When horses reach a certain level of success and fame it can feel as if they have become public property — with everyone having an opinion on the horse’s care, to how it is worked and competed.

But is the pressure of riding — and, especially, taking on — such high-profile horses too much for riders?

Is it unfair that they are burdened with such responsibility?

During the past couple of years, eventer Laura Collett has been thrown into the spotlight after taking on legendary racehorse Kauto Star.

When the horse retired in 2012 with victories in two Cheltenham Gold Cups, four Betfair Chases and a record five King George VI Chases to his name, owner Clive Smith, in consultation with Retraining of Racehorses, moved the horse from trainer Paul Nicholls’ yard in Ditcheat to Laura’s Lambourn base.

The aim was to retrain him for a career in dressage and, as one of the most successful and popular National Hunt stars of all time, it was an “honour and a privilege”, said Laura, to take him on.

His owner Clive Smith wanted the horse to be kept active in retirement and added: “I wanted to give him a nice time for the rest of his life.”

However, as soon as he moved, the horse was subject to constant scrutiny.

Last month (29 June) the 15-year-old gelding was put down following a field accident. A social media debate ensued, which left Laura saying she felt “bullied and hurt” by accusations that she’d lied about the circumstances of his death.

“It’s been a harrowing week but I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shown their kind support,” she said, declining to comment further.

Charlotte Alexander also understands the pressure of taking on a famous horse, having had Foxhunter winner Earthmover and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman in her charge.

“The worry of something going wrong is more enormous than if it is an unknown horse,” she told H&H.

In order to counter this she competes Denman under an alias in unaffiliated events, which she does as training for his main sports — hunting and team chasing.

“Sometimes no one recognises him, and sometimes people do and are thrilled to see him,” she added.

She added that the pressure was “huge” when she went hunting at Ditcheat earlier this year, his home of so many years when in training with Paul Nicholls.

“I was so proud of him and it was lovely that people were amazed at what a sensible hunter he had become,” she said.

“Denman is just as precious to me as any of my other horses as I love them all dearly. It is handling people’s expectations that is where the pressure comes from. There is nothing more amazing than riding a horse of such quality at speed over hedges. I am spoilt to have the experience of riding such an amazing athlete as Denman.”

‘People would say, is that him?’

The issue is particularly felt in ex-racehorses, due to racing being the second biggest spectator sport in the country after football, but other disciplines are not exempt.

Yasmin Ingham took on Imperial Cavalier last year when she was just 17, after Mary King’s Olympic silver medal winner was retired after Badminton.

Yasmin was going to Aston-le-Walls with another horse for the Davies, Imperial Cavalier’s owners, when they asked her to pick up “Archie”.

“I was gobsmacked that he was even on my yard,” she said. “And when they offered me the ride I almost dropped to the floor. It was the best day of my life.”

Yasmin said that although it was an “amazing feeling” she did feel the pressure.

“When we first went out I could hear people saying, ‘Is that him?’ and it did make me nervous,” she added. “I felt I had to do well. But as the year went on my confidence grew. We gelled quickly.”

Mary still keeps in touch, and the pair have been long-listed for the Junior Europeans.

“It is daunting — you’re so worried something might go wrong, and you have the responsibility of looking after a valuable horse,” added Yasmin. “But horses are horses; with any of them you just want them to be happy and healthy.”

Big footsteps to fill

When Matthias Rath took over the ride on Totilas from Edward Gal in 2010 it ended weeks of speculation about who would have charge of the popular stallion.

The star had gained many followers, not all of whom were pleased to see the partnership with Edward end.

Matthias was just 26 when the horse was bought by his stepmother Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff and Paul Schockemöhle.

“Of course I am very happy to ride the world’s best dressage horse. I know it is a big challenge to fill Edward’s footsteps,” he said at the time.

However, under Matthias a string of illnesses and injures, to both rider and horse, have been less in the spotlight in recent times. The pair recently made their comeback at Hagen and are currently aiming at the European Championships, having missed the World Equestrian Games in 2014 due to injury.

Concentrate on yourself

In comparison showjumper Trevor Breen took gaining the ride on Loughnatousa WB after the horse won the 2102 Hickstead Derby with Paul Beecher in his stride.

“I suppose ultimately when you take on a horse, what he’s done in the past is irrelevant,” he told H&H.

“If you’re caught up with what they’ve done before, you will never go forward. You have to ride them the best you can. Some people get on better with some horses than others. Horses I do well on might not go so well for others, and vice versa.”

Rider, trainer, and master practitioner in NLP (neurolinguistic programming) Lucy Thompson told H&H: “Riders are very good at feeling they’re not worthy of this top horse they’ve taken on, but it’s terribly important to accept the horse doesn’t know more, it just knows it in a different language so they have to learn together.

“The insecurity comes from the horror of letting the horse down.

“You just have to say ‘aren’t I lucky’ and accept the fact people are going to talk about it and watch you. Anything you can’t change you have to develop a thick skin about, and anything you can change you have to work hard on.

“I didn’t find it easy to take on Welton Romance from Ginny Elliott, but I just thought I need to worry about the relationship with the horse, no one else, and make it super.”

Ref: H&H 15 July, 2015

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

Mary King has retired Imperial Cavalier from top-level competition.

Mary and “Archie’s” owners, Eddie and Sue Davies and their daughter Janette Chinn, announced the decision today (Thursday 15 May).

“His enthusiasm for the sport and for life in general was second to none. He has retired fit, sound and healthy,” said Mary.

The 17-year-old competed at Badminton at the weekend (10 May) but retired during the cross-country phase.

Archie had looked after Mary when she nearly became unstuck at the Owl Hole, but they pulled up shortly afterwards at fence 16 — the Mirage Pond.

Mary said Archie will spend his retirement at Janette’s home in Cheshire, where he will enjoy an “active” retirement

The popular gelding, who is by Cavalier Royale, has had a successful and memorable career with Mary.

He was part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and the bronze medal-winning team at the 2011 Europeans.

The pair also won team silver at London 2012.

Britain’s World Class equestrian performance director Will Connell added: “I have been lucky enough to watch this combination at numerous championships where they have helped bring medals home for GB. I wish Archie well in his retirement.”

For a full Badminton report don’t miss today’s issue of H&H out now (15 May).

For more on Imperial Cavalier see next week’s issue of H&H — out 22 May.

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

The future of Mary King’s top event horse is undecided after he was retired from the cross-country at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials this weekend (8-11 May).

A local newspaper had reported that 17-year-old Imperial Cavalier, known as Archie, was going to be retired. However, Mary told H&H this was not necessarily the case.

“I am meeting with his owners at Aston-le-Walls on Wednesday (14 May) and we will make a decision then,” Mary said this afternoon (Monday 12 May).

“He is very well in himself.”

Mary and Archie had a very sticky moment at the Outlander Bank Owl Hole on Saturday (10 May) but managed to recover. But Mary then retired him 3 fences later when he had a refusal at the second element of the Mirage Pond.

Badminton final scores

“I really thought the relentlessly big cross-country course was right up Archie’s street, and I am sure it would have been if the ground conditions hadn’t been so energy sapping, and if he had been a few years younger,” Mary said on her Facebook page.

“He felt a bit flat and I had no hesitation at retiring when he stopped at the 2nd part of fence 16.

“There were so many problems throughout the day with only 23 out of the 87 starters going clear, and no-one getting the time. Luckily there were no horses or riders badly hurt.”

Archie was a member of Britain’s silver medal winning team at the London Olympics and had been on great form this season — winning the advanced intermediate at Aldon (14 March) and finishing 3rd in the CIC*** at Belton Park (4 April).

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

Mary King has a lean yard of just four horses to compete this season. But she says she is “quite happy”, as it will give her more time to help daughter Emily.

London 2012 team silver medallist Imperial Cavalier is “fit and well” and being aimed at Badminton, after picking up a tendon injury last year.

“He’s getting to be an old man [he’s 17], but he’s very well in himself,” Mary told H&H.

But Kings Temptress, who damaged a tendon in 2013, is not returning just yet.

“We’re giving her some more time to recover so she won’t be competing this spring and we might do a bit more breeding,” said Mary.

“Depending on how she goes and subject to scans, she might do the autumn season and Burghley.”

Eddie and Sue Davies’ Fernhill Urco — whom Mary retired on the cross-country at Kentucky last year — has gone to young rider Yasmin Ingham.

“He’s susceptible to injury, so we decided it would be best if he dropped back to a lower level and competed with a younger rider,” Mary explained.

The six-times Olympian had a tough time in 2013. As well as her two top horses picking up injuries, she suffered a heavy fall from Kings Temptress at Salperton and fell from Imperial Cavalier at Barbury, which meant she missed out on Europeans selection.

This season, Mary will be aiming MHS King Joules at Bramham and the six-year-old Kings Choice at Tattersalls CCI*. She also has a five-year-old, King Don, who will start his eventing career.

Much of Mary’s focus will be on helping Emily, who turns 18 later this month, step up to three-star.

“She’s very excited,” said Mary, adding that Emily — who has six horses — aims to take Mr Hiho and Brookleigh to the under-25 championships at Bramham.

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

Mary King has announced Imperial Cavalier and Kings Temptress will both miss the autumn eventing season due to minor tendon injuries.

The 6-time Olympian has had a hard time during the past couple of months. She was knocked unconscious in a heavy fall from Kings Temptress at Salperton Horse Trials (22 June). A fortnight later she had a fall from Imperial Cavalier when exiting the second water complex at Barbury Horse Trials (4-7 July).

Following these tumbles selectors did not include Mary on the European Championships squad, opting to try out new, younger combinations instead.

Mary, 52, said: “I am having a bit of a low spot at the moment.

“Gosh, the ups and downs of this sport are hard. Mind you, I’ve been at it long enough so should know that’s how it goes!

“I always say to people to keep your chin up when you are having a down time and enjoy the good times to the full, as they won’t last for ever!”

The injuries to Imperial Cavalier and Kings Temptress mean that Mary does not have a ride for the British Open Championships at Gatcombe (2-4 August) or Burghley Horse Trials (5-8 September). However Mary will still be competing at Gatcome as she has MHS King Joules and Cavalier Venture in the intermediate championships.

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

Mary King plans to take Apache Sauce to Badminton (7-10 May) but has withdrawn Imperial Cavalier, after seven horses on her yard came down with a viral infection.

Mary and Imperial had to pull out of the Rolex Kentucky four-star this week when he became ill and she says he will not return to work for a couple more weeks.

“We’ve had the virus on the yard for about a month now and all the horses have had it apart from my daughter Emily’s horse King Joules,” said Mary.

“Imperial still has a low red blood cell count and is a bit lethargic,” she added.

She said she hoped Imperial Cavalier would be recovered in time for Tattersalls (28-31 May) or Luhmuhlen (11-14 June) but would take Apache Sauce to Badminton as long as he remains well.

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

William Fox-Pitt will be riding the 2007 Burghley winner Parkmore Ed at this summer’s Olympic Games.

Selectors have chosen Philip Adkins’ 15-year-old Parkmore Ed over William’s two other possible horses, Tamarillo and Ballincoola, following last weekend’s (4-6 July) Barbury Castle CIC***.

William finished the Wiltshire event with all three horses in the top five, with Parkmore Ed second, Ballincoola fourth and Tamarillo fifth.

Mary King will be riding Edwin and Sue Davies and Janette Chinn’s 16-year-old Call Again Cavalier.

William and Parkmore Ed and Mary and Call Again Cavalier join Tina Cook with Miners Frolic, Daisy Dick with Spring Along and Sharon Hunt with Tankers Town to make up the GBR Olympic three-day event team.

The Olympic horses will have one final outing at Aston-le-Walls on 18-19 July, although some horses may not run cross-country.

Reserve horses are Daisy’s Hope Street, William’s Ballincoola / Tamarillo and Mary’s Imperial Cavalier.

Reserve combinations are Georgie Davies and Fachoudette, Pippa Funnell and Ensign, Rodney Powell and Zinzan II, Oliver Townend and Coup De Coeur, Lucy Wiegersma and Shaabrak and Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz.

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