VALE - Russ Ritter

Equestrian South Australian is deeply saddened to advise our members of the passing of Mr Russell Ritter on the 4^th February 2018.

Russ’s love of horses began at a young age, he commenced riding at the age of four and had a desire to become a jockey when he was older, unfortunately he grew too tall for racing but became involved in showing and show jumping and then helped his daughters develop their love of jumping.

In early 1975 Russ was driven to act when two girls died riding their horses on public roads.  Russ convinced the airport to lease some of its land in the south west corner, the venue became the home of the Metropolitan Show Jumping Club later renamed the SA Equestrian Centre.

For many years Russ worked tirelessly in assisting the club run monthly freshman days, local jumping events and rounds of the World Cup.  Russ was all things to the club from mowing grass, painting to serving in the canteen.

In 2016 Russell Ritter received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to equestrian sports. Russ had been involved in the sport for over 60 years.

A long serving volunteer of the show jumping community Russell served on numerous committees including the board of Equestrian South Australia.

He was an inaugural member of the Equestrian Australia SA Branch Show Jumping Council and also founder of the SA Metro Show Jumping Club.

In 2000 he was the recipient of the Australian Sports Medal and in 2012 he was also awarded the Sport SA Volunteer of the Year award.