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GELI’S SPEECH AT JONQUIL’S FAREWELL |
Jonquil I would like to spend a few minutes to speak to you (and to all those present) about what you have done for Para Equestrian sport and about what it has meant to us.
I am speaking on behalf of all the para equestrian athletes. And as an athlete (one who has known and worked with you for more than 10 years) I will also be speaking for myself in a very personal way.
It is never easy to talk on occasions like this, particularly in front of so many people (even if they are all friends).
Similarly, change is never easy, as I know only too well. But it does come and is not always bad. For example, you have been a fundamental part of a change process which for many of us has opened up undreamed of opportunities and has helped shape our lives.
You have influenced who we are and what we can aim for.
If I am not mistaken you started working with horses and riders with disabilities in the mid 1960’s. Around the time when I was born.
In any case I do know you started a change process many years ago. One that enabled many of us to achieve things which we might never have been able to even dream about without you.
You had little other than yourself to make your dream a reality. But you did and in so doing enabled many of us to dream and achieve.
You have devoted yourself whole heartedly (and a large part of Bobby too I suspect) as well as your time, energy, money, etc to develop this sport and groom the competitors (and I should add organisers).
It seems to me that you have never deviated from your goal and we, the riders in particular, have gained enormously from your tireless effort on our behalf.
People sometimes speak of us as “role models” But you have been a leader and the role model.
How can we thank you enough? Without you I doubt we would be here. Would there even be an Equestrian event at the Paralympics? Where would most of us be in our personal lives were not for the benefits of working with our horses and the challenges of competing against each other and against our able bodied friends and colleagues?
I have known you since before Atlanta and since then have worked closely with you as the Athletes’ Representative. You have been both friend and foe.
Mostly a very good friend to whom we could turn for help, advice, support and comfort.
Occasionally, on particular issues, you have been a foe. But throughout, and this is most important, I have never doubted for one second that you were on the side of the PE and the riders. More than anyone you were the one to turn to.
You had the dream to develop the sport, you organised the IPEC, you got equestrian recognised and into 4 Paralympic Games, you were instrumental in the move to FEI. No small feat. None of it easy. And all unpaid. Throughout you were always accessible and ready to give or find the information and assistance we needed.
I have to say, I find it almost impossible to imagine what PE will be like without you at the helm. And many of those present agree (I know because we have been talking about it since we arrived in Hong Kong).
It certainly will be different! But I have no doubt that your legacy will remain.
What you started and nourished throughout so many years will continue to grow and the equestrian skills rise even higher.
We will remain your friends and protégés. Now we will be there for you. We will continue, I have no doubt to seek your advice and we will of course continue to meet with you at events and to ride for you.
You I hope will continue to take pride in all you have established and in your riders’ achievements both past and in the future.
So Jonquil, we are not saying goodbye but we are taking this opportunity to say a very, very big thank you.
And just in case you might forget us we thought we should also give you this poster as a reminder of all the good times we have shared together.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 13 November 2008 )
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