Derek Allhusen

Derek Allhusen made his Olympic début in 1948 when he placed sixth in the Winter Pentathlon, included in the Winter Games at St. Moritz as a demonstration event. Twenty years later, the 54-year-old Allhusen, supported by Jane Bullen, Ben Jones and Richard Meade, led the British team to victory in the three-day event at the Mexico Olympics. He also won a silver medal in the individual event. Allhusen’s first international success came at Købnhaven in 1957 when, riding Laurien, he was a member of the winning British team at the European Championships. He later rode [Lochinvar] at all the major events, including the 1968 Olympics and the European Championships in 1967 and 1969 when Great Britain won the team event. Educated at Eton, Le Rosey and Trinity College, Cambridge, Major Allhusen served in the 9th Lancers but left the Army in 1937 to marry the Honorable Claude Betterton. He rejoined his regiment in 1938 and competed at the International Horse Show at Olympia and at the Dublin Horse Show in 1939. After he retired from the Army and from competitive evening, Derek Allhusen concentrated on breeding and training top-class horses on his Norfolk estate with Lauriston, on which Richard Meade won the gold medal at the 1972 Olympics, coming from his stable. He was awarded an MBE for his achievements but declined it; feeling his teammates also deserved the recognition. However, in 1984, Allhusen was awarded a CVO.