Evans family

Ivan was a good horse man, his Father Bob Evans taught him well and between them, they bred some good show horses, one year he brought eleven horses to the show, Peter Evans was riding for him then,

The best horses were Daylight, and a mare called Sunshine. Ivan won the pairs two years running in Bega with Daylight and Topper, he lost a good horse later, called Four Squares, found him dead in the paddock.

The show started having Olympic jumps, that changed a lot of things, his latest horses were Honeyhope and Senata, which were top horses

Ivan was always a keen horse man, he got the pony club started and was a tireless worker, keeping every one interested, he was on the Zone committee, and Nimmitabel had a thriving pony club for many years, He would always be seen working in the ring at every show. He made the jump wings, carting the timber from the bush, and they are the ones still in use at the show today.

Ivan's family were all involved in the shows and were competent riders; Kinsley, Colin, Perry and Joyce,

Ivan is well respected, as a top class horse man , who knew his horses and was always ready to share his knowledge with young and old alike. Ivan has been missed very much at the last couple of shows through ill health, We wish him well.

Obituary

Ivan Robert Evans

6.9.1926- 24.4.2006

Ivan Evans was born on 6.9.1926, in Nimmitabel. He was the middle child of Robert and Irene Evans. His sister, Joy predeceased him, and he is survived by his younger sister Beth.

Ivan was born into a farming family. Farming was in his blood, and farming is the pursuit he followed all his life. He farmed at ‘Ardmore’, ‘Begonia’ and later at Tilba. He was a successful breeder of cattle, sheep and horses. If cattle and sheep were his business, then horses were his passion. He bred horses that were all round farm horses, but were also useful camp drafters and great pony club horses. Many children and adults have taken enormous pleasure in riding the horses that Ivan bred. His favourite horse, Taff, lived for forty years and only died last spring. Taff was a horse after Ivan’s heart, strong, fast, honest and smart. Ivan and Taff had a partnership that horse people anywhere could envy. Together they took out a respectable number of Open Camp Drafts that I’m sure that Ivan only entered for the sheer pleasure of the harmony enjoyed between himself and the beautiful Taff.

His commitment to the community and his love of all things farming led Ivan to join the Nimmitabel Show Society. He maintained a life long interest in the Show Society. He was the faithfully steward for the jumping area every year at the local Show, while he remained able. Many young people were the recipients of his expertise, kindness and skill. Ivan was an instructor for the Pony Club for many years. He demonstrated his love for children and the wider community through helping the pony clubbers to better understand horses, the partnership necessary between horses and riders, and the art of jumping.

Ivan was the proud father of four children, Kingsley and wife Judy, Colin, Perri and Joyann. Three of these children are involved with farming or animals, each of them have benefited from Ivan’s teaching and guidance.

Ivan worked hard. He was well known for the fact that he never had to back track a day. He had mapped out jobs for the day so that he neatly completed each of them within a circuit. He was methodical, effective and knowledgeable.

Ivan was not known to waste words, he would want us all to remember him for the strong message of his actions.

And what were they?

Pride in and love for his children

Generosity. He gave of his time, and for his friends he was always ready to lend a hand.

Strength. Ivan was physically and mentally strong. He could handle animals with ease, including the strongest willed horses. He weathered drought and rain with the same strength and patience as the land he knew so well. Perhaps stoic is an appropriate word. Straight forward you knew where you stood with Ivan, He spoke plainly. What he said to you, was all that was said. And his word was his bond.

Contributed by Elizabeth Dee (friend of the family)

Submitted by Rae Blyton <blyton10-at-bigpond.net.au>