Derek Allhusen

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Equestrian
Olympic medal record
Gold	1968 Mexico City	Team Event
Silver	1968 Mexico City	Individual Event

Major Derek Swithin Allhusen, CVO (January 9, 1914 - April 4, 2000) was an English equestrian who was a 54 year old grandfather when he rode Lochinvar to team gold and individual silver medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico.

Derek Swithin Allhusen was born in London and educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1937 he married The Hon Claudia Betterton. He served throughout the Second World War with 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, being awarded the American Silver Star in 1944.^[1]

On returning from Germany he brought back two horses with him and settled in Claxton, Norfolk. He rode one of the horses, Laura when representing Britain in the pentathlon at the 1948 Winter Olympic Games. He eventually took up eventing in 1955, riding Laura's daughter Laurien on two European Championship teams, winning a team gold medal in 1957, then team silver and individual bronze in 1959. In 1961 he bought Irish-bred Lochinvar and rode her in two winning European Championship teams (in 1967 and 1969) as well as the gold and silver at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He was awarded an MBE for his achievements but declined it; feeling his team-mates Richard Meade, Mary Bullen and Reuben Jones also deserved recognition.

On his retirement from the sport he continued as a breeder and Laurien's son Laurieston was ridden to team and individual Olympic gold medals in 1972 Games in Munich, with Richard Meade in the saddle. Derek was awarded a CVO in 1984 and was president of the British Horse Society from 1986 to 1988.

[edit] Notes

^ "Allhusen, Derek S.". U.S. Army Awards of the Silver Star for Conspicuous Gallantry in Action During WORLD WAR II. HomeofHeroes.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-13.