Mary King (equestrian)

Mary Elizabeth King (née Thomson, born 8 June 1961) is a British equestrian who competes in eventing. She has represented Great Britain at six Olympics from 1992 to 2012, winning team silver in 2004 and 2012, and team bronze in 2008. At the World Equestrian Games, she won team gold in 1994 and 2010, and team silver in 2006. She has also won four team golds and one team bronze medal at the European Eventing Championships.

King's individual honours include European bronze in 1995 and European Silver in 2007. She is a four-time British Open Champion (1990, 1991, 1996 and 2007). She won the CCI four star Badminton Horse Trials in 1992 and 2000, the CCI four star Burghley Horse Trials in 1996, and the CCI four star Rolex Kentucky with her homebred mare King's Temptress in 2011.

Early life

Mary King was born in Newark-on-Trent on 8 June 1961. Her father, Lieutenant-Commander M D H Thomson was a naval officer who suffered for the rest of his life from the consequences of a motorcycle accident that happened before Mary was born. Latterly he took the position of verger in Salcombe Regis parish church. He died in 2000. Her mother Patricia Gillian (Jill) continued the role of verger at the church. Mary also has an elder brother Simon Francis Bennett Thomson.

She attended Manor House Independent School (Honiton), Kings Grammar School (Ottery St Mary) and Evendine Court School of Domestic Economy (Cordon Bleu)(Malvern).

She married Alan King (known as David King) in 1995 and they and their two children, Emily and Freddie, live in Salcombe Regis, Devon in a house built on the site of her old stables. Her daughter Emily King also competes in eventing and is based with her partner Sam Ecroyd

Horses

Former Rides

King Dermot - moved 2026 to compete with daughter Emily or her partner Sam

King Louis - sold 2024 to compete with Emily's partner Sam.

King Seamus sold 2022

King Cyrys - by Future Gravitas out of King's Temptress - sold 2021

King's Rose - by Grafenstolz out of King's Temptress - sold 2021

King Robert II - by Chilli Morning out of King's Temptress - sold 2020

King's Ginger - by Chilli Morning out of King's Temptress - sold 2018

King Bill - by Mill Law out of King's Fancy- sold 2018 to Charlotte East

Kings Choice - Sold to young rider in Ireland 2015

Kings Temptress (by Primitive Rising out of Kings Mistress) mare Born 2000 - retired from competition 2015 due to arthritic lameness. Will now go on to breed foals for Mary. Died 2020

King Dan - Sold 2015

MHS King Joules -Too strong for Mary. Now competing with eventer Oliver Townend 2014

Cavalier Venture - Too big for Mary. Now competing with eventer Francis Whittington 2014

Imperial Cavalier - Won Olympic Team Silver in London 2012, European Team Bronze 2011, World Team Gold 2010. Retired from top level eventing 2014, Now competing with Yasmin Ingrahm

Fernhill Urco - Retired from top level eventing 2013, Now competing with Yasmin Ingrahm

Apache Sauce - Retired from top level eventing 2012, Died from tendon injury whilst competing at lower levels with Emily King in 2012

Chilli Morning - Too strong for Mary. Taken on by William Fox-Pitt in early 2012

Call again Cavalier- Won Team Silver World Equestrian games 2006,

Chatsworth CIC3* and British Open CIC3* 2007, Won Team Gold & Individual Silver at the 2007 European Championships,

Olympic Team Bronze at Beijing 2008,

Died at Express Eventing in November 2008 at the Millennium Stadium after breaking his leg

Cashel Bay- New rider as too strong for Mary, moved 2007

King Solomon- Won Mary's first Olympic medal (Team Silver) in 2004

won Bleinham CCI3* in 1996, Saumur CCI3* in 1997 retired with Paula Lee

Ryan V- Collapsed and died of a heart attack whilst competing at Weston Park in 2001

Star Appeal- Won CCI4* Burghley Horse Trials in 1996 and Badminton Horse Trials in 2000 retired with Annie Collings

King William- Won CCI4* Badminton Horse Trials in 1992 and took Mary to her first two Olympics. Retired with Annie Collings

King Kong- Retired in 1995 due to tendon injury. Retired to hunting field

King Samuel sold 1992

King Alfred sold 1991

King Basil - advanced horse sold 1994

King Cuthbert- Won Bramham CCI3* 1986, 2nd at Burghley, Retired 1990 & given to Annie Collings

King Boris- Retired 1995 with Paula Lee

Diver's Rock- Took Mary round her first Badminton in 1985

King Arthur pts after tendon injury

Silverstone

King's Mistress- retired with tendon injury, kept as a broodmare

King Humphrey - Mary's first Eventer. Pts.

Ferrari- sold to the Pinders, later owners of Star Appeal

King Max - sold to do dressage

Bred

King's Fancy foaled 1998 (by Rock King out of Kings Mistress, full sister to Kings Gem) – Now competing with eventer Laura Shears.
King's Gem Born 1999 (by Rock King out of Kings Mistress, full sister to Kings Fancy) – Now competing with eventer Gemma Tattersall.
King's Temptress Born 2000 (by Primitive Rising out of Kings Mistress)- Retired May 2015.
King's Rock foaled 2002 (by Rock King out of Kings Fancy)- Now competing with eventer Charlie Clover
King's Command Born 2002 (by Primitive Rising out of Kings Mistress, full brother to Kings Temptress) Now competing with Charlotte Martin.
King Albert Born 2002 (by Mayhill out of Kings Gem)- Now competing with eventer Charlotte East.
King Casper Born 2004 renamed Every's King for 2010 season. (By Med Night Mahout out of Kings Temptress) - Now competing with eventer Annabelle Farrar.
King's Ginger Born 2010 (Gelding By Chilli Morning out of Kings Temptress) sold November 2018
King Robert II Born 2010 (Gelding By Chilli Morning out of Kings Temptress) sold October 2020
King Bill Born 2010 (Gelding By Mill Law out of Kings Fancy) sold May 2018 to Charlotte East
King's Rose Born 2011 (Filly By Grafenstolz out of Kings Temptress) sold January 2021
Tilly Born 2014 (Filly By Chilli Morning out of Kings Temptress)
Cyrys Born 2015 (Gelding By Future Gravitas out of Kings Temptress)
Kizzy Born 2016 (Filly By Cevin Z out of Kings Temptress)
King's Belief Born 2017 (Colt By Cevin Z out of King's Temptress)
King Vincent Born 2020 (Colt By Van Gogh out of King's Temptress)

Achievements

thumb|250px|right|Mary King and Imperial Cavalier at the Quarry during the cross-country phase of Badminton Horse Trials 2011

thumb|250px|right|Mary King and Kings Temptress at the Discovery Valley during the cross country phase of Burghley Horse Trials 2009.

right|thumb|250px|Mary King and Apache Sauce jump the Lake during the cross-country phase of Badminton Horse Trials 2008.

2014

3rd Grantham cup Belton CIC3* (Imperial Cavalier)

2012

5th London Olympics [Imperial Cavalier]
Team Silver London Olympics [Imperial Cavalier]

2011

World Number 1
Winner of HSBC FEI Classics Series
4th Pau Horse Trials CCI**** [Imperial Cavalier)
3rd Burghley Horse Trials CCI****(Kings Temptress)
4th Aachen Horse Trials *** (Imperial Cavalier)
8th Luhmühlen Horse Trials CCI**** (Apache Sauce)
3rd Badminton Horse Trials International CCI **** (Imperial Cavalier)
1st Rolex Kentucky Three Day CCI **** (Kings Temptress)
2nd Rolex Kentucky Three Day CCI **** (Fernhill Urco)

2010

3rd Belton Park CIC*** (Fernhill Urco)
4th Badminton Horse Trials International CCI **** (Imperial Cavalier)
7th Luhmuhlen Horse Trials CCI**** (Apache Sauce)
5th Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** (Apache Sauce)
7th Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** (Kings Temptress)
Team Gold at FEI World Equestrian Games, Kentucky (Imperial Cavalier)
6th World Games Kentucky (Imperial Cavalier)

2009

12th Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** (Apache Sauce)
18th Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** (Kings Temptress)
2nd Hartpury CIC*** (Apache Sauce)
7th Gatcombe CIC***W (Kings Temptress)
4th Luhmühlen Horse Trials CCI**** (King's Temptress)
5th Barbury Castle CIC*** (Apache Sauce)
4th Aachen CICO*** (Imperial Cavalier)
3rd Tattersalls CIC***W (Imperial Cavalier)
6th Tattersalls CIC*** (Fernhill Urco)

2008

8th Pau CCI**** (Call Again Cavalier)
3rd Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** (Imperial Cavalier)
4th Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** (Apache Sauce)
Team Bronze – Beijing Olympics (Call Again Cavalier)
11th Beijing Olympics (Call Again Cavalier)
8th Barbury International CIC *** (Call Again Cavalier)
2nd Bramham International CCI *** (Kings Fancy)
8th Saumur International CCI *** (Kings Gem)
5th Chatsworth International CIC *** (Kings Temptress)
11th Badminton International CCI **** (Apache Sauce)
2nd Belton Park International CIC *** (Imperial Cavalier)
3rd Burnham Market International CIC *** (Apache Sauce)

2007

9th Rolex Kentucky Three Day CCI **** (Apache Sauce)
1st Chatsworth World Cup Qualifier CIC***W (Call Again Cavalier)
3rd Barbury Castle CIC*** (Call Again Cavalier)
1st British Open Championships, Gatcombe Park (Call Again Cavalier)
2nd European Three Day Eventing Championships (Call Again Cavalier)
Team Gold – European Three Day Eventing
2nd Pau Horse Trials CCI**** (Imperial Cavalier)

2006

3rd Barbury Castle CIC*** (Cashal Bay)
10th Burghley Horse Trials CCI**** (Cashal Bay)
9th Boekelo CCI*** (Apache Sauce)

2005

7th Dartfield CCI ** (Apache Sauce)
8th Barbury Castle CIC *** (Call Again Cavalier)
3rd Blair Castle CCI * (Kings Gem)
4th Burghley CCI **** (Call Again Cavalier)
2nd Kreuth *** (Birthday Night)
5th Kreuth *** (Apache Sauce)

2004

20th Athens Olympics (King Solomon III)
Team Silver – Athens Olympics

2003

5th European Championships, Punchestown, Ireland (King Solomon III)
3rd British Open Championships, Gatcombe Park (King Solomon III)
10th Bramham CCI *** (King George II)
4th Badminton CCI **** (King Solomon III)

2002

5th Boekelo CCIO *** (Ryan V)
3rd Burghley CCI **** (King Solomon III)
2nd Thirlestane Castle CIC ** (King Solomon III)
10th Thirlestane Castle CIC ** (King George II)
5th Punchestown CCIO *** (Ryan V)
4th Chatsworth CIC *** (King Solomon III)

2001

5th Punchestown CCI *** (Ryan V)
4th Burghley CCI **** (King Solomon III)
2nd Thirlestane CIC ** (King Richard)

2000

7th Olympic Games (Individual Competition), Sydney, Australia (Star Appeal)
1st Badminton CCI **** (Star Appeal)

1999

5th Burghley CCI **** (King Solomon III)
3rd Blair Castle CCI * (King Richard)

1997

1st Achselschwang CCI *** (King Solomon III)
3rd Blenheim CCI *** (King William)
8th and Team gold European Open Championships, Burghley (Star Appeal)
3rd Scottish Open Championships, Thirlestane Castle (King Solomon III)
2nd British Open Championships (National Champion), Gatcombe Park (King Solomon III)
3rd British Open Championships, Gatcombe Park (Star Appeal)
1st Chantilly CIC ** (King William)
6th Punchestown CCI *** (King William)
2nd Badminton CCI **** (Star Appeal)
1st Saumur CCI *** (King Solomon III)

1996

1st Blenheim CCI *** (King Solomon III)
1st Burghley CCI **** (Star Appeal)
1st British Open Championships (National Champion), Gatcombe Park (King William)
2nd British Open Championships, Gatcombe Park (King Solomon III)
1st Scottish Open Championships, Thirlestane Castle (Star Appeal)
1st Ladies Advanced, Thirlestane Castle (King S
12th Olympic Games (Individual), Atlanta, USA (King William)

1995

Team gold and Individual bronze European Championships, Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy (King William)
1st Scottish Open Championships, Thirlestane Castle (King William)
2nd Scottish Open Championships, Thirlestane Castle (Star Appeal)
2nd British Open Championships, Gatcombe Park (Star Appeal)
1st Punchestown CCI *** (Star Appeal)

1994

2nd Le Lion d’Angers CCI *** (King Solomon III)
2nd Burghley CCI **** (King Kong)
4th Burghley CCI **** 1994 (Star Appeal)
10th British Open Championships, Gatcombe Park (Star Appeal)
4th and Team gold World Equestrian Games, The Hague, Holland (King William)

1993

2nd Punchestown CCI *** (Star Appeal)

1992

2nd FEI Continental Cup Final, Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy (King Samuel)
1st Windsor CCI ** (King Kong)
1st Badminton CCI **** (King William)
9th Olympic Games (Individual) Barcelona, Spain (King William)

1991

1st Loughanmore CCI ** (King Alfred)
Team gold European Championships, Punchestown, Ireland (King William)
1st British Open Championships, Gatcombe Park (King William)
1st Osberton CCN (King Kong)

1990

2nd Burghley CCI **** (King Cuthbert)
4th Burghley CCI **** (King Boris)
9th Blenheim CCI *** (King William)
1st British Open Championships, Gatcombe Park (King Boris)
6th Bramham CCI *** (King William)
3rd Badminton CCI **** (King Boris)
8th Badminton CCI **** (King Cuthbert)

1989

5th Le Lion d’Angers CCI *** (King William)
2nd Rotherfield Park CCI *** (King Cuthbert)
1st Windsor 3DE (King Max)
2nd Badminton CCI **** (King Boris)

1988

1st Breda CCI ** (King Max)
2nd Bramham CCI *** (King Cuthbert)
1st Osberton 3DE (King Samuel)

1987

15th Burghley CCI **** (King Boris)
2nd Windsor 3DE (King Arthur)

1986

1st Osberton 3DE (King Arthur)
4th Breda CCI ** (King Boris)
1st Bramham CCI *** (King Cuthbert)
2nd Bramham CCI *** (Silverstone)

1985

7th Badminton CCI **** (Divers Rock)

1984

6th Boekelo CCI *** (Divers Rock)

Bibliography

Mary Thomson's Eventing Year, 1993
All The Kings Horses, 1997
William and Mary, 1998
Mary King: The Autobiography, 2009
Won Gold Medal in 2012 Olympics