Brigadier Friedburger, the British Horse Society Examiner noticed a steady and continue improvement when examining the Horsemastership (Preliminary Instructor) class and wrote to Captain Peck in December 1954, referring to the 100% pass rate on December 20th.

In his letter he said “These results are above those usually obtained at Porlock Vale. The instruction has plainly been better than it was before Major Burke became Chief Instructor. All the candidates rode well and made a cheerful and happy class”.

Paddy Burke instructing a group of Working Pupils at Porlock Vale Riding School 1956.

Brigadier Friedberger attended Porlock Vale Riding School, as British Horse Society Examiner, on a regular basis at the end of each Horsemastership course, which ran for 15 weeks. He had originally met Jimmy Woods, many years before, at The White City where Jimmy had been jumping a particularly difficult mare. The Brigadier helped Jimmy to sort the problem out and they had both been surprised to meet again at Porlock.