Janet Hodge, a respected figure in the equestrian community, passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 77. She dedicated her life to teaching riders and supporting disabled equestrians in West Sussex. Her influence spanned generations through her work with the Pony Club and Riding for the Disabled Association.
Janet Hodge, a lifelong horsewoman from West Sussex, died on Christmas Day, 2025, aged 77. She left home at 16 to pursue her passion for horses, starting as a groom for the Hall and Woodhouse family in Dorset. She later became a professional instructor, working alongside Sybil Smith at the Maidenhead branch of the Cadogan Riding School, where she honed the skills that defined her career.
Hodge played a key role in founding the Hope in the Valley Riding for the Disabled Association centre in Lewes, East Sussex. There, she helped build an accessible environment for riders with disabilities, a achievement she took great pride in. Her contributions extended deeply into the Pony Club, where she served multiple Sussex branches for decades. She taught young riders not just riding techniques but also respect and care for horses, earning the Cubitt Award for over 20 years of service.
Generations of children benefited from her patient guidance, with many returning to her for advice long after their Pony Club years. One former pupil remembered her fondly: “Janet was a truly wonderful woman, and I have many fond memories of learning how to ride with her. She inspired many generations of riders, and I feel her legacy lives on within all of us who were lucky to have spent time with her.”
Those close to Hodge described her as a trusted mentor whose life was rooted in kindness, dedication, and love for horses. Her impact endures in the riders she taught and the lives she touched.