By IANS
London : Author, editor and equestrian ‘guru’ Elwyn Hartley Edwards who spent his early childhood in India and served for 13 years in the Gurkha regiment, has died aged 80.
Widely known in the world of horses, he was one of the world’s most prolific and successful horse writers. He penned hundreds of articles and books from his home in Wales.
Born in Britain, he spent his early childhood in India and served 13 years in the Gurkha regiment, touring India, Malaya, Borneo and Indonesia. He remained a lifelong advocate of the issues of Gurkha soldiers and returned to visit India every year.
His widow Mary has asked for all funeral donations to go the Gurkha Welfare Trust. The funeral is scheduled at the Bangor Crematorium Dec 19.
His first equine book, “Saddlery”, was published in 1963 and, after several revisions, remains the definitive account of the subject. Renowned for his encyclopaedic knowledge of horse and pony breeds, Edwards published more than 40 books in all.
Most were translated into foreign languages and two, “The Ultimate Horse” and “The Horse Guide”, both sold in the region of a million copies. He was a former Gwynedd chairman of the British Horse Society (BHS) and a member of the society’s council.
The Daily Post, a leading Liverpool daily, quoted BHS communications director Oliver Wilson as saying: “Edwards was a writer of international repute who was a huge expert in all matters equine. He wrote a BHS column for many years and they were always erudite, intelligent and informed.
“Two years ago I was invited for a meal at his North Wales home and found he was still a great raconteur who clearly enjoyed life to the full.”
Edwards’ first book, published when he was 22, was “The Ethnic Grouping of the Himalayan Tribes”. He went on to edit the Riding magazine for 18 years, write for Country Life and was consultant editor with Michael Clayton on Horse and Hound.
Mike Roberts, former BHS Wales chairman, said: “He worked extremely hard to further the interests of horses and their riders in this area. Elwyn was also a noted judge and a gifted public speaker – he had the ability to combine great knowledge with enthusiasm and humour.”