Obituary: Equestrian photographer brought joy to many

Barbara Thomson, of Taupo. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The equestrian world lost a major benefactor with the unexpected death of Barbara Thomson in a tragic accident at Taupo on February 21.

The 75-year-old failed to return from a routine early morning fly fishing trip to the mouth of the Waitahanui Stream. Police divers found her body in the lake the next morning.

Widely recognised as a gifted equestrian photographer, Thomson honed her skills at horse events large and small, and as New Zealand eventers became competitive on the world stage, she travelled overseas to the big international events, gaining recognition world wide.

Attending World Equestrian Games and Olympic Games regularly from 1986, she had photographs published in top international magazines.

One of four sisters who grew up at Otamauri, west of Hastings, riding their ponies to school, Thomson was subsequently educated at St Matthews Collegiate School in Masterton.

On leaving school, having inherited her father Fred Chapman's interest in photography, she worked in a photographic business in Hastings before becoming an air hostess.

Thomson married RNZAF pilot Tom Thomson in 1967 and they had two children, Mark and Michelle.

The family enjoyed overseas postings before returning to New Zealand where AVM Thomson AFC became deputy chief of defence, earning a CBE.

Barbara became involved in the equestrian world again, and was extremely busy as there were so few photographers following the sport then.

She mentored young photographers, employing some who went on to establish their own business, and supported events throughout the country with sponsorship.

As Thomson became more involved, she also supported several riders, enjoying the privileges of owning an Olympic horse, Sugoi, that Heelan Tompkins rode, in Hong Kong.

She also shared in the ownership of Blyth Tait's mare, Delta, at the 1994 WEG in The Hague.

It is a privilege to have worked as a journalist alongside such a generous, talented, conscientious and fun friend who will never know how much appreciation there is for the history she has recorded, nor the joy she gave others in the memories she provided in her photographs.

Her funeral is at 11.30am in Taupo on Monday.