News

In memoriam: Tim Holderness-Roddam and Julie Newell

Monday, 19 April 2021

It is with great sadness that British Equestrian announces the passing of two leading figures in the equestrian industry, Tim Holderness-Roddam and Julie Newell.

Tim Holderness-Roddam 1942 - 2021

Tim was a passionate and knowledgeable advocate of eventing for many years. He gave his time freely to support, advise and promote the sport, including roles with British Eventing, British Equestrian, The Horse Trials Support Group and both Blenheim and Burghley Horse Trials. In 2010 Tim was presented with the British Equestrian Federation Medal of Honour in recognition of his outstanding achievement and contribution to the international equestrian world.

Tim was educated at Radley College, followed by military service in the King’s Royal Hussars. His successful 30-year career at Tate & Lyle plc (UM Group) culminated in the role of MD of the United Molasses Group, where he was responsible for the worldwide trading, storage and distribution business.

Since retiring from the City in 2000, Tim held a number of consultancy and non-executive roles, including senior consultant to Bristol Port Company, which handles much of the import/export trade for the west of England and a consultant to and former director of Abercrombie & Kent, the luxury and tailor-made travel business.

Tim’s equestrian roles include; Chair of the British Equestrian Federation Fund, which he was involved with for nearly 20 years, Chair of Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, former Chair of The Horse Trials Support Group (HTSG), Director and former Chair of the Finance Committee of British Eventing.

More recently he has been involved as a Director of British Equestrian, a member of the British Eventing Finance and Commercial Committee and a member of the Burghley Horse Trials Committee.

Tim was married to Equestrian Olympic Gold Medallist and current British Eventing President, Jane Holderness-Roddam. Together they own West Kington Farms and Stud in Wiltshire, specialising in breeding top competition horses.

Julie Newell 1958 - 2021

Julie has been an anchor of vaulting in the UK for more than thirty years, being part of the original team that set up BEV when it split off from the BHS. Julie gained her BEV Fellowship in 2014.

Julie was introduced to vaulting by Kathryn Townsend from a chance meeting, following a demo at a North Warwickshire Pony Club Camp, where she was with her children Emma and John. She was immediately hooked and with the support of Kathryn set up Warwick Vaulting Group in 1991 which developed into the English Vaulting Squad (EVS) in 2000 and she vaulted ever since. She was a familiar face on the UK and International vaulting circuit going to nearly every World and European Championships from 1998 onwards with both British vaulters and also lending horses to international vaulters from around the world.

Julie won every national title in almost all classes at British Championships over the years with many vaulters. At the last count Julie had trained more than 25 vaulting horses with ginger ponies being a particular speciality.

Julie has touched the lives of many people both young and old through her involvement with vaulting, she was a wonderful coach and friend to many and will be much missed. She wouldn’t want a fuss, she would want us all to follow her motto of laugh, learn and live and be the best we can be to support the sport of vaulting which she so loved.

British Equestrian Chairman Malcolm Wharton commented; “On behalf of all of us at British Equestrian, I’d like to extend our sincere condolences to both Tim and Julie’s family and those close to them. Both were vital members of the equestrian community and their loss will leave a huge void.

“Tim was a pillar of strength in the equestrian community, and we are truly grateful for the time he selflessly dedicated to a number of roles over many years.  His vision, knowledge and financial acumen provided guidance to so many and we’ll miss him as a valued colleague. To Julie, we will be forever grateful for her unstinting work to bringing vaulting to so many young people, generosity to help them achieve their dreams and expertise as a coach and lunger. She was such a character who lit up a room and will be missed by so many.”

Thank you to British Eventing and British Equestrian Vaulting for their words.

Julie Newell photo with kind permission form Paul Ruffle.