Elizabeth “Liz” Day of South Africa, Deputy Chair of Geographical Group IX, international judge in Dressage, Eventing and Para Dressage, and member of the management committee of the South African National Equestrian Federation (SANEF), passed away just before Christmas after losing her courageous battle against cancer. Her many friends will miss her energy, passion, wise advice, tolerant attitude and sense of humour.
Liz was British born but spent most of her adult life in South Africa. An accountant by profession, she connected with horses at an early age and Dressage became her passion. As a rider, she won the KZN Medium Championships on a Basuto/Thoroughbred pony and recalled this as one of her greatest triumphs.
She was a certified Advanced Level 3 SANEF National Instructor. Her pupils were successful in many disciplines as she always ensured that proper groundwork was established first. But it was judging that she found the most intellectually challenging and a true “character building exercise”. On mistakes made, during her 25 years of judging, she always said, “These happen – just learn from them.” Several years ago, she judged the FEI World Dressage Challenge in Zone 3 and found that one of her most rewarding appointments. She passed her final FEI Level III exams in Denmark only five weeks before she died achieving a lifelong ambition to become the first Level III FEI Dressage judge in Africa.
Liz was a tireless promoter of Para Dressage and became an FEI IV Para Dressage judge. She was a qualified Level II FEI Eventing judge as well.
Liz Day is survived by husband Frank and sons Tim and Nick. The FEI expresses its sincerest condolences to Liz Day’s family, the SANEF and the equestrian community of southern Africa.
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