Liz Finney steps down from duties

Liz Finney steps down from duties

Having been involved in Endurance GB for many years, Liz Finney has decided now’s the time to step down and have a little more time to herself. We thank you Liz for all you’ve done.

Liz Finney, former Chair of EGB, who had many successes on the international scene, has recently stood down from her last formal commitment to EGB. The former Chair of the Cheshire Group, which has benefited from her wisdom and experience for many years at local level, has decided that it’s time to put her feet up and has resigned from the Cheshire committee. Liz has been an integral part of Endurance GB and previous endurance bodies, and almost everyone knows her or has at least heard about her no nonsense, but expert, catering skills or has competed against her when she rode to very high levels.

John Hudson has known Liz for many moons and paid the following tribute to her:

I first met Liz Finney in the 1990s when she was an international rider. I was first coopted onto the BHS Endurance Riding Group committee in 1996 (I think) because they needed a computer person to help them in the ‘Agenda for Change’, which meant moving away from the BHS to form British Endurance Riding Association (BERA). In 1997 Roger Healey stepped down as Chair and Margaret Miller was elected Chair, and Liz Finney as Vice-Chair. Over the Christmas/New Year period, poor Margaret had a heart attack and sadly died, so, Liz Finney suddenly found herself as Chair. She did a fantastic job until 1999 handling some tricky politics that resulted from the breakaway from the BHS.

John succeeded Liz as Chair of BERA in 2000 and was Chair of the newly formed ‘shadow’ board of Endurance GB until we merged BERA and the EHPS into the one organisation. Liz was a huge support to that process.

Liz rode on the British International team and in the '90s they won Gold in Belgium. She was also a hugely successful Chef d'Equipe of the senior squad, leading the team to at least three World Championships and at least two European Championships. John recalls with a wry smile: “I remember in Italy she ticked me off once for not doing my job properly as a crew!”

Liz has been a stalwart ambassador for Endurance GB for many years and will be greatly missed.