British equestrian Laura Collett scooped two medals at the Paris 2024 Games, including Team GB’s first gold of the Olympics.
The Leamington-Spa-born competitor rode alongside Ros Canter and Tom McEwen as the talented trio secured back-to-back gold medals in the Team Eventing competition.
Collett confirmed the victory with a performance that was described as “poetry in motion” by her teammate McEwen and rounded off a very productive showing in the French capital by clinching bronze in the Individual Eventing.
Here’s everything you need to know about Team GB’s double medal-winning hero.
Laura Collett Career Highlights
Before voyaging into the world of Eventing, Laura Collett competed with show ponies and working hunter ponies.
At just 13, the now 34-year-old won the supreme pony title at the Horse of the Year Show in 2003, sparking a junior career that would see her amass nine medals.
Collett enjoyed her greatest successes while riding the horse London 52. Together they’ve won Blenheim 4*, Pau 5*, Badminton 5*, and three Olympic medals, including her latest two at the Paris Games.
Life Outside Of The Olympics
It’s fair to say Collett’s journey has been filled with plenty of ups and downs.
Following a heavy fall on her horse in 2013, she had to be resuscitated five times and given an emergency tracheotomy by paramedics after suffering a fractured shoulder, broken ribs, a punctured lung, a lacerated liver, and damage to her kidneys.
Thankfully, she made a miraculous recovery and was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to equestrianism.
Away from competing, she runs a training facility in the Cotswolds with 20 acres of fields, 11 stables, and a large outdoor school.
Next: Everything you need to know about Olympic gold medalist Rosalind Canter
Header image credits: Laura’s IG
