Mark Todd’s placed on first run back in Britain

Mark Todd (pictured) enjoyed a successful return to British competition at Osberton Horse Trials on Monday.

The 52-year-old — who announced a comeback in January after eight years away from competition — rode two horses in the CIC**.

He finished eighth on Dusky Moon — who belongs to Eddy Stibbe, with whom he is based — and 17th on Gandalf, the horse he has brought over from New Zealand and hopes to take to the Olympics in Hong Kong.

“They are two lovely horses, but then I wouldn’t want to be doing it if they weren’t,” said Mark. “At least having to go through all the qualifying is giving me time to get a bit of practice in.”

Mark will take Gandalf to the CCI*** in Saumur next week (15-18 May), where he hopes to complete his qualifications for the Olympics.

Last week the FEI confirmed that New Zealand has secured a team slot for Hong Kong by virtue of individual riders’ positions on the FEI rankings on 1 May. Ireland has the other final team position.

Nations qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games in show jumping, dressage and eventing.

Buy H&H next week (15 May) for a full report from Osberton, including a picture of Mark Todd competing.

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.