Sir Mark Todd with (l to r) Campino and Leonidas II.

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MarksSARA WALKER talks to double Olympic medallist Mark Todd about his horses, bucket list and ambitions.

arkark Todd has possibly the mmostost NowNow 61, Mark retired in 2000 but couldn’t stay away! He impressive CV of any rider II’ve’ve returned to in 2008 to contest the Beijing Olympics ever met. He’s been at the top and has since returned to the event circuit as a regular. of his game since 1978, when he was part of ’s At 2017, he was fourth and sixth very first three-day eventing on NZB Campino and Leonidas II respectively, one of only teamM to contest a world championship, and since then two riders in the event to be placed twice. he’s won pretty much every major title there is. I caught up with him at his yard in Wiltshire, where he was Impressively, he won Badminton Horse Trials at his first getting ready for Badminton Horse Trials. attempt in 1980, riding Southern Comfort, and has since gone to win it another three times. The championship has been his a record five times, so it’s no surprise he received a knighthood in 2013 and is now ‘Sir Mark Todd’. To that, he can add his MBE (in 1984), his CBE (1995) and his award as ‘Event Rider of the 20th Century’ by the FEI in 2000.

His unsurpassable triumphs have been rewarded with a Knighthood in 2013, the MBE (1984), the CBE (1995) and, in 2000, he was voted the ‘Event Rider of the 20th Century’ by the FEI, the international governing body of equestrian sports – phew!

06 H&C August-September 2017 www.horseandcountryside.com 07 Mark puts Brownsville Bertie through his paces.

Q&AWITH Mark Todd On his horses… You’ve clearly got some really talented horses on the yard at the moment. Who’s been your favourite horse ever? That’s an easy one – it would have to be Charisma. He was the horse I won my two gold Olympic medals on, in 1984 and 1988. He was such an amazing horse as well, with a great temperament, just a really lovely, genuine character.

You’ve had a long equestrian career - what’s been your worst moment with horses? On life… When Face the Music broke a leg on the cross country What’s the one thing you course in 1992 at Badminton and had to be put down. can’t live without? That was just awful. My wife!

What’s the moment you felt you’d made it as What’s your favourite food? an event rider? Oh, I love food! Let me see….I can’t Every time I have a big win! Then the feeling disappears just choose one! It would have to be and I’m back to the beginning again. Probably the first On the industry… scallops or deep fried squid. time I won Badminton, that was a fantastic feeling. What three qualities got you where you are today? I would say I’m very competitive, fiercely determined and If you got a tattoo, what Tell us about your Burghley horse(s). blessed with natural ability and balance. would it be of? I’m not yet sure who I’ll be taking as you never know Oh, I’d never get a tattoo. what’s going to happen between now and then. Any changes you’d like to see in the industry? Not at my age! There’s Leonidas, Campino and a couple of youngsters I’d like to see more money coming in the running. in, and fewer rules! Some of the What keeps you awake at night? rules are just ridiculous, such as Not much, really. I’m a pretty What’s it like to ride round Burghley? not being allowed to use leather good sleeper. Burghley is my favourite event anywhere. The park is bits in the . Sure, some gorgeous and the house is a fairytale castle, the gardens types of bit should be banned but What’s on your bucket list? and lake are stunning. We’re so lucky to be allowed to be there’s nothing softer on a horse’s mouth Maybe the TransSiberia railway, I’d there and ride round, it’s just staggering. Years ago, riders than leather so there’s no reason they like to do that. Definitely not used to use Burghley as a warm up for shouldn’t be allowed. climbing Everest! Badminton the following spring but these days I think it’s more the other way round. Burghley Which other riders do you admire and why? Describe your perfect day. probably has the edge as the tougher course I’d have to say Michael Jung for what I’d like to wake up to sunshine and now, it’s slightly undulating and makes he’s done, he’s such a hear the sound of the sea, and have the horses work harder. consistent rider. a lazy day lying on the beach.

08 H&C August-September 22017017 www.horseandcountryside.com 09 LAURA’S RIDING FLYING HIGH We catch up with Laura Robinson, Equithème’s TIPS sponsored showjumper in the UK. MARK’S TOP TIPS ON IMPROVING YOUR RIDING alented young “I am so excited about working with showjumper Laura, from Equithème. The range of There are so many good training videos out North Allerton in competition and leisure clothing is there these days. Before you go to your first Yorkshire, has been young, vibrant and on trend. The event, take a look and make sure you really T riding since she was four, with first horse equipment from rugs to understand what’s going to be asked of you pony Dinky. A first rosette (for ‘best boots, bandages and saddlecloths in terms of presentation, rider and horse tail braid’ at Pony Club Camp) are great quality and well-designed, fitness levels and training. followed, and Laura was hooked. it is just brilliant to be a brand Taking inspiration from international ambassador for these exciting Watch people in the warm up ring at a big riders such as three-time World Cup collections.” event. You’ll be able to watch the best riders in Final winner and Olympic medallist the world, it’s like having ten free lessons a day. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Laura lists her top guilty pleasures Laura won Team Gold at the as watching Love Island, cider, a Video yourself. What you think you feel may Children’s European Show proper Sunday roast with Yorkshire not be what the judge sees. It helps if you can Jumping Championships when puddings…and the music of have a knowledgeable person on the ground she was just 14. That was followed STEPS! as well. All top riders have mirrors in the by Team Silver in juniors and coming first in Madrid CSI2* GP. To find out more about Equitheme, arenas so we can watch ourselves all the time. visit equi-theme.com. “Showjumping is all I’ve ever done Never lose patience with the horse. If you feel since I was young and I couldn’t you’re getting frustrated, go off and have a have seen myself doing anything cup of tea and come back it when you’re else. I could have gone to university feeling fresh. and pursued another career but why give up an opportunity to do Sir Mark Todd is a LandLand Rover something you love?” says Laura, ambassador. Landd Rover hhasas now 22. “Currently, my best horse is been at the heart of eequestrianquestrian Lombelle who is competing at sport in the UK andnd around 1.50m level. I have two fantastic six- the world for overr 30 yearsyears.. year-olds, a Cornet stallion, a Diamant mare, a five-year-old, two To find out more vvisitisit four-year-olds and 11 horses under landrover.co.uk. the age of three, so the future is looking good.”

10 H&C August-September 2017