The National Pony Society was very saddened to learn that Mrs Jennifer Williams of the Pendley stud, passed away peacefully in hospital earlier this week, following a short illness. She was just short of her 91st birthday and had celebrated her 90th birthday party with many friends and family last year.
Jennifer was the founder of the famous Pendley stud, known for breeding many well-known show ponies and hacks over many decades, and whose bloodlines feature in the pedigrees of some of todayโs top horses and ponies. She will be remembered for standing the famous stallions Rosslyn Sandalwood, Pendley Model, Enstone Artist, Ottergayle, Dolphin Superstar and Camargue Tribute โ who was later exported to Australia, along with Pendley Gold Cup.
Jennifer was a deeply knowledgeable and well-respected judge and lifelong supporter of the NPS, serving many terms on its council and being the Societyโs President in 2012. In her younger years, Jennifer was an extremely successful rider of top-class hacks and hunters, and was known for her effortless elegance, both on and off a horse. A true lady, she was the wife of the late Dorian Williams โ known as the voice of showjumping โ and whose recital of the โOde to the Horseโ at the finale of the Horse of the Year Show at Wembley each year, will be remembered by many.
In Jenniferโs passing, the society has lost one of its most ardent supporters and she will be very sadly missed. She is survived by her son Piers and grandchildren Jade, Kai, Seraphina and Toran..
Seraphinaโs career as a successful event rider gave Jennifer so much enjoyment and in Seraphinaโs own words, her grandmother was truly โone in a millionโ.
We pass our sincere condolences to Jenniferโs family and friends at this very sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as we bid goodbye to a talented rider of the old school and a truly committed breeder of top-class stock.
God bless and may you rest in peace.