Mark Todd (equestrian)
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| Medal record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Equestrian | |||
| Olympic Games | |||
| Gold | 1984 Los Angeles | Individual Three Day Event | |
| Gold | 1988 Seoul | Individual Three Day Event | |
| Bronze | 1988 Seoul | Three-Day Event Team | |
| Bronze | 2000 Sydney | Individual Three Day Event | |
| World Championships | |||
| Gold | 1990 Stockholm | Team eventing | |
| Gold | 1998 Rome | Team eventing | |
| European Championships | |||
| Gold | 1997 Mannheim | Individual eventing | |
Mark James Todd, CBE, (born March 1, 1956) is a New Zealand horseman who was voted Rider of the 20th Century by the International Equestrian Federation, (Fédération Equestre Internationale).
Born in rural Cambridge in the heart of the Waikato on the North Island, Todd was considered by his peers to be the consummate three-day-event horseman.
From small pony club beginnings he went on to win two Olympic Games gold medals, (the first rider to win successive individual three-day-event titles for 60 years), and also won two bronzes. He won the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials on three occasions and the Burghley three-day trials five times. He also won gold medals as a member of the New Zealand team at the World Championships in 1990 (Stockholm) and 1998 (Rome), the European Championships in 1997 (when it was open to the world), plus 20 or more other international events. In 1995, he rode 2/3 of the gruelling Badminton CCI**** course with only one stirrup after his stirrup leather broke, a feat that impressed even the most experienced riders.
Mark Todd was not only a great eventer, but he also competed in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics in the sport of show jumping.
His current horse is a dapple grey called Gandalf. In May 2008 he and Gandalf qualified for the 2008 Olympics at the 3-day event at Samur, France. The New Zealand team is due to be announced in June.
[edit] Charisma
He won back-to-back gold medals on Charisma at Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul 1988. Charisma was a 16 year old when he won the second gold, and he was only the second horse to win two individual gold medals.Charisma, named after Todd's eldest's defining characteristic, and Mark developed a special bond. Such that after their first Olympics, they competed in many major events, winning several, until Charisma's retirement immediately after Seoul.
[edit] Biography
As a youngster, Todd went through a succession of broken bones and tears in pony club events, but he was passionate about horses and persevered. He considered becoming a jockey but quickly grew to 6 ft 2 in which forced him into show jumping instead. Although he was a lanky lad with a high seat, he impressed with his elegant riding and the uncanny rapport he quickly fostered with his mounts, even those he had never ridden before. He was able to coax exceptional jumping feats from some horses which other riders had decided were not worth the effort.
After gaining a Diploma of Agriculture at the Waikato Technical Institute, Todd decided to move to England where he mucked out stables and began to earn event rides. As a total unknown, he entered and won the 1980 Badminton trials on Southern Comfort, and from then on became the most successful individual eventer in equestrian history.
Todd married Carolyn Berry in 1986. He has a daughter called Lauren, and a son, James.
Todd became a popular sportsman in his home country, as were the numerous horses he rode. Most notable was his horse Charisma, the 15.2hh thoroughbred (with 1/16th Percheron) which was retired to a Waikato farm and died aged 30.
He retired from eventing following the 2000 Sydney Olympics to his Rivermonte Farm near Cambridge to breed horses and concentrate on several business ventures, including the manufacture/retail of harness and other tack. He has become a familiar face at race tracks where his thoroughbreds have enjoyed success, including wins in the Wellington Cup and New Zealand Oaks.
Todd's autobiography, So Far So Good, has become a popular seller among the international equestrian scene.
On the 25th January 2008 Horse & Hound announced online that Mark Todd was to make a return to Eventing eight years after he retired in Sydney. He has bought a 10-year old grey called Gandalf who he hopes to ride at Beijing in the Olympics. He made this press statement:
"He was available to be bought, so I flew up to Auckland, tried him out, had him vetted and it all happened very quickly. There wasn't a lot of planning involved, it all just happened," said 51-year-old Mark, whose comeback is being sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock.
On the 19th of May 2008 Todd placed sixth at a three-day equestrian event in Saumur, France. He thus earned the right to represent New Zealand at the Beijing Olympics.
