In a career spanning almost 20 years Mary King has become one of British Eventing’s icons and a regular member of the British team.

The risks of riding were brought home to her in 2001 when she broke her neck in a fall, from which she fortunately fully recovered. For many young mothers that would have been a signal to hang up their boots but Mary fought her way back to fitness and back into the British squad for the World Championships in 2002.

After finishing fourth at Badminton in 2003 with King Solomon III, Mary was named as a reserve for the European Championships and came into the squad as an individual following Kristina Cook’s injury at Burghley. A typically gutsy performance across country resulted in fifth place.

By her own admission Mary, now 42, finds it extraordinary that she became interested in horses as her parents were anything but keen. Her father, a retired naval officer, became a verger and at the age of six Mary began to ride the vicar’s pony. 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 – anything to fund her eventing career.

She became head girl to Sheila Willcox, a former European Champion and Badminton winner, and in 1985 she made her Badminton debut, finishing in seventh position. In 1992 she added her name to the famous trophy with her great horse King William, the only horse to accumulate more than 2000 points in competition, and she achieved her second Badminton victory in 2000 with Star Appeal.

Her glittering career has brought four team gold medals at World and European Championships and the title of British Champion a record four times. She has also represented Britain at five Olympic Games, and was on the bronze medal winning team at the Beijing Olypics in 2008.

Always a popular choice, Mary formed part of gold medal winning team at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010, coming sixth with Imperial Cavalier. She also came fourth at Badminton.

Mary is married with two children and lives near Sidmouth in Devon.

With thanks to Team GBR.