Meet Mary King
Horse: Call Again Cavalier, 14yo 16.2hh bay gelding, by Cavalier Royal VII
Age: 44
Championship experience: Her glittering career has included four team gold medals at World and European Championships. She has also represented Britain at the last four Olympic Games and has been British Champion on four occasions.
Recent form
It seems incredible that a rider from the golden eventing era of the 80s/90s can still be at the very top of her game, but Mary King continues to compete at the highest level when most of her compatriots hung up their boots long before. After breaking her neck in 2001 many people thought Mary might retire, but she has battled back to fitness and back to the top of the sport to represent her country once again.
Mary was named for the WEG squad prior to Badminton so she didn’t run Call Again Cavalier, but she finished 18th with Cashel Bay. Since Badminton Mary has been placed at Punchestown two-star, Twesledown two-star and Barbury Castle three-star, where she was third with Cashel Bay. Many in Britain are hoping her run of good form continues in Aachen.
Major results with Call Again Cavalier
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- 4th Burghley CCI**** 2005
- 8th Barbury Castle CIC*** 2005
- Completed Badminton CCI**** 2005
Background
Mary began riding on a vicar’s pony at the age of six. Inspired by a visit to Badminton Horse Trials, Mary worked tirelessly on a butcher’s delivery round and as a gardener, cook and chalet girl to fund her early eventing career. She is married with two children and lives near Sidmouth in Devon.
