JOHN FOX - RETIREMENT
Thursday 09 March 2023
After 18 years of working at the Northern Jump Store, John Fox has retired following the closure of the Jump Store.
I am sure many of you will know John personally and will have worked with John through the Jump Store over the years.
John has been a member of British Showjumping for nearly 40 years and first got involved with Scottish Showjumping in the year 1979. John helped John Ormiston run the Scottish Branch show at Strathclyde Park and they have been great friends ever since.
John became a British Showjumping Course Designer in 1982 and he built, mainly at Junior Shows until 2003. Many riders have commented on what a fantastic Course Designer John was.
Alongside his late wife Liz Fox, John organised training nights for Juniors from 2002 – 2006. They were both an encyclopedia of knowledge for the ponies jumping UK wide at the time.
A sponsor at the Royal Highland Show since 2006, John sponsors The Liz Fox JC/JD RHS Championship in memory of his wife.
Scottish Branch opened the Jump Store on 2nd October 1995 and John Ormiston was depot manager from that date until 31st December 2003. John Fox took over on 1st January 2004 until now. The Jump Store started in a small shed but took over the full yard on 16th February 1999.
John was always very hands on and built sets of fences for sale, maintained the existing jumps and Championship sets and ensured all the timing and equipment was in good working order. He was always at the end of the phone ready to take any orders or hires and was a pleasure to work with.
It is the end of an era, not only the Northern Jump Store closing but John retiring after his many years of commitment to Scottish Showjumping.
John was presented at the Scottish AGM on Monday 6th March 2023 with a gorgeous bronze statue, a framed photo of him presenting the winner of the Liz Fox JC/JD at the Royal Highland Show and a thank you rosette.
British Showjumping would like to thank John for all his dedication and commitment to the sport over the years and wish him all the best in his retirement.
Thank you John.
