Saddlers Welcome Equestrian Greats

The Saddlers Company were privileged to host an evening with some of the country’s most notable equestrians; two of whom are Aunts of the current Prime Warden, Ed Bullen.

Those on our panel included: Jane Holderness-Roddam CVO CBE – the first British woman to ride in the Olympic Three Day Event Team in Mexico 1968, where she won Team Gold. She also won Badminton twice (1968 and 1978) and Burghley (1976); Jennie Loriston-Clarke MBE – one of Britain’s leading dressage riders and trainers who represented Great Britain in four Olympic Games; Tom McEwen MBE – celebrated British event rider, known for winning Team GB’s historic Olympic eventing gold medals at both the Tokyo 2020 (2021) and Paris 2024 Games, alongside individual Olympic silver in Tokyo; and Major Dickie Waygood MBE – Performance Director for the British Equestrian Federation and one time Riding Master at the Household Cavalry Regiment. Past Master Hugh Thomas – Olympic event rider and World Championship medallist who went on to be Chair the British Equestrian Federation board and the FEI Eventing Committee as well as Badminton Event Director from 1989 – 2019 – acted as Compere.

It proved to be a very special evening indeed with our guests recalling their early days riding, some of their highs and lows at the elite level of equestrian sport, and reflections on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector today. It was truly enlightening, informal and fun. Thank you to all that took part.