Posted on 7th December 2020
The ABRS has learned with sadness of the recent passing of Sheila Meggison, co-proprietor of Ragwood Riding Centre and a previous long-standing member of the Association’s Executive Committee.
Sheila’s passion for horses and teaching people to ride go back as far she could remember, obtaining her equestrian qualifications in her teens. In 1968 she founded the Essex Union South Pony Club and also became involved with the local riding club. Sheila first became a member of the ABRS in the late 1970’s.
Sheila and her family founded Ragwood in 1981 and it was in that same year that sadly Sheila’s husband passed away suddenly, leaving Sheila and her daughter, Chris to work hard to secure their future. Chris recalls how Sheila spent many hours teaching whilst she, Chris ran the yard and despite Sheila’s long working hours she continued to support Chris in her hunting and competing.
In 1995 Sheila joined the ABRS Executive Committee and shortly afterwards was invited to join the Association’s Advisory Committee, as well as the sub-committees for examinations and approvals. At our annual conferences and AGMs Sheila would always be seen manning the ABRS bookstand and her great loyalty and support of the Association’s work was also seen in the way she promoted our Tests at her school.
‘Extremely kind and approachable, the voice of calm and reason, a smile that could light up the room’ are just some of the ways Sheila has been described and it therefore followed that she was immensely popular with those she came into contact, being known affectionately as “Mrs Meg”. When Chris visited our member schools to inspect, invariably she would be greeted with an enquiry as to how Sheila was, very often followed by a comment about what a super person she was.
We mourn Sheila’s passing and all of us in the ABRS send our warm wishes and condolences to Chris and Al at this difficult time.
