![Carl Hester :: Photo © Astrid Appels](/sites/default/files/styles/max_650x650/public/database-story-thumb/2024-07/19_edc_hester_0_7620.jpg?itok=7FDp82FJ)
Veteran UK producers, Drew Curtis & Richard Conway, team up with legendary British dressage rider, trainer and owner, Carl Hester MBE, to produce STRIDE, a theatrical biopic of Hester’s incredible journey from the island of Sark to leading Team GB to equestrian glory at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Following the announcement of the Team GB dressage line-up for the Paris Olympics 2024, Drew Curtis (Ironclad, The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson, Ibiza the Silent Movie) and Richard Conway (The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson, Sexy Beast, Alien Vs Predator) have teamed up with returning Olympian, Carl Hester MBE, to tell the inspirational story of his remarkable rise from the humblest of beginnings on the tiny channel island of Sark to team triumph at the London 2012 Olympics.
In front of a record-breaking London crowd, and millions of viewers around the world, Hester, competing on Uthopia, alongside his legendary horse Valegro, ridden by Charlotte Dujardin (both trained by Hester at his yard in Gloucestershire) won team Gold in dressage for the first time ever, securing their places in equestrian history.
Remarkably, Laura Tomlinson (née Bechtolsheimer), the third member of the dressage team in 2012, began her training with Hester when he was a working pupil for her late father, Dr Wilfred Bechtolsheimer.
(Photo © Dirk Caremans)
Through his unique and sensitive approach to equestrian health and welfare, since copied the world over, Hester has forever transformed the world of dressage.
STRIDE will tell the true story of Carl Hester and his path to glory at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
From growing up in a single parent family on Sark, a tiny channel island with no cars, through his formative years of hard work and dedication with the guidance of great mentors to becoming arguably the greatest dressage rider, trainer and owner of all time.
-- text by British Dressage - Photos © Astrid Appels / Dirk Caremans
Related Links
Carl Hester: "Grateful to These Horses and the Pride they Give Me"
Carl Hester Giving His Champions a Life Outside in the Field
Carl Hester's Wisdom: "Dedicate Yourself to Get Better, Nobody is Perfect"
Valegro Statue Unveiled in Carl Hester's Home Town Newent
Carl Hester: The Future of Dressage, Clockwork Mouse Type of Tests?