Obituary of Paul Ridgeon who owned elite event horses including Armada

Paul Ridgeon, who has died aged 93, was well-known in eventing circles as the owner of top horses such as Armada and Cooley Rosalent.

He was born on 4 March 1932 with a condition known as talipes, which meant he required multiple surgeries to straighten his feet. Eventually his metatarsals were fused, which caused pain for his entire life. He wasn’t able to walk until he was 13 years old. Unable to be involved in other sports, he found he could sit on a horse, and thus began a lifetime love of horses.

He showjumped as an amateur, including at White City, and became involved in organising equestrian shows.

A true entrepreneur, in his early 20s he worked in the Dutch bulb fields to gain experience before joining the family seed firm, and in floristry as the family had florist shops. He so