Olympic equestrian rider and horse breeder Bridget ‘Bud’ Hyem will be remembered as a true pioneer of Australian showjumping, after she passed away on Monday, aged 80 years.
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A long-time Carroll district resident, Ms Hyem (nee McIntyre)was a successful showjumper who reached the pinnacle of the sport in Tokyo in 1964 when she became the first female equestrian to represent Australia at an Olympic Games.
Originally from Muswellbrook, Ms Hyem married another well-known equestrian, Bill Hyem, in Tokyo a few days after competition, and the couple returned home to “Kibah” to start their married life.
It was here, between Gunnedah and Caroll, that they bred two of Australia’s most acclaimed event horses – Kibah Tic Toc and his half brother, Kibah Sandstone.
Kibah Tic Toc was broken in, schooled and ridden by the couple’s daughter Lisa in pony club and eventing before being taken to Europe and the UK by leading equestrian Matt Ryan in the 1980s.
Ryan claimed double gold in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics on Kibah Tic Toc, and gold on Kibah Sandstone in the teams event in Sydney.
In 2000 Ms Hyem brought Kibah Tic Toc, who had returned to the family property after Barcelona, out of retirement to ride in the Olympic torch relay.
She carried the torch through the streets of Gunnedah on its path to the Sydney Olympics.
“Kibah” is a well known Gunnedah district property, and Ms Hyem opened the gates to hold both pony club and Equestrian Australia one day events.
The well-known cross country course was attended by keen eventers from all over Australia.
Tributes are flowing in this week for the former Olympian, who died at Tamworth Hospital on Monday.
Equestrian Australia 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,” he said.
“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.”
Ms Hyem is survived by her sister, Susan, brother David, daughter Lisa and son James, and four grandchildren.
She was farewelled at a service in Tamworth earlier today.
