The ‘ultimate showman’ and gentleman: Robert Oliver dies aged 80

TRIBUTES have flooded in for the “ultimate showman” Robert Oliver, who has died at the age of 80.

In his seven-decade career, Robert won and was champion in every category of horse class at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) numerous times, and his animals have stood supreme multiple times at both shows.

Born in Herefordshire to non-horsey parents, his uncle, farrier William John Watts, encouraged Robert to ride, and he started showing on ponies for the Eckleys at Cusop Stud.

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Article written by: Eleanor Jones