Vale - Bridget ‘Bud’ (McIntyre) Hyem

By: Michelle Cook/Equestrian Australia

Equestrian Australia (EA) is saddened by the news former Olympian Bridget ‘Bud’ (McIntyre) Hyem has passed away at the age of 81.

Growing up in the small town of Kayuga, near Muswellbrook, NSW, Bud was a successful showjumper who reached the pinnacle of the sport in 1964 when she became the first female equestrian to represent Australia at an Olympic Games. 

At these Games Australia finished 7^th in the team’s event and Bud aboard Coronation placed 24^th individually. Bud returned to Australia a married woman, after a small wedding in Tokyo to well-known Australian show jumper Bill Hyem.

Later in life Bud bred two of Australia’s most successful event horses, Olympic gold medallists Kibah Tic-Toc and Kibah Sandstone. The half-brothers were both ridden by Matt Ryan, with Tic Toc claiming double gold in Barcelona and Sandstone gold in the team’s eventin Sydney. 

In an interview with the ABC’s Australian Story, Ryan said that Bud was ever encouraging.

“One of the quirky problems that I had with Tic Toc was the showjumping phase, and that must've frustrated the hell out of Bud, because her specialty was showjumping, and the fact that that was my weakest link in three-day eventing must've really annoyed her. 

“She would send me photos of other people riding him at top level showjumping, saying, "See, Matt? He can actually jump really well. Get your arse in gear!" Just be a little more positive to it.”

Tic-Toc returned to Australia in 1999 and in 2000 Bud took him out of retirement to ride in the Olympic torch relay prior to the Sydney Games.

Before he became an Olympic horse Tic-Toc was ridden by Bud’s daughter Lisa who competed with him at local pony Club gymkhanas and jamborees. The bloodlines of Tic-Toc and Sandstone date back to a ‘little black mare’ which Bud’s father purchased from a drover for two shillings.

Bud opened up her famous property ‘Kibah’ to hold both Pony Club and EA One Day Events, the well-known cross country course was attended by keen eventers from all over Australia.

EA Chairman Dr Warwick Vale paid tribute to Australia’s first ever female Olympic equestrian.

“Bridget McIntyre was a pioneer in our sport and she will be remembered for her achievements as both a rider and a breeder. Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time.

“As a rider Bud was at the forefront of the sport and she made history in becoming the first female equestrian to represent Australia at an Olympic Games.

“As the breeder of Kibah Tic Toc and Kibah Sandstone Bud played a hand in some of Australia’s greatest equestrian triumphs and it is a rare and remarkable accomplishment that will long be remembered.”