JOHN and Geraldine Lyttle, who had been spectators on numerous occasions, both acted in an official capacity at last week’s FEI WBFSH eventing world breeding championship for young horses at Le Lion d’Angers.

Delighted to have been invited to judge at this prestigious French fixture for the first time, John was a member of the ground jury for the six-year-old championship alongside the host nation’s Xavier Le Sauce (president) and Britain’s Lizzel Winter.

“It is always an honour to be selected to judge at a championship and Le Lion is very special, both as a venue and in the fact that I enjoy watching young horses develop,” commented Lyttle who previously this year judged in Poland (six times), Germany (four times), France (four times), Italy (twice), Holland, Britain, Sweden and, of course, Ireland.

He is scheduled to be back in France next month, having accepted an invitation to judge at Le Pouget, where he will be president of the CCI3*-L ground jury.

This week, the Co Kildare couple have been in the south of France where Geraldine, following her role as assistant chief steward at Le Lion, is chief steward for the CCI5*-L in Pau. Britain-based Irish native James Rooney is president of the ground jury.

Throughout the year, Geraldine was often assistant or chief steward at many of the events where John was judging, but was also a steward at the European pony championships at Le Mans in late July and for the eventing competition at the world championships in Aachen the following month.