Bullman was appointed as an honorary vice-president of the British Showjumping Association in 2004 after previously serving on the Association's Executive Board from 1991 to 2001.

He was also chairman of both the British Showjumping International Selection Committee and the International Affairs Committee from 1994 to 2000.

During this time as chairman, Great Britain won European team and individual silver in 1995, European team bronze in 1997 and World team bronze in 1998.

"Michael's presence will be missed around the world," a statement from the British Showjumping Association read.

"A true British Ambassador, his big heart, knowledge and bearing gave anyone who came into contact with him guidance, assurance and hope with horses and in life.

"His death is an irreplaceable loss to the horse world, one of the dying breed of old-school gentleman, who was in his own words 'A lover of horses first and a horseman second'".

Bullman, who died at his home in Hungary, was also a hugely successful owner and his stable produced not only unforgettable stars like Vital and Kruger but numerous brilliant horses such as Costello, Mark Two, Abbeyville, Bonneville, Stanford, Superville and Nightlife.

Michael Bullman formed a near 30-year partnership with British rider Joe Turi in which the pair amassed a huge array of prizes at top international level ©Allsport



He is perhaps most famous for a near 30-year owner rider partnership with the late Hungarian-born Joe Turi, which would see Turi become one of the most successful riders of his time.

Turi, riding Bullman's stallion Vital, was unlucky to miss out on the jump-off for an individual medal after a "foot in the water" incident at the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988, where the British team finished sixth.

Turi's victory in the 1990 Hickstead Derby with Vital, beating the 1989 winner Nick Skelton, is said to be one of Bullman's most cherished memories.

Bullman's horse Kruger was part of the winning British European Championship team in Rotterdam, 1989, with arguably one of the strongest teams ever fielded by Great Britain, consisting of John and Michael Whitaker, Skelton and Turi.

Thanks to Bullman's support, Turi rode in more than 50 Nations Cups, 16 of them on winning teams.

He qualified six times for the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) World Cup Final, four times for Great Britain and twice for Hungary, scoring a top-10 finish in 1988.

In his later years, Bullman lived mainly at the Hungarian residence he built together with Turi before the rider's tragic death in 2003 at the age of 48 in a motorcycle accident.

Speaking on the news of his passing, FEI jumping director John Roche, said: "Michael Bullman was one of the sport's true gentlemen.

"He was a real ambassador, both nationally and internationally, not just for the sport but also for the horse, his true love.

"He will be sadly missed."

Bullman is survived by his five brothers and one sister.

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