To celebrate four-time Olympian Richard Davison’s 60th birthday today (20 September), we’ve dug deep into the archives to take a look back at some of his career highlights in pictures — from the early days at Pony Club to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
1965: South Staffs branch of the Pony Club camp
The early days: Sailor was bought for Richard when he was nine-years-old and taught him some important lessons in producing and selling. “When I outgrew Sailor my parents told me there was no extra money to buy another one — whatever we got from Sailor would be the only money for my next pony,” remembers Richard. “So I got busy schooling him and thinking about the best way to market him. I made up an advert and eventually — having made a small profit — I shook hands on a deal.”
1993: Goodwood
Richard at Goodwood with Master JCB, the horse bought for him by Sir and Lady Bamford, who he went on to win his first European medal with in the same year at Lipica.
1996: Val d’Isere
Richard donned his breeches and tailcoat and hit the slopes to raise money in the run up to the Atlanta Olympics, in the days before any meaningful Lottery funding was available to equestrian teams.
1998: World Equestrian Games, Rome
Richard and Hiscox Askari at the World Equestrian Games in Rome, where the British team finished in eighth position.
2005: Hickstead Dressage
Richard and the Hanoverian gelding Hiscox Karachi at Hickstead.
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2008: Olympia
Richard and the 16.2hh bay gelding Hiscox Artemis at Olympia.
2010: National Dressage Championships
Richard and Hiscox Artemis in the grand prix freestyle championship at the National Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh in 2010.
2011: Olympia
Richard and Hiscox Artemis at Olympia.
2012: Olympic Games, London
Richard flies the flag for Britain as an individual at the London Olympics with Hiscox Artemis.
