IT WAS a moving tribute to a lovely man.
Hundreds of people from all facets of the equestrian world and the SA Police Department packed Centennial Park until its largest chapel was overflowing.
John ('Patto') Patterson, formerly of the SA Mounted Cadre, highly-respected and much-loved showjumping rider and coach, died on July 22 as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident several months earlier, and his many friends gathered to celebrate his life and see him off in style.
There was plenty in his life to celebrate.
In his 70 years Mr Patterson lived and worked surrounded by family, friends and horses – an ideal life, as he saw it.
As son of the famed Mounted Cadre Sergeant Frank Patterson, his career as a horseman was off to a flying start.
He learnt to ride as a small child, started showjumping at the age of 10 and later followed his father into SAPOL, serving as a police officer for 42 years, with much of that time in the mounted division.
In the 1960s and '70s the 'mounted' had a far more visible presence than today, with police teams and individuals competing at country and Royal shows here and interstate, and performing with the Police Band in crowd entertainments such as mounted vaulting displays and the famous Police Musical Ride.
He was a member of the SA Police tent-pegging team which won the coveted Australian Gold Cup, held annually as part of the Royal Melbourne Show, and in 1972 was Australian Individual Tent-pegging Champion, scoring 'carries' with 25-millimetre pegs in the final round.
Under the watchful eye of legendary Police Instructor Tim Dodd, who he always acknowledged as his major mentor, he rode PH Image to many successes in the show ring, taking him through the ranks to A-grade competition. In civilian life, he schooled and produced a string of his own jumpers to senior competition level.
After Mr Patterson's retirement from SAPOL he devoted his energies to the Metropolitan Showjumping Club, where he served as deputy to president Russ Ritter for many years, and was particularly active in teaching and running clinics for young riders throughout SA at 'freshman' and pony club levels.
Helping people was what Mr Patterson did best – always with encouragement, good humour, and the famous work ethic that saw him give up so much of his own time to help aspiring young riders improve and achieve their goals.
He will be sadly missed.
Eulogies at the funeral were given by his daughter Sarah, Horse SA president and former 'mountie' Denis Edmonds, Metro President Russ Ritter, and former co-competitor and good mate, now commentator, 'Tad' McClean.
Together with a Mounted Police escort for the hearse, a casket topped with Mr Patterson's ceremonial 'Mounted Officer' helmet, and the presence of hundreds of friends, all with the fondest possible memories of 'Patto', it was a send-off to make anyone proud.