!
Lynn Ballinger (Watts) Lydney, Glos.
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I would like to thank you all so much for your warm tributes to Derrick. I know he wouldn't have expected so many people to have remembered him so fondly so it lifted my heart in this difficult time to hear from so many of his friends
Derrick had a loud voice as many of you know from lessons with him ,and would usually do the talking for both of us, but now it's left to me to thank all of his friends for giving such a great sendoff.
I hope to contact as many people as possible in the near future to thank them for all the cards,flowers and donations sent to him so If I do miss anyone out it won't be intentionally
Hopefully he's now out there somewhere riding to his hearts content with Minka running beside him
My warmest thanks
Maurice
 
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