Mark Todd: reflecting on 25 moments from his glittering career

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Badminton-1985.jpeg
Mark Todd riding Charisma IV over the footbridge
(Image credit: Stuart Newsham for Horse and Hound)

With Mark Todd announcing his retirement from the sport of eventing (28 July) after what has been a glittering career, complete with gold medals, Olympic appearances and five-star triumph, we take a look back through the archives to highlight some of his memorable achievements.

At his first Badminton, Mark and Southern Comfort were 45th after the dressage. But as one of only three inside the time on cross-country day, he was third going into the showjumping — and when When Lucinda Prior-Palmer and Helen Butler came unstuck in the final phase, Mark clinched the title. 1980: Badminton Horse Trials
(Image credit: Bob Sly (from HH archives))

At his first Badminton, Mark and Southern Comfort were 45th after the dressage. But as one of only three inside the time on cross-country day, he was third going into the showjumping — and when When Lucinda Prior-Palmer and Helen Butler came unstuck in the final phase, Mark clinched the title. 1980: Badminton Horse Trials

1980: Badminton Horse Trials
(Image credit: Leslie Lane (from HH archives))

1980: Badminton Horse Trials

Mark strikes a pose with his Badminton trophy — the first of a total of four

1985: Badminton Horse Trials
(Image credit: Stuart Newsham for Horse and Hound)

1985: Badminton Horse Trials

Mark in action on cross-country day with Charisma IV — the horse that he won two Olympic gold medals on in 1984 and 1988.

1988: Gatcombe Park
(Image credit: Elizabeth Furth)

1988: Gatcombe Park

Mark and Charisma — the horse who he describes as ‘the one’.

1991: Burghley Horse Trials
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

1991: Burghley Horse Trials

Mark takes the third of his five Burghley titles in 1991, this time with Welton Greylag.

1992: Barcelona Olympics
(Image credit: www.trevor-meeks-photography.co)

1992: Barcelona Olympics

Mark and Double Take contend the individual showjumping at the Barcelona Olympics, having proudly carried the New Zealand flag at the opening ceremony of the Games.

1994: Badminton Horse Trials
(Image credit: www.trevor-meeks-photography.co)

1994: Badminton Horse Trials

Mark lifts the Badminton trophy for a second time in 1994, with Horton Point.

1995: Badminton Horse Trials
(Image credit: Bob Langrish)

1995: Badminton Horse Trials

Mark goes cross-country at Badminton with only one stirrup in 1995 on Bertie Blunt

1997: Burghley Horse Trials
(Image credit: creditUnknown)

1997: Burghley Horse Trials

Mark takes the fourth of his Burghley wins with Broadcast News.

2000: Sydney Olympics
(Image credit: www.timeincukcontent.com)

2000: Sydney Olympics

Mark and Diamond Hall Red in the team competition at the Sydney Olympics. He won an individual bronze at these Games with Eye Spy II. After Sydney, Mark retired from international competition for the first time.

2008: Beijing Olympics
(Image credit: www.trevor-meeks-photography.co)

2008: Beijing Olympics

Mark comes out of retirement with sponsorship from New Zealand Bloodstock, and returns to the international stage at the Beijing Olympics with Gandalf. The New Zealand team finished in fifth position.

2010: Kentucky World Equestrian Games
(Image credit: www.trevor-meeks-photography.co)

2010: Kentucky World Equestrian Games

Mark is part of the bronze medal-winning team at the World Equestrian Games, with Grass Valley.

2011: Badminton Horse Trials
(Image credit: www.trevor-meeks-photography.co)

2011: Badminton Horse Trials

Mark proves he’s back at the top of his sport, taking the Badminton title with NZB Land Vision.

2011: London Olympics test event
(Image credit: www.trevor-meeks-photography.co)

2011: London Olympics test event

Mark and NZB Campino take part in the test event for the 2012 Games, with the striking London skyline as a backdrop.

2012: London Olympics
(Image credit: Trevor Meeks)

2012: London Olympics

Mark and NZB Campino are part of the bronze medal-winning team in London, where he finished 12th as an individual

2012: at home
(Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

2012: at home

Mark and his son James at home in Wiltshire.

2012: at home
(Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

2012: at home

A rare moment when the eventing stalwart puts his feet up.

2013: Major Milestone
(Image credit: Jon Stroud)

2013: Major Milestone

2013: Leonidas II
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2013: Leonidas II

Mark riding Leonidas II at Blenheim en-route to third place in the eight and nine-year-old CCI4*-S class

2015: Oloa
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2015: Oloa

Mark pilots Oloa around the horse’s first Badminton

2016: Rio Olympics
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2016: Rio Olympics

Mark and Leonidas II tackle the cross-country in Rio, finishing in fourth place individually.

2017: NZB Campino
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

2017: NZB Campino

NZB Campino en-route to fourth place at Badminton in 2017

2018: Kiltubrid Rhapsody
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

2018: Kiltubrid Rhapsody

The grey Kiltubrid Rhapsody at Burghley

2018: McClaren
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

2018: McClaren

Mark at his final championship, riding McClaren at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon

2019: Leonidas II
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

2019: Leonidas II

Gemma Redrup
Gemma Redrup
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.