Mark Todd’s horse Charisma was written off as too small and too old when they came to defend their three-day eventing title at the 1988 Olympics.

When organisers of the Olympic modern pentathlon changed the format of the event for the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, they could scarcely have anticipated the dramatic finale it would conjure up.

Germany’s master horseman Alwin Schockemöhle brought all of his guile and experience to bear when he finally claimed an individual Olympic gold at Montreal 1976.

Equestrian

Sergeant Reuben Jones of the Royal Horse Artillery enjoyed his finest hour on 21 October 1968 in Mexico City, jumping a clear round on his mount, The Poacher , to win team eventing gold for Great Britain.

Sergeant Reuben Jones of the Royal Horse Artillery enjoyed his finest hour on 21 October 1968 in Mexico City, jumping a clear round on his mount, The Poacher , to win team eventing gold for Great Britain.