Making it Happen

Making it Happen by Bernadette Hewitt and Carl Hester captures the life and career of one of the greatest equestrians, Carl Hester. Leading Great Britain to a Gold Medal victory at the London 2012 Olympics, these vibrant memoirs reveal an incredible journey fuelled by a passion for horse-riding that revolutionised his life and forged him into the champion he is today.

Carl's story begins on the remote Channel Island of Sark. At 16, he moved to the UK mainland to work with horses, intending it as a means to leave home. Little did he know, his innate talent for dressage would lead to a meteoric rise in his career. From starting out as a groom/rider, Carl progressed to riding international dressage horses full-time for the esteemed Dr and Mrs Bechtolsheimer. Eventually, he moved on to training his own horses and other top riders, achieving international success.

His early career demonstrated monumental potential. Carl shares rare insights into the people and horses propelling him to victory, notably Jolly Dolly, the skewbald mare with whom he won the 1985 Young Riders Dressage Championship. During the early 1990s, Carl competed in the World Championships, the European Championships, and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, earning the title of Great Britain's youngest ever rider in the Games. His expertise continued to grow, culminating in the 2011 European Dressage Championships and the historic win at London 2012 as part of the Gold Medal team. Both achievements were accomplished on the extraordinary horse, Uthopia, while as a trainer, he cultivated the exceptional duo of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.

A first-class sportsman with a witty and engaging writing style, Carl offers his admirers a chance to delve into an intelligent, humorous, and inspiring account of his life. He shares the highs and lows of his career, along with the motivations and techniques that have led to winning 66 national titles, representing Team GB at four Olympic Games, two World Championships, and seven European Championships. Carl Hester is celebrated not just as one of the best riders but also as an exceptional horseman worldwide.