Mary King Interview

Three-day eventing world number-one Mary King lives with her husband David and their two children, Emily, 16, and Freddie, 12.
I didn't come from a typically horsey family. My father was a lieutenant commander in the Royal Navy, but a motorcycle accident left him with a severe, personality-changing head injury. The way my mother coped was extraordinary. He died in 2000 and it was desperately sad because his life could have been very different.
The vicar in our village had ponies and I was taken with them. I was allowed to ride his pony Silver - a very grumpy pony who would bite Mum as she led me around the country lanes on him.
I was a hopeless rider at first, but I was very determined. When I was 12 my grandfather gave us some money to buy my first pony - Butterboy. Mum bought a rusty old truck to take him to shows, and I was so embarrassed by it, I'd make Mum park at the end of the field.
The first time I went to the Badminton Horse Trials with my riding club, I was amazed at how rich the riders looked. From that day I knew what I was aiming for - to compete at Badminton. As soon as I left school at 16 I started training with Sheila Willcox, the first female eventing professional, which I funded with a part-time job cooking.
I was five months pregnant with my daughter Emily when I competed in the European Championships in 1996. I completely trusted my horse and we won a gold medal!
I'd love to add a gold Olympic medal to my collection, but London 2012 will be my sixth Olympics and that's an achievement in itself. Greenwich Park will be a challenge, but it will be wonderful to compete in front of a home crowd.
Emily has followed me into the sport, and my mum still drives us to competitions. We don't have time for the usual mother and daughter things - it's all horse! Emily reckons we'll both be competing at the next Olympics, but who knows?
To see Mary King's range of clothing, visit joules.com.
-
-
The best skin care routine for rosacea: a go-to guide to care and products
We asked an expert for the best advice and skin care routine for rosacea, a common (yet serious) skin condition.
By Courtney Leiva •
-
Everything you need to know about dressing to flatter a rectangle body shape
Lucky you! A rectangle body shape is one of the easiest body types to dress, all thanks to your slender physique.
By Jess Beech •
-
Taylor Swift criticizes Netflix’s 'deeply sexist joke' about her dating history
Taylor Swift has criticized Netflix for their use of a 'sexist' joke about her in their new series Ginny & Georgia
By Laura Harman •
-
Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan hits back at body shamers
Nicola Coughlan has shut down rude body shamers on social media
By Laura Harman •
-
Britney Spears shares a rare photo of her sons on Instagram
Britney Spears is a ‘cool mom’ and shares an adorable family photo on social media
By Laura Harman •
-
Prince William wrote an angry letter to the paparazzi to protect Kate's privacy
Just like his brother Harry, he's protective too
By Sarah Finley •
-
Jennifer Garner reveals her children are 'heartbroken' by the pandemic
Jennifer Garner has shared her struggles on seeing her children suffering
By Emma Dooney •
-
Ellen Pompeo hints her 'Grey's Anatomy' exit could be in sight
Ellen Pompeo has spoken about her future on Grey’s Anatomy
By Laura Harman •
-
Gillian Anderson’s accent astounds fans during Golden Globes acceptance speech
The Crown actor easily moves between accents
By Emma Shacklock •
-
Who designed Kate Middleton’s wedding dress?
The couple tied the knot in 2011...
By Georgia Farquharson •