Equestrian: Todd beats them all in century of sport

HAMILTON - Cambridge equestrian Mark Todd has been named Waikato's Sportsperson of the Century.

The world-renowned rider took the title from a star-studded field of 10 athletes who had excelled at international and national level during the past 100 years.

The award comes two months after Todd was named Rider of the Century by the English Equestrian Association.

Todd beat out other finalists that included rugby legend Colin Meads, squash great Dame Susan Devoy and world champion rower Rob Waddell.

His parents will accept the award on his behalf at a ceremony tomorrow night.

Norman and Lenore Todd said they were proud of their son and wished him the best for the Badminton competition in England this weekend.

"The English win makes him a winner in two centuries now," said Mr Todd.

Mark Todd has won two Olympic gold medals, in the three-day events at Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988, numerous world championship titles and medals and three Badminton and five Burleigh successes.

He is preparing for his final assault on Badminton on Eyespy II but faces a tough task bettering his 21-year record-breaking career.

One of his best mounts, Broadcast News, on which he won the 1997 European championship title, was forced into retirement this year while a tendon injury has ruled out top Olympic prospect Word for Word from competing at Sydney.

Todd will compete in his last season, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and will then return from his English base to live at a Cambridge property he bought for more than $1.2 million this year.

Todd, with wife Carolyn and children Lauren, aged 11 and James, aged 6, wants to convert the Kaipati Rd property into a boutique horse-breeding operation.

It will also serve as a retirement home for his old Olympic winner, Charisma.

- NZPA