Pritchard Humbled by VIP Honour
David Gatwood kept a close guarded secret earlier this month.
Therefore, when it was time to announce this year’s Scone Horse Festival VIP the president knew it was going to be tough.
“(But) I just did not know it was going to be this tough,” an emotional Mr Gatwood announced at the Festival’s opening evening.
“The reason that there is no script is that we would be here all night; his list of achievements, his dedication and his incredible energy is boundless.
“He’s a septuagenarian and he is not slowing down and he is the most humble individual I have ever met.”
All eyes were focussed on Mike Pritchard, one of the four founders of the Scone Festival from 1980.
He was privileged to join the long list of VIPs.
“I am humbled, there is another word for humbled and that is undeserved,” Mr Pritchard said before his proud family and friends.
“I think it easy for me to be on committees, but it is not easy for me to say Leah ‘I have another meeting tonight’ so I must thank my family.
“If you live in a community and you want to make life a little better for yourself and others around you make a commitment to try and improve things.”
Earlier in the evening, Ashley Randle was declared the Young Achiever of the Year while Malcom and Jane Kennedy accepted the Horse of the Year award for Jabell Shekera Spin.
“We have an event that we can be very proud of and I am very pleased that I can make a little contribution to it,” Mr Pritchard concluded.