Hugh Thomas (equestrian)
Hugh Thomas is the current Director of Badminton Horse Trials, the largest paid-entry sports event in the United Kingdom and the second largest in the world. He used to be Course Designer as well as Director but retired in 2013 from Course Designer. [1] He also competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics, designed the course at the 1988 Summer Olympics, was FEI technical delicate at the 1996 Summer Olympics and was chairman of the British Equestrian Federation for three years.[2][3]
Personal life
Hugh Thomas is the godfather of Zara Philips.[4]
London 2012 Resignation
In June 2012, in protest at the decision by LOCOG to ban spectators from attending the horse inspections in violation of FEI rules, Thomas resigned his position as a member of the ad hoc committee, branding it as "disgraceful".[5][6] He had previously fought to ensure the inspection was open in two previous games with this announcement going viral.[7]
References
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/7657012/Badminton-Horse-Trials-One-Jump-Ahead.html
- ^ http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/competitionnews/391/278523.html
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/equestrianism/9348770/London-2012-Olympics-Zara-Phillips-godfather-resigns-over-Locog-eventing-inspection-row.html
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/equestrianism/9348770/London-2012-Olympics-Zara-Phillips-godfather-resigns-over-Locog-eventing-inspection-row.html
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/jun/22/olympics-2012-equestrian-olympics-2012
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/equestrianism/9348770/London-2012-Olympics-Zara-Phillips-godfather-resigns-over-Locog-eventing-inspection-row.html
- ^ http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/pippacuckson/100025333/london-2012-olympics-thomass-resignation-hightlights-locogs-sloppy-consideration-of-equestrian-tradition/