THE death took place last Monday week of Archie Gibson who was known throughout Northern Ireland and beyond in both racing and equestrian circles, while he also enjoyed fishing, shooting, skiing and golf.

Archie was a really enthusiastic horseman whose equestrian skills were honed at the Brentford Stables in Comber, home of his lifelong friend David Mitchell. His first horse was Peaceful Chance, dam of the very special Chalka.

He hunted with the East Downs, the Tynan & Armaghs and the Iveagh Harriers. He was chairman of the Northern Region of the Irish Horse Trials Society in 1986 and 1987 and also acted as an FEI steward at the Punchestown international horse trials. There, his claim to fame was the legendary mobile bar in the back of his Land Rover from which competitors, friends and other stewards were treated to ‘refreshments’ as he toured the course in pursuit of his duties!

Archie was a highly-respected solicitor with a practice in Armagh City although his love of hunting occasionally took preference over office duties. He also supported these hunts and others through his point-to-point horses who were trained by his brother-in-law, Keith Watson, and also by George Stewart.

He spent a lot of time in Donegal where he and his wife Ann built a lovely house overlooking Portawaud Bay in Portnoo. They spent many a happy hour fishing there from their boat or salmon fishing on the Owenea river.

Archie, who was predeceased by his brothers Thomas and Francis, is survived by Ann and his sister Susan to whom The Irish Field extends its sympathies. Should anyone wish to make a donation in his memory, the beneficiaries will be the Alzheimer’s Society, the R.N.L.I. and the Injured Jockeys’ Association.

L.C.