Paying tribute to the local countryman with a heart of gold - Jo Foster

Memories of the treasured times we are leaving behind return like a rediscovered epitaph.

Earlier this week I was saddened to hear about the passing of a local countryman and hunting character. Dave Horton from Gargrave was a man with a heart of gold and a voice that could guide a steamship home safely on the foggiest of nights.

He was head groom to the Pendle Master, Michael Bannister at Coniston Cold, for 34 years after arriving from the army. There he helped three generations of the family enjoy their riding careers. Assisting grandchildren as they graduated up the ranks from pony club to point to point field.

Dave helped me with my first point to point horse, Polar Hat, a purchase made from Martin Pipe. At the time I was dating Tom, Michael’s son, so my pointer was kept with Dave for a few months where I could learn the art of race riding and training thoroughbreds.

This also proved a useful way to pacify my parents, who hoped his guidance may get me through a season without the need of a wheelchair, which they suspected anyone mad enough to become involved in race riding would require at some point (they weren’t wrong).

I remember sitting on the stone wall behind Tom’s house at Bell Busk as Dave and Tom practised pulling me off via a pair of reins. It was 1993 when learning how to fall off safely was still done the hard way in northern parts. A far cry from the racing college equicisor lessons with soft play mat landings used today. Michael Bannister would watch from the sidelines, providing enthusiastic instruction.

“No. No. Not like that,” he would explain in a gentlemanly tone. “Gosh. You really are going to make a mess of that pretty face if you don’t learn to roll properly.”

Dave always embraced village life. Every year he starred as the Dame in the Gargrave pantomime. He loved making people laugh and was a natural at entertaining children. Many times I’ve watched a child’s teary face light up with laughter through his engaging humour.

I’m not sure if he even realised the impact he had on shaping the future of so many youngsters. Their love of the countryside today spurred on by the kind, jolly encouragement Dave Horton provided them with during their years sat on a pony. A time when one special day can change the course of a child’s direction in life. I will always remember his wide smile, generous heart, and encour-agingly jovial voice.