Mary King

Horse & Hound columnist

Mary King joined H&H’s team of eventing columnists in 2018. She is one of the most successful and popular British event riders of her generation.

Mary has won Badminton twice (1992 on King William and 2000 on Star Appeal) and Burghley once (1996 on Star Appeal). Mary also won the US four-star at Kentucky in 2011 on home-bred Kings Temptress. She achieved a one-two at the event by also taking the runner-up spot on Fernhill Urco.

The Devon-based rider has also been a multi-medal winner with the British team. She has ridden at six Olympics, taking team silver in 2004 in Athens (King Solomon III), team bronze in 2008 in Hong Kong (Call Again Cavalier) and team silver in 2012 in London (Imperial Cavalier).

Mary has also won three team medals at World Equestrian Games — gold in 1994 at The Hague (King William), silver in 2006 in Aachen (Call Again Cavalier) and gold in 2010 in Kentucky (Imperial Cavalier).

Mary has also won seven European Championship medals — team gold in 1991 at Punchestown (King William), team gold and individual bronze in 1995 in Pratoni del Vivaro (King William), team gold in 1997 at Burghley (Star Appeal), team gold and individual silver in 2007 in Pratoni del Vivaro (Call Again Cavalier) and team bronze in 2011 in Luhmuhlen (Imperial Cavalier).

Mary’s daughter Emily is a rising star in the eventing world. She won a junior individual silver medal in 2012 on Mr Hiho and young rider team gold in 2015 on Loxley. In 2018, she was crowned under-25 national champion at Bramham riding Dargun. She was also fourth on her four-star debut at Pau in 2015, riding Brookleigh.