Find out when the British dressage riders compete in the WEG grand prix special
Find out what time Britain's dressage riders will perform in the grand prix special
Spencer Wilton
Spencer Wilton is a British Olympic dressage rider, who won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Spencer Wilton was born on 1 February 1973 in Suffolk. He was a member of the Essex and Suffolk branch of the Pony Club, and his first love was eventing. He rode as an individual at the pony European Eventing Championships, then left school to become a working pupil for Ruth McMullen, Lucinda Green and Mark Todd.
However, after meeting dressage Olympian Carl Hester, he made a discipline switch to dressage. Spencer Wilton and Carl Hester spent 13 years working together, as well as spending time as a couple during this period.
Spencer won his first national dressage title in 1999 riding Fantastic Elastic. He went on to win a total of 13 national championships including the prestigious title of national dressage champion with his first grand prix horse Dolendo in 2007. Spencer and Dolendo also competed successfully on the international grand prix circuit that year.
In 2013, Spencer made his international debut with Jen Goodman’s De Niro x Weltmeyer gelding Super Nova II, known at home as Neville. The pair moved up to grand prix a year later, and have since become one of Britain’s most successful grand prix combinations.
Spencer and Neville were selected to represent Britain at the Rio Olympics in 2016, winning team silver alongside Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Fiona Bigwood. The following year they helped Britain finish fourth at the 2017 European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. They were selected for the British team for the third year running in 2018, winning team bronze at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, USA.
In 2019 Spencer underwent surgery for a ruptured disc in his lower back, having already decided to withdraw Neville from team contention that year.
The pair made their long-awaited comeback in early 2020, scoring four consecutive wins at Lier CDI3* and Keysoe CDI3* as they sought a place on the British team for the Tokyo Olympics. After the postponement of the Olympics, Spencer gave Neville an easy year in order to target the Olympics in 2021 with the now 18-year-old gelding.
Spencer is married to fellow dressage rider Darren Hicks, having tied the knot in December 2018. In 2020, the pair relocated from Berkshire to Gloucestershire, and are now based together at The Cotswold Club Equestrian.
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Charlotte Dujardin clinches brilliant dressage bronze for Britain at WEG
Germany maintain their golden run, with the USA claiming silver and Britain securing bronze
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Germany lead after day one of WEG dressage with Britain just outside the medal spots
Britain are sitting fourth with Germany topping the leaderboard after day one
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Britain off to solid start in the WEG dressage
Britain are lying in silver after the first round of riders
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Olympic champions spearhead British dressage team for World Equestrian Games
'With the team’s vast experience of preparing for the big occasion, confidence in the camp is high’
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British dressage shortlist named for World Equestrian Games
Eight combinations have been named on the shortlist ahead of the Games in Tryon
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Spencer Wilton makes thrilling international comeback at Hartpury
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Spencer Wilton: Don't resort to trial by social media *H&H VIP*
Spencer Wilton discusses online criticism and a growing culture of fear
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Spencer Wilton: Hats off to Emile *H&H VIP*
Horse & Hound's guest dressage columnist analyses Olympia’s standout performers
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What does an Olympic dressage horse eat during the winter?
Keeping competition horses in peak condition through the winter can be a challenge. We delve into the diet plan of Team GB dressage horse Supernova II, to find out the details of his winter feeding regime
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Lights, camera, action — when Super Nova turned supermodel
Go behind the scenes to see how ‘The Horse Photographer’ Matthew Seed created the usual images for Olympia's advertising campaign
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Isabell Werth scoops incredible triple gold in Gothenburg
Isabell Werth claims her third gold of the championships while Carl Hester finishes fourth with Nip Tuck
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Britain's Spencer Wilton leads grand prix special at halfway stage
Spencer Wilton and Supernova II produce an excellent score in the special
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Britain narrowly denied medal as Germans run away with European gold
Britain finish fourth at the Europeans behind Germany, Denmark and Sweden
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Germans strengthen their lead as mistakes prove costly for Britain's Spencer Wilton
Germany remain at the top of the leaderboard, with the final riders for each nation yet to come
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British dressage squad revealed for Europeans
Find out which Brits will be aiming for glory at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Gothenburg next month
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European Dressage Championships: who’s in the mix for the British team
Olympic medallists among those listed for team contention at Gothenburg next month
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Spencer Wilton: simple exercises to develop better control in the dressage arena
The Olympic dressage silver medallist shares three exercises to help improve the rideability of the horse, giving the rider control, confidence and calmness
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What time do the British dressage riders compete in the freestyle in Rio?
Find out when you can watch the British dressage riders contest the individual final at the Rio Olympics. Can Valegro retain his crown?
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British dressage team nail Rio Olympics silver: 'It was really well fought by all of our riders'
The British team claims dressage silver behind the mighty Germans at the Rio Olympics
