Lucy McCarthy (née Wiegersma)

Lucy-Wiegersma-mugBorn in 1977, Lucy McCarthy (née Wiegersma) is the only British rider to have won all three national eventing titles – junior in 1995, young rider in 1998 and senior in 2006.

Her Dutch father Hendrik rode at the top level and her mother Pippa was head girl to 1956 British Olympic team gold medallist Bertie Hill.

Lucy – who is based at Warren Farm in Devon – also has an English degree from Exeter University and does some freelance journalism work alongside her riding and training.

Lucy’s notable results include second place at Badminton riding Shaabrak and many other top 10 placings at three- and four-star events around the world.

Lucy is a veteran of five European Championship teams at under-21 level, where her successes included individual and team medals. She was selected for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but after her horse went lame, Lucy had to wait a further year to make her senior squad debut at the European Championships in France riding Woodfalls Inigo Jones. She was also a member of the British squad at the 2013 European Championships in Sweden riding Simon Porloe.

Lucy is married to Irish event rider Padraig McCarthy and is also mother to Tomas who was born in April 2015.