Phillipa Marshall, the President of the Mid Surrey Farmers Draghounds, who has died aged 97, was for 60 years the leading light for the Drag, first as Secretary, Master, Chairman, and then President. Her drive, commitment and dedication throughout her lifetime to the Drag and other country organisations made her hugely respected.
Born Phillippa Kindersley in 1925, her father worked on the American desk in the family stockbroking firm with her parents spending half the year in America. She grew up at Plaw Hatch on the Ashdown Forest with her uncle’s family. Horses have been a lifetime interest, she had a pony and trap, hunted pre war with the Old Surrey & Barstow and then drove trucks in the war. She married Dr Mark Marshall and they had four children. David, Sara, Patrick and Amanda.
Family life was exceptionally busy. An early riser with four children, she exercised horses ar first light, before joining Marks’ practice at 9.00 am. Her uncle Philip Kindersley had reformed the Drag after the war years in 1948 with Ian Patello, and Phillippa started coming out with them. Aged 30 she became Secretary and took responsibility for the lines. In 1957, on the forcible advice to her uncle by Douglas Bunn, she was made a Master: Philip did not think this was a good idea, women did not become Masters of hounds, let alone Draghounds, but in the end he was forced to agree. Her riding Mastership was to continue to 1980 when with the reoccurrence of a war injury sustained whilst transferring from a troop ship to a cutter, she was obliged to stop. She was however able to continue with the running of the Drag. It was during this time she was bequeathed her nickname Dragon, or The Dragon, by Douglas Bunn, a nickname which was to sustain throughout her life.
She was a determined organiser; her mastership was characterised by her camaraderie and long relationships with all who knew her. Dudley Pinney hunted hounds for her for 32 years, Harry Streets dragman to her uncle and herself was an ever present, together latterly with Barry Slater. Having whipped in for her uncle, her daughter Sara whipped in, as did Sue Bunn, Warren Marshall, and Colin Baker. Anyone walking country with her will remember the Mars bars and copious amounts of sloe gin; she must have made tank fulls over the years !
Her mastership for members was characterised apart from its longevity, by two main tenets; one was her good sense of humour and wanting it to be good fun, and two, possibly more importantly, her assessment of each rider’s ability. She had the knack of telling the unpalatable news to a number of alpha riders, the fences they were not to jump. People trusted her judgement, they didn’t argue with her. She was even prepared when the drinking became too exciting before dragging to take a riders drink away from them if thought necessary, never easy to achieve. But it was through her eye for country, the Drag became known for the place to be, to have fun, drawing in an eclectic spread of riders, some came by helicopter. Farmers predominated, but there were bankers, the legal profession, racing industry, show jumpers, hoteliers, car dealers, housewives, and the occasional criminal. All were drawn by her judgement and the sport she and Dudley provided, and this made the Drags’ reputation. Present Masters are amazed at what she achieved.
She also found time to run the local Old Surrey Pony Club, getting involved with shows, camps (and the problem of keeping the boys away from the girls),and her association with the Edenbridge & Oxted Show spanning 40 years. She ran the gymkhana, served on horse committees, Council, and was made President.
The Drag thrived under her care, and that it does today is through the legacy of her work and force of character. People will remember her with great affection.
One story that stands out, amongst many, you might think printable:-
The Drag had a meet arranged for 10.30am in late November at Horne in circa 1982 as John Oaksey had been invited to ride en route to commentary duties a Lingfield races that afternoon.
Riders were forewarned by Phillipa that a new line had been arranged, but she didn’t divulge its difficulties. Riders duly set sail on said line, a faller at he first was Edward Cazalet, but the pace was too good to enquire if he was OK, and 8 fences later the riders who were still on board, finished in the gateway in an advanced state of adrenalin and euphoria, Only shortly thereafter to be verbally lashed by Edward Cazalet, as only a High Court Judge was able to do, about their reckless and dangerous riding, and he wanted to send everyone home. Peace was finally restored, and John Oaksey retired in a fast car for Lingfield racecourse.
The story then switches to the TV screen in the Jolly Farmers Pub. John Oaksey then stands up in the commentary box, theatrically takes off his trilby and great coat, and standing in his hunting gear, announces to the world that he had just come from a days dragging with the Mid Surrey Farmers Drag, he had just had the most thrilling and dangerous days sport in his life,and that he counted himself lucky still to be alive. Susie Aird promptly named the line as Aintree, and Phillippa’s name was cheered to the rafters.