Peter Charles

Hickstead Derby winner and former European champion Peter Charles.

Born in Liverpool to an Irish mother, Peter went to Ireland in his teens and worked his way up from the bottom; training with Iris Kellett and eventually looking after young horses for Eddie Macken at Kells, Co Meath.

His own undoubted ability was rewarded with a place on the Irish team at two Olympic Games, three World Games and two European Championships. In 1995, he secured Ireland`s first individual European gold at St Gallen, Switzerland, with La Ina, who partnered him to win show jumping`s richest prize in the Du Maurier grand prix the following year.

He was also part of Ireland`s first European gold medal-winning team in Arnhem, The Netherlands, riding Corrada in 2001, the same year as he and the brilliant mare won their first of three consecutive Hickstead Derbys.

Based at Alton in Hampshire since 1992, he married his wife Tara in 1998. They have three young children - Harry, Scarlett and Sienna - who are all promising riders.

Peter returned to the British fold late in 2007, having recovered from a broken back. His most recent triumph in the £50,000 Longines King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead on Murka`s Pall Mall H is still fresh in the memory and gave him immense pleasure.

`I`d been trying to win the class for an awfully long time and to get it done before I`m too old is great!` he says.

He is the principal rider for Team Murka, which sponsors the whole team at Alton and is wholly committed to the Premier Show Jumping Club, and represented Britain at this year`s European Championships.

`It`s the perfect chance for people to get involved with the sport,` he says. `Yard visits, event visits and an opportunity to meet the people who make it all happen as we approach the 2012 Olympics. I think it`s an excellent idea and I`m delighted to be part of it.`

Below you can watch video of Peter Charles and Pall Mall H winning the Kings Cup at Hickstead.