FRIENDS and family are mourning the loss of much loved Dales countryman David Horton who has died at the age of 74 following a short illness.

David, who was born in 1945, a ‘townie’ in Gillingham, Kent, had no countryside connections, but went on to spend his life working with horses, beginning with the Army, where he was a member of the British Army showjumping team, then fox hunting, and then point to point steeple racing. He worked for Michael Bannister, owner of the Coniston Hotel and estate, where he looked after the point to point horses, and taught the younger generation to ride.

David retired at 65 from Coniston Hall and the Bannister family, but they were always dear to his heart. He continued to follow the grandchildren racing and was so proud to be at Louise Bannister’s first point to point where she won.

He and his wife, Alison, went to live in Gargrave where he spent many hours watching her ride horses which kept up his interest in the equine community - even though it was in a different area of the sport - dressage.

He also played the dame in Gargrave pantos, was in demand as an MC at weddings, and provided the commentary at Skipton Horse Trials, and at Gargrave and Malham shows.

He continued to love to help the younger generation at Wilkinsons Farm Livery Yard, East Marton, with their riding and took a great pride in ensuring that not only were they safe but they were on the right path from the beginning.

It was always easy for them to hear him with that usual booming voice. He thought he was still training pointers when he took Alison with her last horse Johnny up the field at Wilkinsons - ensuring that she put in enough canter work.

In the last two years, he did manage to watch Johnny’s new jockey, Emma Wilkinson start their successful eventing career and was so proud of what they have already achieved.

David loved his gardening and took pride in keeping his geraniums from at least 30 years ago and they are still flowering. He was always smartly dressed and even near the end wouldn’t go out without cleaning his shoes. He was also determined to go out last Thursday for the clap for the NHS and walked round the corner with his bucket and spoon to make the loudest noise.