Mark Todd (equestrian)

Born in Cambridge, New Zealand,{{cite web|title=Famous New Zealanders – Mark Todd|url=http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/kids/famousnewzealanders/mark.asp|publisher=Christchurch City Libraries|access-date=22 April 2012}} he developed a deep and abiding passion for horses.(Todd, 1998 p. 1) He rode at pony club as a youngster and competed at local shows.

Todd considered becoming a jockey but quickly grew to 6 ft 2 in which forced him into show jumping instead. In reference to his riding skills, fellow New Zealand team member, Andrew Nicholson, is quoted as saying "Mark can ride anything – he could go cross-country on a dairy cow!”{{cite web|title=A Tall Order? Not if Your Name is Todd|url=http://www.usefnetwork.com/news/3130/2008/5/27/a_tall_order_not_if_your_name_is_t.aspx|author=Louise Parkes|work=USEF Network |date=27 May 2008}}

On leaving school Todd pursued a career as a farmer, gaining a Diploma of Agriculture at the Waikato Technical Institute, and working on farms while fitting in riding, competing and selling horses.

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In 1978, he was part of New Zealand's first three-day eventing team to contest a world championship, at Lexington, Kentucky, United States. He was 10th after the dressage and second in the steeplechase, but then his horse, Tophunter, broke down during the cross-country stage. Thereafter, Todd moved to England, where he mucked out stables and obtained use of horses for event rides. At his first attempt, in 1980, he won the Badminton Horse Trials riding Southern Comfort. Todd was a virtual unknown when he arrived, with fellow New Zealander Andrew Nicholson as his groom.

Todd is recognized as a pioneer of three-day eventing in New Zealand.{{Attribution needed|reason=according to whom?|date=July 2024}} His success was followed by fellow New Zealand Olympic medallists and world champions Tinks Pottinger, Blyth Tait, Vaughn Jefferis, Vicky Latta, Sally Clark and Nicholson. Jefferis once said: "We all owe a huge debt to Mark Todd. He was the first, and he paved the way for us".{{cite web|title=Biography – Mark Todd|url=https://olympic.org.nz/athletes/mark-todd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522001441/http://www.olympic.org.nz/nzolympic/athlete/mark-todd|url-status=live|archive-date=22 May 2010|publisher=New Zealand Olympic Committee|access-date=22 April 2012}}

Todd became a popular sportsman in his home country and some of the horses he rode also became well known. Most notable was Charisma, the {{hands|15.2}} Thoroughbred (with 1/16 Percheron) Todd rode when winning successive Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1988.{{cite web|title=Kiwis Shed Tears for Charisma|date=11 January 2003 |url=http://www.equisearch.com/horses_riding_training/english/eventing/charisma011103/|publisher=EquiSearch.com|access-date=22 April 2012}} Charisma was retired to a Waikato farm after the Seoul Olympics but appeared with Todd for later public appearances including flag bearing at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland New Zealand. Charisma died aged 30 from a broken shoulder.Todd 1998 p. 56

In 1984 Todd borrowed a yard at Kington St Michael, Wiltshire, from his friend Charles Cottenham, so that he could base himself in England.Mark Todd, Second Chance: The Autobiography (2012), [https://books.google.com/books?id=1_Nd1AlEfU4C&pg=PP31 pp. 30–31]

In the 1985 New Year Honours, Todd was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire,{{London Gazette |issue=49970 |date=31 December 1984 |page=2 |supp=2}} and he was elevated to Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1995 Queen's Birthday Honours.{{cite web |url=https://dpmc.govt.nz/publications/queens-birthday-honours-list-1995 |title=Queen's Birthday honours list 1995 |date=19 October 2012 |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=6 September 2020}}

Todd also competed at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics, where he won an individual bronze medal. His win was somewhat clouded by allegations in the Sunday Mirror that Todd had used cocaine with a homosexual partner prior to final team selection.{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/newswire/2000/09/01/6245020330_afp/ |title=Todd rides out scandal storm |date=1 September 2000 |publisher=CNN Sports Illustrated |access-date=7 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714050857/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/newswire/2000/09/01/6245020330_afp/ |archive-date=14 July 2012 }} The controversy was a matter of national debate,{{cite web|last=Boulware |first=Jack |url=http://archive.salon.com/sex/world/2000/06/28/equestrian/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031106164021/http://archive.salon.com/sex/world/2000/06/28/equestrian/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 November 2003 |title=Horseplay |work=Salon.com |date=28 June 2000 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/columns/joseph-romanos/309261 |title=Greatness still in Todd despite time and troubles |date=11 March 2008 |work=The Southland Times |access-date=20 October 2011}} and almost cost Todd his team selection.Romanos (2008)

Todd retired from international competition following the Olympics and returned to live in New Zealand. Todd and his family moved to Rivermonte Farm near his home town of Cambridge{{cite web|url=http://www.cambridge.co.nz/ |title=Cambridge iSite Visitor & Community Information Centre | Ph +64 (7) 823 3456 | Cambridge Town & Waipa District – Waikato – New Zealand. Quality Local & Business Directory |publisher=Cambridge.co.nz }} in Waikato to breed horses and concentrate on several business ventures, including the manufacture/retail of harness and other tack. His Thoroughbreds enjoyed racing success, including wins in the Wellington Cup{{cite web | url=https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/34486/7/Race-Detail.aspx | title=Race 7 CENTURY CITY DEVELOPMENTS WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 27 JAN 2007 | LOVERACING.NZ }} and New Zealand Oaks.{{cite web|url=https://wellingtonracing.co.nz/new-zealand-oaks-winners |title=New Zealand Oaks Winners}}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QItkeDTJ3I | title=Mark Todd's first Gr.1 Winner - Bramble Rose 2003 NZ Oaks | website=YouTube | date=16 March 2023 }} He remained closely involved with the administration of the eventing, acting as coach for the NZ Olympic Eventing team at Athens in 2004. He continued to compete in eventing at a local level and to support the sport in general.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

On 25 January 2008, Horse & Hound announced online that Mark Todd was to make a return to Eventing eight years after he retired in Sydney. {{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}He purchased a 10-year-old grey called Gandalf to campaign for selection to ride at the 2008 Summer Olympics. His comeback was sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock. {{Promotion inline|date=July 2024}}

On 19 May 2008, Todd placed sixth at a three-day equestrian event in Saumur, France.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} Subsequently, achieving qualification and selection for the Olympics, he put up one of the best performances of the NZ team, in what was only his eighth competition in eight years. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the New Zealand team finished fifth, and Todd placed 17th individually.{{cite web|url=http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2009/02/120.shtml |title=Mark Todd announces full return to eventing | Horsetalk – International horse news |publisher=Horsetalk |date=24 February 2009 }}

Following Beijing, Todd competed for the inaugural Express Eventing International Cup on Gandalf.{{cite web |url=http://www.eeicup.com |title=Express Eventing – Welcome |publisher=Eeicup.com |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201180450/http://www.eeicup.com/ |archive-date=1 February 2009}} However, three refusals in the show jumping portion resulted in a poor placing.{{According to whom|date=July 2024}} In February 2009, Todd announced that he was making a full return to elite level eventing, basing himself in England with a team of up to 8 horses including Gandalf.

Competing at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Todd became the second oldest New Zealand Olympian in history.{{cite web|title=Mark Todd best bet to carry NZ's flag again|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/6786263/Mark-Todd-best-bet-to-carry-NZs-flag-again|publisher=stuff.co.nz|access-date=22 April 2012}}

In the 2013 New Year Honours, Todd was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to equestrian sport."[http://www.dia.govt.nz/MSOS118/On-Line/NZGazette.nsf/6cee7698a9bbc7cfcc256d510059ed0b/0605f7369e500e84cc257b02005d78fa!OpenDocument New Year Honours 2013]" (29 January 2013) 8 The New Zealand Gazette 293.{{cite web | url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/new-year-honours-list-2013 | title=New Year honours list 2013|date=31 December 2012 | publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | access-date=9 January 2018}} His investiture at Buckingham Palace in May 2013 took place only days after the death of his father, Norm.{{cite web|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/mark-todd-receives-knighthood-2013051809#axzz48IqDpHpa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424061700/http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/mark-todd-receives-knighthood-2013051809#axzz48IqDpHpa|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 April 2016|title=Mark Todd receives knighthood|publisher=News Hub|date=18 May 2013}}

Todd got selected to represent New Zealand at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Once again he became the second oldest New Zealand Olympian in history, as the fellow equestrian Julie Brougham made her Olympic debut at the age of 62.{{cite news |title=Brougham knocks Todd from top spot|url=http://olympic.org.nz/news/brougham-knocks-todd-from-top-spot/|access-date=31 October 2016 |work=New Zealand Olympic Committee}} At the Games held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Todd finished 4th in the team competition and 7th individually. Todd was the last team member to compete in the jumping phase, however, he dropped four rails. As a result, New Zealand team missed out on a possible gold medal. Todd later described this outcome as one of the biggest lows of his career.{{cite news |title=Rio Olympics 2016: Sir Mark Todd devastated as Kiwi three-day eventers miss out on medals|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83005210/Rio-Olympics-2016-Sir-Mark-Todd-devastated-as-Kiwi-three-day-eventers-miss-out-on-medals|access-date=31 October 2016 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=10 August 2016}}

In 2019, Todd was an inaugural inductee into the Equestrian Sports New Zealand Hall of Fame.{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/equestrian-whos-who-of-elite-kiwi-riders-honoured-at-inaugural-hall-of-fame-in-hastings/COTOM3YVH4GB2DGENOKJMPVPW4/ |title=Equestrian: Who's who of elite Kiwi riders honoured at inaugural Hall of Fame in Hastings |first=Diana |last=Dobson |date=16 March 2019 |work=Hawke's Bay Today |access-date=14 April 2024}}

In February 2022, a two-year old video emerged of Todd hitting a horse with a tree branch at a training clinic. The horse had refused to enter a water obstacle, and Todd hit it ten times. Todd issued an apology after the video was published.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/sir-mark-todd-issues-apology-after-video-shows-him-hitting-horse-with-a-branch/537850 |title=Sir Mark Todd issues apology after video shows him hitting horse with a branch |publisher=Racing Post |date=13 February 2022 }} The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced it was carrying out an investigation. In the interim, Todd was issued with a temporary suspension of his licence.{{cite web|url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/trainer-sir-mark-todd-suspended-by-the-bha-with-video-investigations-ongoing/538376 |title=Trainer Sir Mark Todd suspended by BHA with video investigations ongoing |publisher=Racing Post |date=16 February 2022 }} Todd stepped down as a patron of the charity World Horse Welfare. Todd's training licence was returned to him on 14 April 2022 after an independent disciplinary panel issued him with a four month suspension with two months deferred, which meant that he had already served the eight-week suspension.{{cite web |url=https://www.racingpost.com/news/sir-mark-todd-able-to-resume-training-career-after-hearing-into-video-footage/550123 |title=Sir Mark Todd to resume training after accepting breach for striking horse |publisher=Racing Post |date=14 April 2022}}

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Todd married Carolyn Berry in 1986 and had two children, Lauren and James. They separated in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10696521|title=Mark Todd leaves his wife|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=26 December 2010}} The couple remarried in 2014, with only their children present as witnesses.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11377078|title=The Diary: It's two for the Todds as Sir Mark remarries ex|work=The New Zealand Herald|date=20 December 2014}}

Todd's autobiography, So Far, So Good, was published in 1998. He has had several other books published including Charisma (1989), One Day Eventing, Mark Todd’s Cross-Country Handbook (1995) and Novice Eventing with Mark Todd (1996). He has also produced a series of training videos.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• Todd, M., So Far, So Good: The Autobiography, 1998, Hodder Moa Beckett Publishers Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
• Romanos, J., Our Olympic Century. 2008, Trio Books Limited, Wellington New Zealand.

{{commons category|Mark Todd}}

• {{official website|http://www.marktoddeventing.com/index.htm}}
• {{NZOC profile|mark-todd}}
• [http://www.fei.org/bios/Person/10000553/Mark_TODD Biography at FEI.com]
• [http://eventingradio.horseradionetwork.com/2009/03/13/eventing-radio-special-edition-an-hour-with-mark-todd/ Eventing Radio (2009 interview)]

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{{Olympic champions – Equestrian individual eventing}}

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{{Summer Olympics multiple gold medallists from New Zealand}}

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