This time last year I said how honoured I felt to be elected as President. Wearing the chain of office at events during the year and reading all the names of the Past Presidents engraved on it really did bring home to me the full realisation of that great honour.
It has been a year of enjoyable events and I would like to thank Council members, horse owners and Society members for making that possible for me, but also the volunteers who are always ready and willing to help. These events do not just happen and I have seen when attending Committee meetings just how much work goes on behind the scenes in preparing for different occasions and competitions. The weather of course always helps or hinders. This was the case with the end of season Autumn working event John Latham was hosting, which after all the planning had to be cancelled after persistent heavy rain made using the land difficult. Our Suffolk horse pre–decessors must have encountered that more than once when planning a day’s farm work! All of the Committees appointed by the Council do a great deal of work in order to present the relevant facts in assisting the Council not just in planning special events and fund raising, but very importantly in carrying out the breed Society’s core work in supporting breeders and horse owners in order to meet our objects and maintain our stud book. To those who Chair Committees and to those who sit on them – thank you.
They are supported by the Society’s office staffed by Belinda Rudderham, who is already known to you, and by Liz Pardey whom we welcomed this year. Thank you both. I would also like to say “Thank you” on behalf of the members to the Society’s Chairman Sue Wager who has been kept very busy with Council work, but also with her additional and very important role as Stud Book Co-ordinator ensuring that the records and entries are kept in order. And also “Thank you” to our Vice Chairman and Company Secretary Gail Sprake who has kept the Council well informed of all the rules and regulations, been involved in very many extra tasks, but especially in running a very successful fund raising Auction at the annual Dinner. Finally: on a personal note I would like to thank Philip and the family very much for their support during the year.