Announcer Brian O’Connor was kind enough to send us a few reflections on the passings of fellow announcers and eventing legends Dick Thompson and Jim Ligon this week.
—-
Photo by Samantha
From Brian:
The Eventing Nation has lost two great men this week…Dick Thompson and Jim Ligon…both terrific guys, great supporters of equestrian sports, and, most notably, both announcers for eventing. We have a very small group of professional announcers, both men and women, and to lose two so close together is a great loss. Both of these guys were very good at what they did and what they brought to our sport(s).
Dick, as mentioned in a previous post here on EN, was a loyal and avid owner for Karen, and was instrumental in making the Radnor 3 Day and the Atlanta Olympic Games the great successes they were. He announced many events up and down the East Coast for many years and was a great character in Area II.
Jim Ligon, who comes from one of the best and strongest Pony Club families that has EVER been, was a great announcer, a past President of Pony Club, was the founder of the President’s Cup for Pony Club Games….competitions both held at Rolex and Fair Hill CCI weekends. Both of these men were close friends of mine (and so many others) and to not let you know how much we will all miss them would be a mistake on my part. These guys were good…and proud of it. I am very pleased and proud to be part of the profession that they exemplified and also of their commitment to making it right. God speed to both of you. You guys were “clear over the last and inside the time…double clear.” All the best and God Bless.
