Andrew Stuart Cowdery sadly died having suffered an aneurism in Florida recently, aged 47.

Andrew was born in Germany on January 15 1963, while his father was serving with the Royal Horse Guards there. The family moved back to Windsor where he was educated at Windsor Grammar School before attending the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester,

From his early days, Andrew took a keen interest in the family horses and became an accomplished rider and driver, competing with a four in hand at the Windsor Park Equestrian Club Events and making his debut at the national event at Brighton in 1984.

It was later in that year that tragedy struck. While attending a friend’s birthday party, Andrew dived into the swimming pool and broke his neck, forcing him to be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Although paralysed from the chest down he never lost his enthusiasm for driving and with enormous determination and courage he organised a coaching run from Manchester to Edinburgh in 1987, raising thousands of pounds for spinal research.

His ability to organise and write led him to build an extremely successful career, firstly in journalism, writing in many equestrian publications including The Scottish Farmer and more latterly as the foremost British commentator at horse driving trials events, where his voice was instantly recognisable and his knowledge and style were such that he was invited regularly to commentate both in Europe and the United States, as well as in this country.

In 1994 he became assistant secretary of the coaching club taking over the secretaryship in 1998, a position of which he was very proud.

He served as secretary under four presidents, all of whom were indebted to him for his breadth of knowledge of the whole driving scene and his ability to organise with great efficiency the annual drives and events held by the club.

Andrew married Lucy in 2007 and she has been a tower of strength to him over the years. They have one son, Sam, who was Andrew’s pride and joy. Andrew died while in Florida, prior to commentating at the Live Oaks Driving Show which he attended every year. He will be missed by all his family and the many friends who both knew him and admired him.

A special fund has been set up in memory of Andrew. To contribute, please make cheques payable to the “Andrew Cowdery Memorial Fund”, and send to: Sally North, 38 West Burnside, Broxburn, West Lothian EH52 5RG. All donations will be acknowledged, so please make sure your name and address are included.

On Wednesday, May 12 a memorial service and celebration of Andrew’s Life will be held at the Holy Trinity Church, Windsor.