Three people have been sentenced for giving horses a “lifetime of misery” in a field full of hazards and strewn with dead and rotting equine bodies.

John Dunn, of Dering Way, Gravesend, did not attend Medway Magistrates’ Court for his trial, and was sentenced in his absence on 13 July for four counts of animal cruelty.

The 34-year-old was given a 26-week prison sentence and banned from keeping equines for 10 years for the offences, which related to “a number of sick horses kept in horrific conditions”.

RSPCA inspector Paul Taylor said the charges were related to 13 horses, part of a large group kept in a field near Dering Way.

“The field did not have enough grazing to sustain the numbers, and it was riddled with litter and hazards such as barbed wire, plastic bags and plastic netting,” said an RSPCA spokesman. “The main water source was a dyke contaminated due to decaying horses’ remains, and it was green and full of rubbish.”

The RSPCA found “a large number” of decomposing equine carcasses in the field, as well as a drain six feet deep, with no manhole cover.

Horses in the field had parasites, were in poor condition and had no extra food, while five more were shut in containers.

“There was no natural light, the tiny space was filled with faeces and the equines had little or no fresh water or food,” said the spokesman.

On 16 February 2017, four horses had been removed, two “exceptionally sick” equines put to sleep on the scene and 10 dead bodies found. On 9 March 32 horses were removed from two fields in the area, following an operation also involving police, vets and the British Horse Society.

At the start of Dunn’s trial, Bridget Saunders, of the same address, had pleaded guilty to two animal welfare offences concerning a number of horses. The 31-year-old was banned from keeping equines for three years and given a conditional discharge “in view of her personal circumstances”. She was ordered to pay £100 costs and a £30 surcharge.

A third defendant, Ronnie Vine of Havengore Avenue, whose two horses were in a different field to the main herd, pleaded guilty to one animal welfare offence, on 13 July.

The 56-year-old was banned from keeping equines for one year and ordered to pay £1,200 costs, a £200 fine and a £30 surcharge.

In mitigation, the court heard Vine cares for his sick wife, that he “took his eye off the ball” owing to an illness, and that his life revolves around horses and horse fairs.

Saunders co-operated with the RSPCA and had “learned her lesson”. She had been given the horses as therapy for her son, and had financial issues.

In Dunn’s mitigation, it was pointed out that he was not responsible for all the horses, as some belonged to the other defendants.

RSPCA inspector Rosie Russon said after the case: “Many of the horses taken were just youngsters and had probably only known a life of misery, sickness and riddled with worms. It is such an awful shame that in this day and age, we are still seeing cases of animal cruelty of this scale.

“I was truly horrified at the sheer number of horses being kept in such terrible conditions in one small location, the horrors were clear for all to see – yet despite this the owners failed to make improvements for them.

“This is one of the largest number of horses that the RSPCA has taken into its care in the Kent area in recent years, and I am pleased to say that almost all the horses are now doing exceptionally well.

“But it has been a long road to recovery for many of them. They have been treated for parasites and other ailments and are now in herds with more than enough grazing and plenty of loving attention, a stark contrast to their previous lives.

“Six of the mares were pregnant when removed and they have all given birth to healthy, happy foals.”

Ms Russon thanked the police and BHS for their support in the “very complex and very difficult operation”.

“In Kent the horse crisis is something we as officers are having to face almost every day, and recent figures released by the RSPCA revealed that this county had the highest number of equines collected in the whole of the country [76] last year,” she added.

“Sadly, the horse crisis is still showing no signs of easing up, and we and horse charities across the region continue to have to pick up the pieces as a result of owners not meeting the basic welfare needs of their equines.

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“We know people find it frustrating when they see a horse they believe to be suffering and they contact us to take action, but we can only ever act within the law, and we cannot just remove them unless a vet confirms they are suffering and the police seize them.

“I hope this case sends out a clear message and reassures the public that when the RSPCA has sufficient evidence to bring animal welfare offenders before the courts, we will.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

“Shows keep telling me that I’ve put the rider’s name instead of the horse,” says Georgie Strutton of her relatively new ride for owner Beverley Widdowson.

“And the FEI wouldn’t believe me when I registered him!”

The horse in question, a six-year-old by Luidam x Le Tot De Semilly, has the unforgettable, if slightly confusing, name “M Sampson”.

The gelding earned his unusual moniker when showjumper Matt Sampson was based at breeder Lea Popely’s yard.

“Matt was there at the birth and, because they’re both redheads, Lea decided it was the perfect name,” explains Georgie, who was seen competing the chestnut at Brook Farm show on 16 June.

Despite a foot in the penultimate water jump in the newcomers qualifier — “He’s never seen one before,” says Georgie — the equine M Sampson certainly impressed everyone watching and looks set to be a star of the future.

“He’s already through to the HOYS grade C and talent seekers finals,” says Georgie, who also claimed victory in a 1.30m class at the show riding Old Lodge’s Khaled OL.

“Qualifiers put so much pressure on horse and rider that I wanted to give him a fun class,” she explained.

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The pair have already picked up some good results on the Sunshine Tour in Vejer De La Frontera earlier this year. Beverley Widdowson, owner of Nick Skelton’s dual Olympic gold medal-winning ride Big Star and Michael Whitaker’s top stallion Cassionato, must be very excited about this addition to her stable.

The class, and a coveted ticket to the final at Horse of the Year Show, was won in impressive style by Abbe Burchmore-Eames riding the Belgian-bred Javko Du Flory (Andiamo Z x Skippy II)

>> You can read the full report from Brook Farm, as well as all the action from the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby meeting, in the next issue of Horse & Hound, out Thursday 28 June.

A rider who was subject to “vile” abuse from fellow horse-owners after her Shetland was diagnosed with strangles believes such attitudes contribute to the spread of the disease.

Lily Taylor told others of her pony Ernie’s diagnosis as soon as it was confirmed, and he has been treated and is being managed under veterinary advice, while she has put appropriate biosecurity measures in place at the yard where she keeps him and her other horses.

Lily told H&H she was surprised by the “nastiness” she has been subject to from other owners.

“People have been vile,” she said.

“I’ve been speaking to vets and farriers; they say this is one reason why it spreads, as people keep it quiet because they don’t want all this backlash.

“I’ve had people screaming at me, calling me every name under the sun – not concerned about my pony at all.”

Lily says she has also been surprised by the misinformation some riders seem to be acting on, such as thinking strangles is airborne.

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‘Time to ditch the strangles stigma’: Redwings reveals survey

Redwings Horse Sanctuary has launched a strangles survey to gain a better understanding of horse owners’ perceptions of the disease

‘Stop the vilifying’: owners urged to speak out to tackle disease outbreaks head-on

“Imagine how much better off we would be if we knew where the other outbreaks and infectious diseases are”

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“I’ve had everything in place, I’m disinfecting everything, doing it all properly, but I’ve had some people accusing me of not telling them early enough – I didn’t want to cause panic by announcing it until it was confirmed,” she added.

“This is why some people don’t say anything when they get it – but I’d rather be screamed at than let it spread.

“You get made to feel like you’re trying to kill other people’s horses, but I just want to get the word out: be honest and tell people – and if someone does tell you they’ve got it, they need support, not to be screamed at.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

The £21,0000 restoration of an ‘unsafe’ bridleway that provided a crucial off-road route for riders, walkers and cyclists demonstrates the importance of access work, the British Horse Society (BHS) believes.

The bridleway in Horton, Dorset, was overgrown with unusable boggy sections. It was the only off-road access from Horton Tower to links with a mass of tracks in Queens Copse, Ferndown Forest, Holt Forest and beyond.

Work included cutting back trees and scrub to form a 4m-wide area and creating a new drainage system with locally sourced Mendip stone to stop the route becoming waterlogged.

The bridleway before

“The partnerships formed here in Horton to restore this unsafe route highlight the importance of our access efforts and how the work benefits many users in the local community,” said Tracy Casstles, director of fundraising at the BHS. “We’re delighted that this work will allow user groups such as equestrians, cyclists and walkers access to safe off-road access opportunities and we very much look forward to working on similar projects across the UK.”

The Veoila Environmental Trust put £15,000 towards the project, through the Landfill Communities Fund. The remaining £6,000 was secured through funding from the BHS paths for communities fund, Knowlton Parish Council, Dorset Council, the Knowlton Parish Community Benefit Fund and the East Dorset Rambles Association, with the support of the Forestry Commission and residents.

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Parish council chairman Cllr Jerry Laker said: “Knowlton Parish Council is delighted to have been a part of this project to improve the accessibility to the extensive forest area and our landmark tower at Horton.”

The restoration is an example of the work taking place under the BHS’s project jigsaw campaign, which aims to provide all equestrians with access to a safe network of off-road tracks.

The project is made up of four areas: government lobbying, ride out UK, paths for communities and mapping the historic routes by 1 January 2026 to prevent them being lost for ever. The Horton restoration came under the paths for communities fund, a fundraising initiative working with landowners to create new routes and ensure existing routes are kept open and maintained.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

One talented young rider has received the best Christmas present imaginable — a lesson from Carl Hester on none other than the mighty Valegro.

Ruby Hughes, the 11-year-old daughter of international dressage riders Gareth and Rebecca Hughes and Carl’s goddaughter, had the chance to put “Blueberry” through his paces at Carl’s beautiful Gloucestershire yard.

Ruby rode the 16-year-old Negro gelding very competently in trot and canter, even throwing in flying changes and doing some lateral work, before Carl helped her try some piaffe too, with Blueberry being very obliging.

“Blueberry was amazing. Uncle Carl gave me a lesson on him and even had me doing piaffe! And Blueberry’s canter was so big!” said Ruby.

European and world team medallist Gareth added: “Ruby got an early Christmas present from her godfather Carl Hester and Valegro yesterday. This is what dreams are made of. It is something we will never forget.”

Carl added: “Christmas is about the kids! My 11-year-old god-daughter Ruby got her early Christmas present — a lesson on the one and only gold medallist Valegro.”

Ruby has had a successful season kicking off her dressage career, finishing fifth at the regional championships riding Ramnor Beau Supreme at novice, and also taking over the ride on the successful international dressage pony Le Chiffre.

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She is also a member of the English vaulting squad and has competed internationally in vaulting this year.

Blueberry retired from competition in an emotional ceremony at Olympia in December 2016, having broken every word record and claimed two individual Olympic titles with Charlotte Dujardin.

A rider who within 12 months has been diagnosed with cancer and undergone major surgery to remove all the organs from her pelvic cavity is now aiming to complete the Wobbleberry challenge.

Rachel Copping underwent a pelvic exenteration in May, as the cancer in her cervix, for which she had been treated, had spread.

She spent five weeks in hospital, and now has two stomas, as both her bladder and bowel were removed in the radical surgical treatment.

“It was either have that or I wouldn’t have any life – I’d die,” Rachel told H&H.

“They didn’t tell me how long I’d live for; I didn’t ask.

“I just thought, I don’t want to die yet. I was 36 then, and I thought this isn’t the end for me, it can’t be.”

Rachel was diagnosed with cervical cancer last September. She underwent chemotherapy and brachytherapy – a form of internal radiotherapy – and her doctors were positive about her prognosis.

When Rachel started showing bowel symptoms, it was at first thought this was an effect of the radiation, then that just a hysterectomy might be effective – but later scans found the cancer had spread and the exenteration was needed.

“It’s strange because although everyone says it was major surgery, I still don’t really believe it was; I don’t believe so much of me has been taken away, and although I still have the two stomas, I’m no different in myself,” she said.

“I’m in pain most days and it’s a struggle to get out of bed but I don’t see myself as having had cancer or major surgery; if I was in a line-up and someone asked all those who had cancer to step up, I wouldn’t, as I’d think ‘that’s not me’.

“The hardest thing is that a year ago, I didn’t feel ill, but now, after it all, I feel worse than I ever have. I understand it’s saved my life but it’s also hard to really understand why I’ve put myself through it all when I felt ok.”

In 2017, Rachel bought a two-year-old in hope of eventing her. But when she learned her cancer had spread, and thought she would never ride again, she found her “the best home possible”, with a rider whose horse had to be retired after an injury.

Since her operation, she has been back in the saddle a few times, on her former racer and dressage horse Dushy, on whom she hopes to complete her Wobbleberry challenge.

“For the first two months after the operation, I didn’t want to go to the yard,” Rachel said. “When I saw my horse, all I could see was the life I’d had before and I couldn’t be around it all.

“But my wonderful friend Lili Brooksby-Dalby picked me up from home – and it’s a 40-minute drive – and took me to hers.

“It was funny because I was excited about going, then the closer it got, the more I didn’t want to go. I have issues sleeping, eating, and the aspects of dealing with the stomas; not being in control of them and the noise.

“The anxiety of it all made me try to cancel but she just said ‘Tough, I’m coming to get you.’ She’s got five horses and I sat and watched her ride, and thought ‘I miss this so much’.

“It was the time she spent with me that put me back where I belonged. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without her; she’s done more for me than anyone has ever done.”

Straight after this visit, Rachel told her partner she wanted to ride again, and asked the girls at her livery yard to start bringing Dushy back into work.

She was back on board in mid-September.

“I cried,” Rachel said. “As soon as my bottom hit that saddle, I cried, and so did the girls. I think they thought it was pain at first but it was because I felt like me again.

“I’d lost so much of myself; not just physically but mentally, as I’d been in a lot of dark places, and I felt like I was home again.”

Rachel says she did not know where the idea of undertaking the Wobbleberry challenge, to complete a BE80(T) event came from, but that as she had thought she would never event again, and the challenge gives her something to aim for.

“I love dressage and so does Dushy but she also loves jumping,” Rachel said. “Even if we get that one chance to do it, we’ll do it.

“Life’s too short to live it on what-ifs. You never think anything’s going to happen to you, but it does, and life’s too precious. You only get one life, so you need to make sure that whatever you want to do, go out and do it. No one else can do it for you.”

Rachel has had to overcome not only the pain caused by adhesions in her remaining intestines, but practical matters such as dismounting without disturbing the bags attached to her stomas. She also has to build her strength back up, as she has lost not only her core strength but also three and a half stone.

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‘I’d rather ride than have a longer life without horses’: inspirational young rider will not let illness control her life

‘If something does happen, I know I’ve had a fulfilling life; that’s all anyone can ask for’

‘I’m very lucky’: Jonty and Art jump first cross-country fences since accident

‘Life’s going to be very different – there’s no getting away from that – but different doesn’t mean worse’

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“The issue is that some days I can’t eat, other days, I eat and then I’m sick; it’s a complete nightmare sometimes,” she said.

“But I want to build back up; I want to try to get some physio and a personal trainer, and I’m doing little and often with the riding. Once I’m able to, I’ll start flat lessons again, then do a dressage test, then start jumping and aim to do the event at the end of next season.”

Rachel said completing the challenge would mean she felt she is living the life she wanted.

“I’m not being a martyr, but if I sat there and did nothing, thinking of the what-ifs and not pushing myself – when you get cancer, you can’t let it rule your life, it can’t define you,” she said.

“I’ve still got my life and I want to make the most of it.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

The London Knights, led by Britain’s Ben Maher, won the Global Champions League (GCL) leg at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) of New York this afternoon (Saturday, 28 September). In doing so, the London Knights also won the overall series title.

European champions Martin Fuchs and Clooney 51 paired up with silver medallists Ben Maher and Explosion W for the New York leg of this team competition, the first time these two stellar horses have worked together in the GCL.

“We had to win here to have a chance of victory overall and these two are the best horses in the world at the moment — the dream team,” said Ben after the pair took the lead yesterday with the fastest combined time of the two teams to record a zero score.

In the end, victory came easily today. Valkenswaard United were unable to repeat their fault-free performances of yesterday, with four faults apiece for Marcus Ehning (A La Carte NRW) and Alberto Zorzi (Cinsey), which dropped them to sixth.

The London Knights started knowing they could afford a fence down and still win, or even two if they beat the combined time of 149.72 seconds set by the Paris Panthers. Clears from both Martin and Ben — in 148.18 seconds — confirmed their triumph.

This was London Knights’ second year in a row taking the GCL series title, with Ben and Martin joined in the team by Olivier and Nicola Philippaerts, Gudrun Patteet and Ben’s pupil Emily Moffitt.

“This year we’ve found our strength in depth — we’ve had ups and downs and used every rider and multiple horses,” said Ben. “It was very exciting to win here at the end and it went right down to the wire, but my horse gave me a great ride.”

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140 horses, 2 ferries and 18 months of planning: how this amazing New York island show was born

Ahead of today’s Longines Global Champions Tour showdown, we find out how this show on an island in New York

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Ellen’s in after reshuffle of British team for crucial Nations Cup final

The Paris Panthers moved up from eighth overnight to second in this leg with clears today from Irishman Darragh Kenny (Romeo 88) and Harrie Smolders (Monaco).

The Prague Lions took third today, represented by Niels Bruynseels (Garcia De Muse) and Marc Houtzager (Sterrehof’s Dante), with Marco Kutscher (Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior) also contributing yesterday.

In the season race, the San Tropez Pirates took second — having led the rankings coming into New York — with the Madrid In Motion landing third.

Full report from the Longines Global Champions Tour in New York in next week’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 3 October). 

The owner of a mare who was saved by a fire and rescue service when she was unable to get to her feet has urged others to sign a petition to prevent cuts to the service.

Helen Hanly from Windlesham, Surrey, arrived at her friend Kirsty Hewitt’s yard to find her 25-year-old Arab mare Mikarlla lying down in the field on Tuesday morning (23 April).

Helen told H&H: “I’ve owned Mikarlla since she was seven and in all that time I’ve never seen her lie down – I was shocked. I called over to her and she sat up, but when I got closer she couldn’t get up and I thought ‘something’s not right’.

“I don’t know if she had tried to roll and got stuck in the long grass but she’d been slipping in the dew and dug a hole for herself. She is arthritic in one leg and she must have been down for some time as the skin had been scraped off her back legs.”

Helen and the yard owners were unable to get Mikarlla to her feet so called Scott Dunn’s Equine Clinic vets and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service.

“Mikarlla is a feisty mare and a former endurance horse with lots of stamina, but she was exhausted. At one point she flopped back down with her head in my lap, she looked so vulnerable,” said Helen.

“The fire service were brilliant and said they would send a special unit from Painshill fire station and crews from Camberley and Esher. The vet, Amy McCarthy, arrived to sedate Mikarlla and the fire brigade worked their magic and lifted her using a hoist.

“I was told by the fire service if we had phoned 15 minutes later they wouldn’t have been able to come because of cuts they are making to the fire services’ core hours.”

Helen said the fire service saved Mikarlla’s life.

“She wouldn’t be here without them. They were marvellous – so professional and calm. They made a point of explaining everything they doing and really prepared us. The whole thing was seamless,” she said.

“When they got her up everyone was clapping – it was really emotional. You could see it meant a lot to the crew, it was a really lovely outcome.”

Helen wants others to show support for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, which is going through a consultation period and could have to make cuts and introduce animal rescue charges as part of the Making Surrey Safer Plan 2020-2023 that aims to set out how the fire service responds to incidents and uses resources. A petition has been started to scrap plans to leave seven major fire appliances un-crewed at night.

“Mikarlla is a bit battered and bruises but she is walking about,” said Helen. “It was a really lovely outcome but it really struck me what if the fire service hadn’t been there – my horse could have been gone.

“I want everyone to be aware that this fire service needs promoting and saving. The equine community is a big community; we’re busy and sometimes think ‘not another petition’ but you just never know when you might need their help. It’s not just equestrians, many of us are drivers – there could be an accident on the motorway which needs specialist lifting equipment. The thought of having less of this service in any shape or form – you might not think you need it until something happens.”

Click here to view the petition

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Fire service considers charging for equine rescue: have your say

Owners have until 26 May to express their views

Owner praises ‘incredible’ fire service for trying to save her horse

‘We knew we weren’t going to get him up on our own and would need the fire brigade’

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A spokesman for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service told H&H: “It’s important to recognise we’ve put forward a wide-ranging improvement plan for a service that the inspectorate insists we improve. We are confident our proposals will save lives. What protects people is stopping fires before they start. Fire prevention work saves lives, especially older and disabled people, and that’s why we’re proposing to carry out four times as many fire prevention visits each year.

“Our proposals include substantial investment in training crews, new fire engines and new technology which will speed up response times when the service is busiest.

“The fire and rescue service maintains a response to animal rescue incidents both day and night, throughout the year, and this is supported by both specially trained personnel, specialist assets and partners where required.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

International heartbreaker Teddy The Shetland is spreading Christmas cheer by reenacting scenes from iconic festive films.

The diminutive Shetland stars in the advert for the Betfair Tingle Creek Christmas Festival, held at Sandown Park from 7 to 8 December.

The palomino pony dons some festive hats and rugs to replicate Elf and Home Alone before tugging at the heartstrings in an emotional portrayal of Love Actually.

Teddy takes on the role of Mark, played by actor Andew Lincoln in the 2003 Richard Curtis production, with a spaniel pal playing the role of Juliet, originally portrayed by Keira Knightley.

Teddy “works” the radio with his muzzle and sports the placards across his chest in a nod to the “to me, you are perfect” scene in which Mark declares his love for his best friend’s wife, Juliet.

The pony’s “day job” is as a therapy pony, visiting hospices, schools and nursing homes.

He has also participated in numerous charity events and campaigns as a mascot for Hannah’s Wilberry Wonder Pony Charity. He is owned by Alice Goring, H&H amateur of the year 2017, who works full time in osteoporosis research.

No stranger to the limelight, Teddy has more than 108,000 Instagram followers and can often be found on the guestlist to society events, including the Global Champions Tour in London and the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.

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Teddy starred in the 2017 Tingle Creek advertising campaign, where the crisis of a double-booking with the farrier and a day at the races was avoided, meaning the pony’s racing dreams came true. He also played the part of a racehorse trainer vying for the championship title this spring ahead of the Bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown in April.

There are 10 entered for the Grade One feature race of this week’s festival, the Tingle Creek Chase.

The Nicky Henderson-trained star Altior heads the quality list of entries and is joined by Sceau Royal, Saint Calvados, Un De Sceaux, Min, Great Field, Special Tiara, God’s Own, Speredek and Gino Trail. The final declarations are at 10am on Thursday (6 December).

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

The third Horse & Hound Awards came to a climax last night with the presentation of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement Award to Captain Mark Phillips.

“Our Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement Award winner this year is a former winner of Badminton and Burghley, and a two-time Olympic medallist. Today he is one of the greatest cross-country course-designers in the world and a renowned coach,” said H&H magazine editor Pippa Roome as she presented the award to Mark at the ceremony at Cheltenham racecourse.

Mark said he was “overwhelmed” to receive the Award, after the announcement of his name brought many people in the room to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation.

Asked to give his favourite moment from his different careers, Mark said: “That’s a difficult question!

“All the way from the Pony Club to winning Badminton to the first time you have a flag under your saddle, to Olympic medals, taking gold with a team at the World Championships [as coach to the USA in 2002] — there have been so many.”

Captain Mark Phillips, winner of the 2018 Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement Award. Picture by Peter Nixon

Mark is the third recipient of the award, which has also gone to Nick Skelton — winner of the award in 2016 after his individual gold at the Rio Olympics — and the 11th Duke of Beaufort, whose widow Miranda, Duchess of Beaufort, accepted the award on his behalf last year.

In a video played at the ceremony last night night, Burghley director Liz Inman, course-builder and designer David Evans and riders Andrew Nicholson, Andrew Hoy and Phillip Dutton paid tribute to Mark’s contribution to the horseworld and his friendship.

“He is truly a great man and we are fortunate to have him in our lives,” said Phillip, who was a frequent member of the US eventing squad during the 20-year period when Mark was the team coach.

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Mark won Badminton four times (1971 and 1972 on Great Ovation, 1974 on Columbus and 1981 on Lincoln) and Burghley in 1973 on Maid Marion. He was a member of the British team which won gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics, riding Standing Ovation and of the silver medal-winning team at Seoul in 1988 with Cartier.

He was also a European team gold medallist at Burghley in 1971 on Great Ovation. At World Championships, Mark collected team gold in 1970 in Punchestown riding Chicago and team silver in 1974 at Burghley riding Columbus.

As a course-designer, Mark is particularly associated with Burghley, where he has designed the track 25 times. His other prestigious course-design jobs include the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe, an event where he also holds the role of chairman, and Barbury. He designed the track for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA, earlier this year.

Mark is also a renowned coach and having spent 25 years as a national team coach, he continues to train riders across the levels.

Mark is H&H’s longest-standing magazine columnist, contributing his outspoken and forthright views frequently during the eventing season.

Read more about the third H&H Awards in next week’s magazine, out Thursday 15 November.