Gloucestershire farmer Bill Bush, who with Jim Mahon was among founders of the Point-to-Point Owners’ & Riders’ Association, has died at the age of 98.
Bush took up hunting and point-to-pointing after World War II, and later, with his wife Jeanne – who had ridden in a handful of point-to-points – raised three children, Nick, Sally and Steve. They all became involved in pointing and won races on his horses, one of the best being Castle Combe, who Bill and Nick won hunters’ chases on in the same season.
It took Bill longer to win the Beaufort Members’ Race, but after eight seconds and two thirds he finally won it in a blizzard, weighing out at 12st 7lb and weighing in, soaked to the skin, at 13st 10lb. On another occasion Bill and his sons rode in the members’ race, with Nick winning, Bill second and Steve unplaced.
Bill Bush comes in on Castle Coombe after winning at Worcester in 1969
Bill had two stints as secretary of the Beaufort Hunt – from 1975 to 1990 and 1992 to 1995 – and was chairman of the West Midlands Point-to-Point Association for many years. In 1977, after a plan came to fruition at the national dinner and awards ceremony, he joined Jim Mahon and a group of like-minded point-to-point enthusiasts in creating the Point-to-Point Owners’ Association, the PPOA, which years later added riders to the people it represented and became the PPORA.
Sue Exell, who had become Bill’s partner, was the first secretary of the Owners’ Association, and the couple were on the PPOA committee which in 1993 instigated Britain’s first Sunday meeting in any form of racing. Held without betting, it took place at Ashorne in Warwickshire.
A keen gardener, Bill won many prizes at local shows and was very generous to his neighbours with gifts of flowers and vegetables. He attended an occasional point-to-point well into his 90s.
Predeceased by his daughter, Bill leaves sons Nick – who is a steward in the West Mercian area – and Steve. Three of his grandchildren rode in races.
A service of thanksgiving will take place at St James Church, West Littleton, SN14 8JE, this coming Friday (October 21) at 2pm.