A horse rider, owner and past livery yard owner, equestrianism and rural sports have been part of a lifetime of competitive sporting participation. An event organiser, Pony Club Area trials Area 6 in 2008 and 2009, volunteer organiser of the SEIB Burghley Sponsored ride (raising over £275,000 for equestrian charities) former senior mounted steward and area steward at Defender Burghley Horse Trials and now commentator and part of the volunteer marshal team organisation recruiting 550 marshals over the 5 days, accredited volunteer for 2012 eventing Olympic competition, former competitive amateur show jumper at Foxhunter level, past hunter, event rider, team chasing, clay shooter and fly fisherman. Ian’s home bred event horse, a 14 year old ‘Spring Ambition’ is still competing having been backed and produced by Ros Canter to advanced level.  Spring Ambition has an embryo transfer foal born April 2019 by Jaguar Mail ‘Fresh Ambition’. This mare has been backed and ridden by eventer Willa Newton since winter 2022 and is now embarking on a Show Jumping career with Holly Smith and Tanya Kyle from June 2025. Fresh Ambition has recently been sold to an amateur rider for hunting, hacking and low level competition.

A commercial background in the farm supply industry for 30 years provides a thorough grounding in all rural affairs and with ongoing business interests in animal medicines and corporate acquisition, mergers and marketing projects.

Ian is 71, married with two children and lives in Wollaton, Nottingham. Actively involved in Christian social activities locally, a charity fund raiser and is a trustee of Redwings the UK’s largest horse sanctuary charity