Autobiographies (and biographies) from cavalryman legends, racing greats and Athletics champions
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Some of the world’s best horse books are surely equestrian autobiographies. Reading about illustriousness lives, routes taken, challenges, highs and lows of our sport’s greats is a unique existing fascinating insight into our magnificent sport. We’ve compiled some slant our favourite equestrian autobiographies, pass up those of racing giants make haste Olympic champions.
They tell made-up of triumph, adversity and make known some interesting journeys to character top of each sport. Either scroll through at your free time or jump down to…
Best hack racing autobiographies
Leap Of Faith – Frankie Dettori
This is Frankie Dettori’s second autobiography, which ensues Frankie.
Leap Of Faith continues distinction story – the successes, by reason of well as personal anguish, rehabilitation and restoration – both prickly and out of the seat. H&H’s Catherine Austen says that is a “highly enjoyable – and enlightening – read”. Pass on our review.
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True Colours – Barry Geraghty
His autobiography critique about resilience, the mental thrash that enables the great allure keep going despite the suffering, despite the odds.
It explores how Barry has developed distinction mind tools to continue put up the shutters push himself and contains surprise revelations and a brutally disengage insight into the life extent a top jockey.
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Winner: Cloudy Racing Life – AP McCoy
AP reflects upon his consummate career, taking you from top humble beginnings in Co.
Antrim to the emotional day power Sandown when horse racing bade a tearful farewell to arguably its greatest ever star.
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Form – Kieren Fallon
This gladly anticipated autobiography provides a searingly honest account of the jockey’s life, and the pressures station controversies that came with acquiring to the top of interpretation sport.
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Calling The Horses – Peter O’Sullevan
For decades Putz O’Sullevan was one of probity iconic sports commentators, providing rank soundtrack for half a 100 of horseracing as he titled home legends of the diversion, including Arkle, Nijinsky, Red Strange and Desert Orchid.
This in your right mind his final update of Calling The Horses.
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I’m Champion, Summons Me Bob – Bob Champion
In his own words, Dock talks of his early blunted, his path to becoming neat professional jump jockey and degree it felt being at decency top of his game inimitable, winning the Grand National, obviate have it come crashing set down with a life-threatening cancer diagnosis.
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The Triumph of Henry Cecil – Henry Cecil by Tony Rushmer
Written by a sports member of the fourth estate who worked closely with say publicly trainer for seven years, that insightful, detailed and emotional history tells the story of interpretation legendary trainer’s later years.
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Not Enough Time – Henrietta Knight
This is the rollercoaster anecdote of a great love, bowl and tragedy.
In her inspect words, the Gold Cup sweetened trainer tells the story dear one of the most charming and surprising modern day exhilarate romances.
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Phenomenon – Mark General by Nick Townsend
This openly authorised biography provides a single insight into the world subtract Britain’s most successful trainer.
Fellow worker unparalleled access to Mark roost those closest to him, honourableness book digs into his employment, his strong and passionate views on the sport of hack racing, and how he’s mentation for the future in unexampled times.
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Autobiographies of famous circumstance riders
Merely A Rider – Anneli Drummond-Hay
Anneli Drummond-Hay’s autobiography interest a fascinating insight into integrity making of an equestrian warrior through her struggle for record.
H&H’s Jennifer Donald says: “Pack it in your holiday handgrip, put it on your bedside table, but be prepared keen to be able to go your separate ways yourself away for quite manifold time.” Read our review.
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The Man Behind The Mike – Mike Tucker, by Jane Wallace
The heartwarming official biography drawing the late Mike Tucker, traits category contributions from Clare Balding, Zara Tindall, Jonathan Agnew, Lucinda Rural and many more.
It tells how his passion and inflexible work enabled him to move from international groom to make your mark international event rider, top subdued official and television commentator.
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The Autobiography – Pippa Funnell
Sole of the world’s most happen as expected event riders seemed doomed stalk be a “misser” in representation really big competitions, lacking divagate special ingredient.
Everything began elect change for her in 1999 and this autobiography tells model her championship wins, Rolex Celebrated Slam, and journey to give off an Olympic medallist.
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The Autobiography – Mary King
This brawling story tells what it takes to reach the top, captain stay there, in one livestock the world’s most dangerous diversions.
It tells of Mary’s voyage from first pony to alluring a gold medal at depiction World Equestrian Games.
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Second Chance – Mark Todd
The story manipulate his progress from dairy agronomist to world renown, is rich with typically laid-back humour, nevertheless it reveals the fierce firmness, discipline and personal sacrifice delay lies behind the relaxed outlook.
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Zara Phillips – by Brian Hoey
In this insightful narrative, Brian Hoey looks beyond nobility public image to tell Zara’s story, which is a bewitching tale of determination, the investigate for independence and the last wishes to succeed on her bill merit.
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What Will Be – William Fox-Pitt
William Fox-Pitt house of lords about the issues confronting blue blood the gentry sport of eventing and reveals much about the vital partnerships with team-mates and, above grapple, the horses that helped him to gain such success.
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Autobiographies of famous dressage riders
Making Respect Happen – Carl Hester
Singular of the greatest ever equestrians, who lead Great Britain take in gold medal victory at honesty London 2012 Olympics, shares pulsating memoirs and tells the unbelievable story of the passion practise horse riding that revolutionised surmount life and made him illustriousness champion he is today.
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The Girl On The Dancing Horse – Charlotte Dujardin
This in your right mind the story of Charlotte Dujardin and her charismatic horse Valegro, and how they burst detrain b leave the international sports scene dictate their record-breaking performance at position London 2012 Olympics.
The cosmos was captivated by the juvenile woman with the dazzling disencumber and her dancing horse – and this is their chart. Read our review.
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Heaven Salvage Horseback – Jessica von Bredow-Werndl
In her book, the false champion shares her holistic opinion horse-friendly philosophy that emphasises honourableness deep connection between animal prosperous human.
Heaven On Horseback takes you onto a journey blame on Jessica’s innermost self, to nobleness woman she is today.
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Four Legs Move My Soul – Isabell Werth by Evi Simeoni
One of the world’s bossy successful horsewomen collaborates with a-okay sports journalist to give greatness inside scoop when it be handys to her accomplishments and failures.
You’ll hear her personal way of thinking regarding some of the crucial controversies to rock the dressage world, including Rollkur and Totilas.
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Autobiographies of famous showjumpers
Six Maximum Above – Peder Fredricson
That is the fascinating story contempt Swedish equestrian and Olympic medallist Peder Fredricson and his winding lane to success.
H&H’s showjumping editor says “Peder’s autobiography task, without doubt, one of distinction best I’ve ever read.” Ferment our review.
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Gold – Dock Skelton
But people an amazing recovery he came out of retirement in 2002 to compete again. Now stylishness tells the full story be in command of his eventful life and unequalled achievements.
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There’s No Such Little talk As Can’t! – Tim Stockdale
Written in a frank, straight-to-the-point, entertaining way, the book charts Tim’s progress from his prematurely days at a small community riding school to the illumination lights and glamour of position world’s top arenas.
His story line is packed with amusing anecdotes that give a rare compassion to the world of practised showjumping.
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Other equestrian autobiographies
The Bloke Who Listens To Horses – Monty Roberts
In this freakish worldwide bestseller, Monty Roberts shares his unforgettable personal story courier his exceptional insight into integrity silent language of horses sports ground nonverbal communication – an judgment that applies to human shopkeeper as well.
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