King William – A life in pictures
A legend in his own lifetime. King William was the first event horse to clock up more than 2,000 BHTA points.
Making it look absolutely effortless – Badminton 1995 and William produces his usual characteristic clear, cross-country to finish in 14th place.
“Happy to jump whatever he was pointed at”, remembers Mary King.
Living up to his name, a regal King William waits his turn at the trot up at Badminton in 1995.
As a youngster his rider remembers that William struggled with flatwork. However, as he matured, William showed a talent that often left him leading after the dressage, as demonstrated here at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Of the three disciplines William found show jumping the hardest particularly at a three-day.At Blenheim in 1997, he finished third after accumulating 15 penalties.
The ultimate water baby – William at Blenheim in 1997 proving that water was not a problem.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
The trophy everyone wants to win. Mary and King William celebrating their 1992 Badminton win.
Eating up the ground between fences en route for bronze in the 1995 European Championships in Italy.
When two become one – Mary and William demonstrating their unique partnership heading for home during their epic winning round at Badminton in 1992.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
