It came as a great shock to us all to hear of Michael Dewey’s death as a result of a car accident on the 20th of June 1973.
During his short time as Secretary to the British Show Jumping Association, Michael made a great impression, and many of his aims and ideas are now being introduced. Witness to his success must surely be the many obituaries that appeared around the country, from which we have chosen The Times of 21st June.
“Major Michael Dewey, who had been Secretary General of the British Show Jumping Association since January 1971, died in Warwick General Hospital yesterday at the age of 45. He had received head injuries in a motor accident on Tuesday. Dewey, who came from Northern Ireland, was the brother-in-law of Major Eddie Boylan, who won the European Three Day Event Championship at Punchestown, Co. Kildare, in 1967 on Durlas Eik.
Educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst he went to the B.S.J.A. from the Queen’s Own Hussars.
In his two and a half years with the Association, he gained respect for his organising ability from those connected with the sport, as well as the confidence of the riders, to whom he was readily approachable and willing to listen to their problems. He was also able to stand by his guns when the occasion demanded.
He made his first trip abroad with the British team as chef d’equipe to Rome in April. It was to have been the first of a series of similar missions to build up a relationship with international officials and riders. Sadly, a civilian career which started with such promise should have ended so precipitately.
Dewey leaves a wife, a son and two daughters.”
