Lesley Dowey Memorial Fund

L-R: John Vanden Nieuwboer Sydney Equestrian Supplies Director, Lesley Dowey, Dr John Kohnke & Claudia Reid (Sydney Equestrian Supplies) at a Dr Kohnke Seminar held at Sydney Equestrian Supplies. Cassi Tonkin from Sydney Equestrian Supplies said that they organised the Seminars with Lesley, who would introduce John and also answer any questions if he was busy with someone else.

It is with great sadness that we report well known Hawkesbury horsewoman, Lesley Winifred Maxwell Dowey, died in a car accident on 24 October, aged 79.

"Lesley was passionate about several things in life, the main two being horses and education." says friend Julie Johnson.

"She bred Arabians and Welsh ponies under the prefix 'Arabesque'. In later years Lesley scaled down her breeding operation and only bred one or two foals a year. She was always an advocate of quality over quantity."

"Lesley was a born teacher. On the day she died she was returning from an excursion with her TAFE students. Lesley had been teaching Equine Studies courses for over 30 years. She had a gift for helping students understand what she was teaching. In teaching equine studies, she found a way to combine the two loves of her life horses and teaching!"

"A very social lady, Lesley was always happy to spend time with people! She loved many people and many people loved her. She was happy to give anyone advice if they asked for it, but she was just as happy to chat about things in general. She was quick to give a hug when needed, she comforted many people in their difficult times. She had an awesome sense of humour and enjoyed a good joke."

For 15 years Lesley was a valuable member of staff at Sydney Equestrian Supplies (Robank Horse Feeds) and still worked for them every year at their annual sale.

About three years ago, after Lesley retired from Sydney Equestrian Supplies, she went to work for Dr John Kohnke, "I had known Lesley for over 25 years, since I'd first met her at Baulkham Hills TAFE in the mid 1980’s", says Dr Kohnke.

"When Kaye and I needed an experienced part-time person to help with customer enquiries, Research and Development plans and new product trials, Lesley was the obvious choice.  She joined our team and helped with trials, reports and follow-up to horse owners who participated in field trials."

"Lesley's students, right up to her last TAFE practical class at Chrissie Johnson’s stables last week on Wednesday afternoon, loved Lesley and the knowledge and encouragement she provided.  I really would like to know where she got her energy and how she kept her brain so alert and active. She was so generous with her time."

"She juggled looking after her own horses, judging on the weekends, part-time TAFE teaching and working with us on a regular basis. She became an integral part of our Kohnke’s Own family. Lesley was a true national treasure and inspiration to us all."

Lesley will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

The funeral for Lesley Dowey will be held at 11am Friday, 2 November at St Peter's Anglican Church, Richmond, 384 Windsor Street, Richmond and afterwards at the Richmond College of TAFE.

To help towards the cost of caring for Lesley's horses, Sydney Equestrian Supplies has set up the Lesley Dowey Memorial Fund. To donate to the fund, visit the Sydney Equestrian Supplies store or call them on 02 4579 9265.

Quick Link

• Visit the Sydney Equestrian Supplies website