Mary and Imperial Cavalier at the Olympics (photo by Abby Gibbon)
Mary King has made it very clear she has no plans to slow down. After competing in her sixth Olympic Games — and winning a team silver medal — Mary recently told The Telegraph she has every intention of trying to make the team for Rio in 2016. Mary will be 55 then, but Mark Todd was 56 when he won his team bronze in London. Indeed, age is just a number to many equestrians competing at the highest levels of our sport. “I remember reading (British Olympic swimmer) Rebecca Adlington’s comments after she won her bronze at the Olympics and she was saying she couldn’t keep up with the people at the top end of her sport as she was too old — she was 23! I felt so sorry for her and so fortunate that I’m in a sport where time is less pressurised and you can still be at the top level even when you’re quite old,” Mary told The Telegraph.
We’re very lucky in this sport to be able to ride well into our golden years. Eventers are like a fine wine; we get better with age. Mary tied Tessa Sanderson’s record for most Olympic appearances by a British female in London. If Mary is selected to ride for the British team in Rio, she will set a new record. “It’s not a bad incentive, is it? But if I’m fit and healthy, why not?” Mary told The Telegraph. She recounted her run-in with Sir Chris Hoy, the most successful cyclist in Olympic history, in an elevator the day after she won her silver medal. “Before I had a chance to say anything, he burst out: ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe I’m in a lift with Mary King!’ There I was, with one of Britain’s greatest Olympians, and one of my all-time heroes, and yet he seemed more excited to see me. I couldn’t believe it,” Mary told The Telegraph.
Mary’s humble, self-deprecating attitude has made her a much loved sporting figure among her fellow Brits and millions around the world. The U.S. was lucky enough to have her in attendance as the keynote speaker at the 2012 USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, where she gave an inspirational speech that will be fondly remembered for many years to come. Having riders like Mary serve as ambassadors of the sport is incredibly valuable in motivating the younger generations. While many hungry young riders may feel like their big dreams and goals are unattainable, Mary is living proof that with time, hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Go Mary.
