Bill Allen at Borde Hill Horse Trials ~ Photo by Tony Warr
On Saturday April 4th the sport of eventing lost one of its great supporters and personalities, Bill Allen. My first thought was for his wife Ann, and his family as I know how close they all are.
I couldn’t help it but I cried. For me Bill was special, as a friend and a colleague. Without Bill, I would never have got Borde Hill Horse Trials back onto the calendar. As my co-organiser, Bill taught me everything I know about running a horse trials, and helped assemble a first class team to put on the event. For many Bill was a first-class starter, and the joint-organiser of the successful Purston Horse Trials, but he could turn his hand to almost everything. But most important thing I learnt was that the organiser was responsible for chucking out the rubbish bags.
Bill Allen at Borde Hill Horse Trials with BE Steward Nicky Salmon (centre), Johnny Hill and Roland Clarke (right). Photo by Tony Warr.
There have been so many tributes to him, and they all say, “how helpful and supportive of many events and people he was”. That he was “such a hard working lovely man, always with a joke and a smile and will be SO missed”. We “will miss his cheerful banter and big smile!”
Of course for me Borde Hill Horse Trials wasn’t the beginning as I already knew Bill. He was one of the linchpins at so many events that I attended, initially as a journalist, and then as co-ordinator of the South East Eventers League. In fact the SEEL organisers made sure to honour Bill & Ann for their crucial work ‘behind the scenes’, by presenting them with the Seahorse Achievement Award in 1998. And, of course, Ann was an integral part of the partnership – and of any event she scored or helped at.
The Seahorse Achievement Award
Bill continued to support me as life got harder because of my multiple sclerosis, making sure that provision was always made for my disability. He ensured, with the two main sponsors Johnny Hill and Bill Kear, that I had a mobility scooter to continue going to events. However, MS eventually took its toll and I had to give up as co-organiser at Borde Hill, but although he too stood down, Bill Allen still helped the new team.
As my MS got worse, I went to fewer events, but tried to go to at least one Borde Hill event each year. And one of the first people to greet me was Bill Allen, even if he was busy doing things to keep the event running smoothly. Sadly, 2013 was the last time I went to the Horse Trials at Borde Hill, as we moved to Wales in 2014. So that was the last time that I saw Bill & Ann Allen.
So I wasn’t aware that he had cancer, or that during Tweseldown Horse Trials in March, Ann was visiting him in hospital ever evening, after working at the event.
Eventing has lost a great supporter and friend. I just feel devastated. My love and condolences to Ann and to all his family.
R.I.P Bill Allen, a great heart and a generous man.
Photo by Tony Warr
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R.I.P Bill Allen, a great heart and a modest man.
Writing Wings 
Reblogged this on THE DUSKWEALD and commented:
Bill Allen was indeed a great person. Both he and his wonderful wife Ann always treated me as a long time friend. He will be missed greatly. R.I.P. Bill
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a lovely tribute Roland – thank you
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It was hard to find the right words – thank you.
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It really is hard to lose a good friend like Bill Allen, Roland. The memories you have of him will stay with you forever, warming, cheering and comforting you as the days and weeks pass by. Thanks for sharing your tribute.
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Many thanks George, for those warm words. He was a special man and a good friend.
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Keeping you, your friend and his family in my prayer. Even though we know death is an illusion, it is still so hard to lose a treasured friend. I know your Light of love and friendship will reach him in Spirit and he will be in touch with uou. Thanks for sharing your tribute to him so I could get a fuller picture of his kindness towards you and his importance in your biography. Love to your Juanita as well.
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Many thanks Joann, Love from us.
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I am Ann’s cousin in Canada. I am so shocked and saddened to learn that Bill passed away from Cancer. I grieve for Ann, Sandra and Louise. Across the pond I feel I should have kept in touch more and made a trip to the UK to see family again. I do regret this terribly. Your tribute to Bill is wonderful and Bless you for this 🙂 Thankyou for your friendship and I beleive “Heaven Has Gained An Angel”. RIP in Bill.
Marie Louis
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
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I am so glad that you found this and were able to contact the family. When I lived in Canada – Montreal – I visited Calgary in a trip across country. Good memories.
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Yes, thankyou so much 🙂 Ann said the flowers were lovely that I ordered!! Glad that you got to visit ‘cowtown’.
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A wonderful tribute to your friend who is a part of all you have become. Let Light Perpetual Shine Upon Him.
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Thank you Stepheny. I was pleased to share this. The tribute even got picked up by others in the sport, as he meant so much to so many.
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