| Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning individual gold at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. (theguardian.com, 15 Dec 2021; Instagram profile, 04 Aug 2021) |
| Most influential person in career |
Trainer Steven Smith. (telegraph.co.uk, 06 Aug 2012) |
| Hero / Idol |
British equestrian jumper Robert Smith, German equestrian jumper Ludger Beerbaum. (globalchampionstour.com, 22 Jun 2018) |
| Injuries |
He had surgery on his lower back in January 2020. (fei.org, 04 Aug 2021; britishshowjumping.co.uk, 19 Mar 2021)
In April 2013 he fell and fractured his lower back at the Winter Equestrian Festival [WEF] in Wellington, FL, United States of America. (horseandcountry.tv, 04 Apr 2013)
A shoulder injury suffered in a "bad fall" in January 2023 led to a four-month absence from competition. (horseandhound.co.uk, 31 Mar 2023) |
| Sporting philosophy / motto |
"Work hard. Everyone has different backgrounds, but if you're in the right place, you can always move up the ladder. Make sure you have goals and ambitions, and don't stop until you've achieved them." (landrover.co.uk, 26 May 2015) |
| Awards and honours |
He received the Magic Moment of the Year award at the 2021 Horse & Hound Awards in Great Britain. The award recognised his gold medal in the individual competition at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. (eventingnation.com, 03 Dec 2021)
He and his horse Explosion W received the 2019 5* International Horse and Rider Combination Award at the 2019 British Showjumping Awards Ball. (britishshowjumping.co.uk, 02 Oct 2019)
He and his horse Explosion W received the International Senior Team Horse and Rider Combination Award at the 2018 British Showjumping Awards Ball. (geniusequestrian.com, 08 Oct 2018)
He was named Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire [MBE] in the 2013 New Year Honours list. (benmaher.co.uk, 29 Dec 2012)
He was named the British Showjumping Association [BSJA] Best Up And Coming Rider for 2006. (equestrianteamgbr.co.uk, 26 Jun 2008) |
| Ambitions |
"In our sport, everyday gives us new challenges, there are many accomplishments that I still strive to win. I am looking forward to next year’s Paris Olympics, and I’m very lucky to enjoy my job every day." (countryandtownhouse.com, May 2023) |
| Other information |
STABLES
He runs an equestrian business called Elsenham Stud in Bishop's Stortford, England, where he coaches riders and trains and trades horses. "When I was younger there were many times when I struggled for good horses, good owners and sponsors. In America, young riders go to a professional who manages everything. I saw that, liked it and realised nobody was doing that in England. I wanted to build something so if I didn't win grand prix, I could still pay my bills. It's a big business not just me with three horses going to a show at any time. There are people helping get me to where I need to be. Horses travelling around the world, vets, farriers. I feel responsible for every one of them. They work with me but they're part of the family, and I try to look after everybody and keep a friendly atmosphere." (theguardian.com, 15 Dec 2021; bishopsstortfordindependent.co.uk, 02 Jan 2020; cnn.com, 06 Aug 2018; bbc.com, 15 Dec 2013)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
He has served as the chef d'equipe of the Great Britain jumping team, including at the 2021 Nations Cup event in Wellington, FL, United States of America. (britishequestrian.org.uk, 26 Feb 2021)
CAREER
He almost quit as an athlete just ahead of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, taking another job as he could not see himself making a living from sport. However, he returned to the saddle in time to make his Games bow. (horseandrider.com, 2022) |
| Milestones |
In September 2013 he became the first British jumper in 20 years to be ranked World No.1 by the FEI. In 2005 at age 22, he became the youngest person to have won the Hickstead Derby in England. (express.co.uk, 12 Dec 2013; fei.org, 04 Sep 2013; telegraph.co.uk, 23 Aug 2011) |
FEI Database
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