Born and raised on his parents’ farm in Yorkshire, leading showjumper Michael and his brother John were taught to ride by their mother, a keen horsewoman. Michael was soon competing on ponies of his own, as well as those of friends. His experience quickly took him on to horses where he earned a reputation as a strong and determined rider.

In 1980, Michael became the youngest ever winner of the famous Hickstead Derby at the age of 20, and he went on to win it a further three times. He was developing into a leading showjumper.

In 1984 Michael won a Silver Medal for Great Britain at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

In September 1993 Michael took over from his brother John as the world’s Number One for the first time in his career.

In 1999 Michael was the highest placed British rider in the World Cup Final finishing 5th overall with Virtual Village Ashley and he beat this record by finishing third with Handel II in 2001.

He is currently the UK's leading showjumper, ranked No.1 in Great Britain, and 9th in the FEI official world rankings.

Achievements

OLYMPIC GAMES

1984, 1992, 1996, 2000 / SILVER MEDAL - 1 /

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

1986, 1990, 2002 (Reserve) / SILVER MEDAL - 1 / BRONZE MEDAL - 2

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

1985, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001 / GOLD MEDAL - 3 / SILVER MEDAL - 4 /BRONZE MEDAL - 2

KING GEORGE V CUP WINS

1982, 1989, 1992, 1994

HICKSTEAD DERBY

1980, 1991, 1992, 1993

NATIONS CUPS-EX BRITISH TEAM MEMBER

1982-2003

NO OF TIMES REPRESENTED - 125

NUMBER OF WINS - 28

JUNIOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

1976, 1978 / BRONZE MEDAL - 1 /GOLD MEDAL - 2