A regional daily picture editor is quitting his job after 20 years to train horses for three-day-event and dressage contests.

Peter Holdgate, who runs the picture desk at Plymouth daily The Herald, says he is leaving to ‘live the dream.’

A former Royal Navy photographer, Peter started his own business after leaving the services and after doing freelance work for the Western Morning News eventually joined its sister title The Herald.

Peter announced his departure in an email to colleagues yesterday.

Peter pictured at Bagram airbase in Afghanistan in 2002

He wrote:  “It is with ‘heavy heart’ that I tell you that I have decided to leave the Herald, South West Media Group and indeed Northcliffe.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside such committed professionals in all departments of our newspapers, but it has been a real honour to lead the small team of such gifted photographers that illuminate our daily pages with such stunning imagery.

“I am off to ‘live the dream’,  and together with my wife, Janine, further our passion for producing and training competition Event and Dressage horses.”

Peter’s last day will be 21 June.  He named The Herald winning the IFRA International Quality Award for the quality of its newspaper colour as the most memorable moment of his time on the paper.

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