Tributes paid to top Northallerton showjumper David Barker

David was born at his grandparents’ home in Northallerton in 1943, in the middle of the Second World War.

He was the second of four children who all rode, sharing two Shetland ponies Isabel and Rosie.

David’s younger brother William remembers happy times they spent hacking through Thornton le Moor when they were aged just nine and six respectively.

The family recalls one time William returned home without David, and when asked where his older brother was, William replied "having a sleep in the road" as David had actually fallen off his pony and knocked himself out.

David Barker of Northallerton was a successful showjumper

David, whose grandfather William founded the renowned Barker’s of Northallerton in 1882, attended schools in Northallerton and Thornton le Moor before being sent to a Harrogate boarding school.

He rode throughout his childhood and teenage years and his talent for the sport was apparent from an early age.

He achieved success all the way through pony events, jumping at The Horse of The Year Show in 1957 and winning the leading showjumper title in 1960 aged just 17.

He went on to win a number of classes at The Horse of the Year Show including the Puissance with Lucky Sam, equal with the Irish legend Seamus Hayes on his horse Goodbye.

In 1964 David was picked for the Tokyo Olympic Games with his chestnut gelding North Riding along with GB teammates Peter Robeson, David Broome and his brother William as travelling reserve.

All these years later, David Broome made the long trip from Wales to attend David’s funeral at St Andrew's Church in South Otterington on Tuesday.

David Barker of Northallerton was a successful showjumper

In 1967, David met his wife-to-be and fellow showjumper Lynne Smith – although his invitation to take her on a trip to Cornwall turned out to be a somewhat unromantic errand of delivering a prize bull of his uncle’s in a cattle wagon with no heater during a chilly February.

The trip was obviously a success as the next year, in December 18, 1968, the pair got married and settled in Northallerton.

They went on to have four children; Ian, Victoria, Phillip and Paul who all followed in their father’s showjumping footsteps for a time.

Ian and Paul carried on the family tradition for the longest; Ian went to the junior Europeans and enjoyed years of success.

And Paul Barker is one of the most prolific British winners over the past two decades.

David Barker of Northallerton was a successful showjumper

Ian also followed the family’s shopkeeping tradition and is now a director at Barkers Store, which he continues to help run successfully today.

The first of Lynne and David’s many grandchildren arrived in 1996.

Famous showjumper and family friend Geoff Billington delivered the eulogy at David’s funeral and described his friend as "a devoted grandad" who was always there to give all of his grandchildren the best start in life.

Geoff added: “He loved watching the grandchildren that ride and compete, never missing a result.

“David kept busy in his later years walking around the farm, checking all the stock, including horses, ponies, cows, pigs; often accompanied by the beloved Jack Russell Max.

"He loved following the racing, mainly National Hunt and took great interest in the jockeys that started life on the showjumping scene such as James Reveley and Harry Skelton. 

“He also admired the girls like Rachael Blackmoore, who compete on equal terms as the men, as always has been the case in showjumping.”

David died June 3 aged 79 following a short illness

His wake was held at Thief Hall in Thornton le Moor, a wedding venue established by David’s son Phillip and daughter-in-law Jessica in addition to their holiday cottage business Thief Hole.

The Barker family wish to thank the following; James Cook and Friarage Hospital staff, Barthram Funeral Services, Yvonne Dennis Florist, Tea Time Yorkshire for the afternoon tea and friends and family for their messages and ongoing support.