The celebrated breeder and choose Joanna MacInnes has died aged 88.
Joanna was born Joanna Thompson in Sunderland. Her father was within the navy so the household moved round wherever his posting took them. Jo boarded at Queen Margaret’s Faculty and was evacuated to Fort Howard throughout World Conflict II; she mentioned it appeared very grand having classes within the Nice Corridor.
After faculty she labored for her uncle, Jack Thompson, a racehorse coach, doing his entries and driving out. Racing was her actual true ardour and she or he loved having a share in a hurdling mare with Nicky Richards.
Jo lived in Whalton, Northumberland, the place she started breeding Connemaras and Whalton Stud was established.
In 1968 she married John MacInnes and so they lived at Eden Brows close to Armathwaite. Within the early Seventies they moved to Hazel Cottage, the opposite facet of Armathwaite, relocated the ponies and the Whalton Stud went from energy to energy.
Almost 50 years in the past, Jo was standing Lennel Strolling Minstrel, Sarnau Golden Falcon, Cilwych Frantic after which Java Tiger and Yealand Nemesis. She was a large fan of the English thoroughbred, firmly believing that its bloodlines had been important to breeding high quality hacks, driving horses and youngsters’s driving ponies. She additionally needed to breed animals in a position to pursue a unique profession if required.
Within the late Nineties she purchased a driving pony yearling whose motion had significantly impressed her, the legendary Kilvington Scoundrel, who produced champions on the highest degree – far too many to say. He was main sire at Horse of the 12 months Present and the Nationwide Pony Society for 12 years and continues to be, posthumously.
Jo labored tirelessly for the British Horse Society, successful its highest accolades. She represented the society at many main exhibits, taking a e book stall, which was no imply feat. She labored exhausting on the welfare facet, doing her finest to enhance the lives of horses and ponies.
Jo’s capability to evaluate a very good horse or pony gave her many alternatives to evaluate in any respect the UK’s main exhibits. Her utmost integrity was past query and led her to judging appointments in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Our ideas are with John, daughter Diana, grandchildren Susie and William and stepdaughter Tessa. She shall be very sadly missed.
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