Late Moreton Morrell college tutor leaves equine legacy - The Leamington Observer

Late Moreton Morrell college tutor leaves equine legacy

Leamington Editorial 19th Jun, 2021   0

A FORMER college tutor, distinguished equestrian competitor and BHSI Examiner is continuing to support the next generation of equine students with a £10,000 legacy fund.

Clarissa Dawson passed away two years ago after a brave battle with leukaemia and had been a tutor at Moreton Morrell College for more than two decades.

She left a legacy fund at the college to support the further development of equine training, which was her passion, and the college group has now purchased two new pieces of equipment with the fund.

More than £3,000 has been used to buy two new mechanical horse exercisers for the college, which will be used by students to develop rider fitness as part of their riding module, as well as benefitting teaching on other courses too.




Clarissa, who lived near Shipston, was well-known in the equine community, both locally and nationally. She competed with distinction in dressage and her side saddle expertise was sought after at clinics in the UK and abroad.

She was National Ladies Side Saddle Champion three times in 1992, 1994 and 1997 – and in November 2019 was posthumously awarded The British Horse Society Exceptional Achievement Award.


As recently as November 2018, she was still competing despite undertaking chemotherapy and was placed at Regional Advanced Medium Level on her horse Primiende.

She was a student at Moreton Morrell College and returned to lecture in both Further Education and Higher Education, showing great commitment to educating equine students for more than 20 years.

Sue Weatherburn, a lecturer who worked with Clarissa for more than 15 years, said it was the perfect way to use the legacy fund and it was a great way for her to continue having a positive impact on young people’s education in the region.

Sue added: “I feel very lucky to have worked alongside Clarissa for such a long period of time. She was a great colleague and friend.

“When Clarissa passed away, I started to look after her dog and she still comes to the college with me every day, just like she did with Clarissa for many years.

“She taught across a range of courses and was a course tutor from Level 1 all the way up to degree level.

“To buy this equipment with the legacy fund is a fitting way to remember Clarissa and we know that she would have approved of spending some of the money in this way.”

Geoff Dawson, Clarissa’s brother, added that the family are very proud of her achievements.

“Clarissa had her first pony – Amber – at age five and from then on her entire world revolved around horses.

“Clarissa was incredibly modest in her achievements, the kitchen in her house was a testament to her achievements as the walls were filled with literally hundreds of ribbons and rosettes.

“She loved her position at Moreton Morrell College and she told me on more than one occasion how much she appreciated the help and support the college – and her many friends – were able to give her, especially during the latter stages of her illness.”

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