Mike Tucker. Photo courtesy of Badminton/BBC Sport.
We are extremely sad to report that Mike Tucker, the iconic voice of eventing, died today at age 73.
Mike was an accomplished event rider before pursuing commentary full-time, with his pinnacle achievement coming in 1983 when he placed second at Badminton riding his homebred General Bugle.
Mike took over as BBC Sport’s lead equestrian commentator from his mentor Raymond Brooks-Ward in 1992, and went on to work at six Olympic Games in a career that spanned more than four decades.
He also earned his course designing license, and Mike’s impact on the sport extended well beyond his native Britain. In the States, he designed the original cross country course at Fair Hill International for the inaugural running of the CCI3* in 1989. He served as course designer at Fair Hill until 1999, when he passed the reins to Derek di Grazia.
He retired as BBC Sport’s lead equestrian commentator at Badminton last year. While he called many historic moments in British equestrianism during his career, such as Zara Tindall winning individual gold at the 2006 Aachen World Equestrian Games, he said at the time of his retirement that the 2012 London Olympics and Nick Skelton’s individual gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics stood out as highlights.
“My greatest ambition was to call an Olympic Gold medal and that eventually happened at the Games of London 2012, not just once but of course three times, with team gold in dressage first, followed by the amazing individual gold of Charlotte Dujardin and the great Valegro in dramatic, nail-biting style. If that wasn’t enough our show jumpers pulled of the sensational team gold medal in the best sporting atmosphere I’ve ever witnessed in an equestrian competition. A week never to be forgotten.
“One seriously thought that might be the time to call an end to my TV commentary then but I still yearned to witness live an eventing gold so decided to see if that could be achieved in Rio. Sadly that wasn’t to be, but instead back to back Olympic individual titles by one of the best Olympic partnerships that has ever been seen, Charlotte and Valegro made my 2012 decision to carry on, so perfect in it’s own right.
“As we all know it didn’t end there though because the performance of Nick Skelton and Big Star was one of the most deserved results there has ever been in equestrian sport, indeed I would go as far to say in sport. … Round by round Skelton and Big Star got better and better, just squeaking through to the last individual rounds and then to that final jump off against the clock for the medals. The dream was on.
“Never have I been so nervous, particularly as Nick was first to go and all the big guns followed on. That round of Big Star’s was Nick at his flowing best with the horse at his brilliant best and of course none of the world’s best that followed could match it. It was the most deserved win against so many odds that I have ever witnessed and has to be the most exciting moment I’ve had the privilege of commentating on in my career — Nick was not the only one in tears!”
Mike commentated at numerous events in the U.S. over the years, and his wit, humor, and insight will be sorely missed in the States and beyond.
Our thoughts are with his wife, Angela, extended family and friends, and all who knew and loved Mike. He will be sincerely missed in eventing and throughout the entire equestrian industry.
