A special presentation was made to Capt Mark Phillips, course-designer for the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship, during the reception at Blenheim Palace for riders, owners, sponsors and officials.
Mike Etherington-Smith, a course-designing colleague and the former director of Blenheim Horse Trials, and Jane Holderness-Roddam, president of British Eventing, presented Mark with a brilliant caricature that not only gave a nod to his long and distinguished career in course-design, including many years at Burghley and the 1989 European championship, but a stellar riding career that has included four Badminton victories and Olympic medals, and his role as a sought after trainer.
“Mark is a very special person and a brilliant natural horseman,” said Jane, a contemporary and friend since their Pony Club days. “He always puts the horse first, while making the rider respect his courses, and that makes for the best competitions. We think this is his last big event, but you can never say never again with Mark and we hope he will be around for many years dispensing his own brand of wisdom.”
