News

Wednesday 22 November 2006

International show jumper to receive University honour

International show jumper Tim Stockdale is to receive an honorary degree from Nottingham Trent University in recognition of his major contribution to the equine world. Tim will be presented with the Honorary Degree of Master of Science during the University’s award ceremonies at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall on Saturday, November 25.

Nottinghamshire-born Tim has represented Great Britain 35 times on Nations Cup teams and was selected for the World Equestrian Games in 2002. In addition to his significant success as a show jumper, Tim has also helped to raise the profile of the sport through numerous media appearances.

The honour reinforces Tim’s strong links with the University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences and its equine-related courses. He has shared his expertise and experience with students via industrial placements and has also contributed to the School’s renowned programme of lectures and demonstrations.

Tim said: “It is an immense privilege to be awarded an honorary degree by Nottingham Trent University, in my home county. This is where my career began and I am proud to have maintained an association with the University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences. This honour consolidates that productive relationship in a very special way and I am grateful to have been chosen. I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards the honorary degree so clearly represents.”

Professor Jenny Saint, Dean of the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, said: "I am delighted that such a distinguished figure as Tim will be part of this year's award ceremonies. He is a terrific ambassador for the equine industry and it is fitting that we are able to honour him in this way."

 
ENDS

Notes to Editors:
Tim embarked on the road to international honours at the age of seven, when his riding talents were first spotted at Nottinghamshire’s Grove Pony Club. On leaving school he went straight to work with horses at Mike Saywell’s yard in Retford, and then seized the opportunity to work as second jockey to acclaimed rider Graham Fletcher.

He gained further experience by working and training under John Taylor and Lutz Meyerding before setting out on his own in 1990 at a yard with six horses. His major breakthrough came two years earlier when he won a major competition at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on his horse, Supermarket.

More success followed, and in 1993 Tim was selected for the British team which beat the rest of the world in the Nations Cup event in Hungary. Stockdale-trained horses like The Frog, Mighty, McGuigan, Santa’s Echo, Interview, Glenwood Springs and Wiston Bridget becoming star performers in the top show rings of Britain and Continental Europe.

Now running his own yard in Northamptonshire, Tim has also risen to fame through significant media appearances.  He was the subject of a Channel Four documentary on showjumping, featured in the Faking It show and, most recently, raised substantial sums for Sport Relief via the Only Fools On Horses celebrity challenge.

A board member of the British Show Jumping Association (BSJA), Tim regularly delivers private tuition and training clinics and is much in demand as an after dinner speaker.

For more information please contact Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email.