So close to gold
WHAT seems a long time ago writing in 2020, I used to ride Pony Club competitions from Prince Philip mounted games, one-day events, show ponies, hacks, ladies’ hacks and then on to senior one- and three-day eventing. I was very fortunate to experience the extreme highs and lows of ponies and horses.
This photo was taken at the European Three-Day Eventing Championships at Burghley in September 1971. I was in the British team that won and I was second individually to Princess Anne, who won the gold medal.
Unfortunately my stirrup leather broke on the cross-country and in the photo you can see that my left leg is without a leather and stirrup.
A year later I was chosen for the Olympic three-day event team but very sadly my horse, Baccarat, was lame for the first time in his life on the morning of the competition, so at 7am I was substituted by Bridget Parker, who with Cornish Gold helped Britain to win the gold medal.
Baccarat was known for his brilliant and accurate jumping at great speed on the crosscountry and showjumping, although he was only 15.1½hh. I was fortunate to have had him. Dressage was a nightmare, but jumping was great fun and he was an enormous character in a small package.
They were a long time ago but I can still recall the occasions very well. Happy memories – it is amazing how much can change over the years.
“I was second to Princess Anne – my stirrup leather broke on the cross-country”
DEBBIE LEE