SPECTATORS at the Irish Draught classes at Balmoral Show next week will lack a great character in Dorothy Ellen Walton, “a woman of great strength, boundless energy and an infectious sense of humour”, as described by her daughter, Romney, in hers and brother Vic’s eulogy at Ellen’s funeral service.
Dublin Horse Show, Horse Sport Ireland stallion inspections... essentially anywhere there was an Irish Draught gathering in Ireland, Ellen was there. She attended the annual inspections at Cavan since they started there in 2010, in the company of constant travel companions Sue Benson, Lucinda Starling and Sarah Ramsden.
“Everyone knows that Mum was passionate about anything equine, but she threw her heart and soul into the Irish Draught horse. She joined the [British] Society in 1980 and gave dedicated service for 45 years. Sue [Benson], a close friend, said when she first met Mum as a newbie she was in awe and a little terrified, but Mum took her under her wing and they have travelled the length and breadth of the UK and Ireland, all in the name of the Irish Draught horse.”
Born on June 20th, 1939, in Weston on Trent, Derbyshire, Ellen grew up on her parents - Vic and Dorothy Evans - Hill Farm. Never one for staying indoors, she found her true joy in horses, loved a good day’s hunting and show jumping and even rode her pony bareback to the end of the lane to catch the school bus, her uniform covered in horsehair.
“Mum’s mare Bessie was her first introduction to the Irish Draught breed. She would tell us the story about how one night after a storm, some cattle became stranded on a raised piece of land in the meadows. As the water surrounding them was chest high, she had the bright idea of riding Bessie bareback in the dark across to the stranded cattle to get them to follow Bessie out to safety. Of course, it worked. Mum was fearless and brave.”
Ellen Walton (left) and Sue Benson rarely missed the Irish Draught classes at Balmoral Show \ Susan Finnerty
Intrepid travels
Ellen’s adventurous spirit took her on travels abroad. Her first visit to Venice was a glimpse into the world beyond Derbyshire that would fuel a lifelong love for travel and what she fondly called her “jollies”.
Iceland, the Soviet Union and Indiana were all on her itineraries. Her Indiana stay, in the American Midwest, was part of the Young Farmers’ international programme and led to her meeting future husband Sam Walton at a Young Farmers’ reunion when the ever-gallant gentleman came to the rescue when Ellen’s car broke down.
“Their love story spanned over 50 years of marriage filled with hard work, dedication, and deep affection,” said Romney.
“Even as a mother, Mum never slowed down. Our cousin Toni remembered her fastening either Vic or I to her front, in a baby carrier, as she tended to the livestock.”
Ellen’s ‘horse mum’ duties included driving Romney to Prince Philip Cup mounted games practice, shows and hunter trials. On the farm, she had the initiative to start breeding poultry and took on several jobs, including night shifts at the poultry factory and as a qualified carer at a home for young adults with learning difficulties.
“Mum never forgot the grassroots of the equestrian world, judging and helping at Pony Club level, wherever possible.
“Her practical advice never wavered: if we were sick, we’d be asked, ‘Are you sure you’re taking your cod liver oil?’ and ‘Did you put a hat on when you went out?’ She had a solution for everything, and her wisdom was a constant source of comfort.”
Nicknamed Super Granny Ellen, she paid frequent visits to Abu Dhabi to visit Romney, her husband David and granddaughters, Sophie and Phoebe.
True Joy: Ellen loved showjumping and hunting as a youngster growing up in Derbyshire \ Romney Anderson
“Mum had many adventures around the Emirates, exploring a very different culture to the one she had grown up in. She embraced this new culture with curiosity and enthusiasm. She cherished her visits to the Royal Stables of Sheikh Zayed and was thrilled to be awarded a crystal horse.
“Mum offered kindness and help wherever she could.”
Loyal service
Ellen was on the Irish Draught Horse Society (GB) council for the best part of 30 years before she retired in 2023. A valued member of their inspections panel, she carried out the same role for the Cleveland Bay Society and, in addition to both breed societies, was on the Sport Horse Breeding (GB) and British Show Horse Association judges’ panel, too.
With the help of her ‘tech support’ team of son-in-law David and Mark Titcombe of Holler Marketing, Ellen’s IT skills grew as she started to collate Irish Draught Horse bloodlines, a project that will continue in her honour, thanks to her friends.
Earlier this year, the IDHS(GB) presented Ellen with the David Cosby Trophy, (awarded annually to those who have given exceptional service to the Society), together with a painting they had commissioned in gratitude for her loyal service.
The painting was of Bealagh Blue, the Touch Of The Blues stallion bred by Ellen. She was particularly proud to see his son Ballineen It’s William compete in the Irish Draught stallion and ridden classes at Dublin for Cappa Stud. Bred by Enid Lord, William is now standing in Icarus Park Stud in Australia.
“She loved going to Dublin Horse Show and could always be found plaiting a tail for one of the competitor’s mares or stallions. Mum never kept her knowledge to herself she was generous, sharing and advising with anyone who was interested.
Joy
“On one jolly, when Mum’s friend Caroline Saynor was showing her stallion at Dublin Horse Show, Sue and Mum decided to join her. And jolly it certainly was!”
With the lorry parked in the Old Belvedere Rugby Club grounds, the ladies adjourned there one spare afternoon.
“Out came the wine and cheese as they enjoyed the camaraderie in the sun. Then came the rugby team who were doing a training run around the grounds. The ladies were all a bit merry by this time, and did lots of whoop-whooping as the rugby lads ran past. Needless to say, the team took a different route the next time round!
“Mum embraced many new experiences with enthusiasm: dancing to Guns N’ Roses, silent discos and even starring in TikTok videos created by Sophie and Phoebe. Mum lived life with joy, humour, and a relentless curiosity about the world.”
That joie de vivre was evident on a rainy day at Balmoral where Ellen, a longtime subscriber to The Irish Field and amongst her great friends, modelled the newspaper’s complimentary rain slicker with great aplomb.
The Irish Draught breed owes the likes of Ellen Walton a great debt. Not that this unpretentious character would ever host such expectations. Always gracious and welcoming, she hosted cross-channel visitors attending shows or inspections and was equally generous in sharing her knowledge of the Irish Draught and other breeds.
“Sue [Benson] remembers Mum used to say when they saw something awesome, ‘That is a sort, hard to find,’ and that would be how Sue and her friends would describe Mum: a sort hard to find, a true lady in every sense of the word. Sue and Mum’s friends will miss her,” summed up Romney.
S.F