20 NZ Olympic Moments: No. 11, 'That's Todd for two and two for Todd'

Mark Todd is reunited with Charisma on their return to New Zealand in 1988. Photo / NZ Herald

Herald sports writers Dylan Cleaver and David Leggat continue to count down New Zealand's great Olympic moments. Today, at number 11, we remember the second triumph of champion eventer Mark Todd in 1988.

Last year, aged 55, Mark Todd won the famous Badminton horse trial for the fourth time.

It was a remarkable achievement. Then again, for much of the tall horseman's career, he's been performing remarkable deeds with uncommon ease.

He stunned the eventing world with his first Badminton victory aboard Southern Comfort in 1980 and four years later, with a horse he called Podge, Todd became the first New Zealander to win an equestrian Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles.

A touch of luck went the Cambridge rider's way. Karen Stives needed only a clear round aboard her mount Ben Arthur to win both individual gold and the team title for the United States. Todd lay second. One rail down and the gold was his. As he puffed nervously on a cigarette, Stives set off. All went well until the 11th, penultimate fence when a rail toppled and Todd was mobbed.

Four years on and the pair were in business again in Seoul.

This time Todd was the supreme performer aboard a horse with whom he formed an intuitive relationship.

They had only 37.6 penalty points on the dressage phase, traditionally New Zealand riders' weakest prong, and went clear on the cross country round, meaning he had 15 points up his sleeve from Britain's Ian Stark when the combination entered the showjumping arena.

They dropped one rail. No matter. As television commentator Brian O'Flaherty excitedly called it "that's Todd for two, and two for Todd!". Only once before had a rider won back-to-back three-day event golds.

A generation or more of New Zealand riders have him to thank for being a trailblazer - and providing an inspirational presence.

Todd has won four Badmintons, five Burghley crowns, two world team titles and was New Zealand's flag carrier at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. In 2000 he was voted the Event Rider of the 20th Century by the International Equestrian Federation.

At Badminton one year, as onlookers marvelled at his ability on a wet cross country track, prominent British jockey and author John Francome shouted to anyone within earshot: "Look at him! Just look at him! He could win this on a donkey."

Charisma was retired from eventing after Seoul.