Brynley Powell, a respected rider, coach, and organiser in the eventing world, passed away suddenly at age 70, leaving a profound impact on the community. Born in Hampshire and raised on a Surrey farm near Tweseldown racecourse, Brynley had a distinguished 30-year eventing career highlighted by a fifth-place finish at Burghley in 1992 and a Windsor international win coinciding with his daughter’s birth. After retiring from competition, he became a sought-after coach for top riders, including Olympians Susanna Bordone and Heidi Antikatzidis, and developed Deerswood as a premier training base.

In 2002, Brynley leased Tweseldown, investing heavily in its facilities and contributing to British Eventing’s calendar development, though he relinquished the lease in 2015 due to environmental restrictions. Known for his outspoken nature and advocacy for riders’ rights, he challenged governing bodies and supported calls for ethical reforms in the sport. In later years, he pursued his passion for sailing and helped transform Deerswood into a boutique Airbnb with his family. Brynley died of a heart attack in Wales after working on his former cross-country schooling area, and his family plans to honor his memory with a garden at the site.