Leslie Law

Leslie Law was born and raised in rural Herefordshire but did not come from the traditional wealthy background of other equestrian competitors. He struggled for recognition in the early part of his career but when the regular rider of Welton Apollo was struck down by illness, Law took over the ride and they formed a partnership which led to them being chosen for the 1989 European Championship. It took until the late nineties for Law to become a major player on the world scene but with the full brothers Shear H2O and Shear L’Eau he became a regular visitor to championship podiums. He was a team member when Britain won the European Championships in 2001 and 2003 and silver medals at both the 2000 Olympic Games and the 2002 World Equestrian Games.

Law’s greatest moment came in controversial circumstances at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He was originally awarded the silver medal but the Court of Arbitration for Sport overruled a decision by the International Equestrian Federation to allow an appeal against the imposition of time penalties against the German rider Bettina Hoy and was upgraded to the gold medal a few days after the event ended. Law had returned home to England when he was elevated to Olympic champion and learnt of the decision by phone call whilst competing at an event for novice horses in the English Midlands.

He has the unique distinction of being awarded his Olympic gold at Buckingham Palace during a reception for Olympic medalists. In 2006 he moved to the USA where he has earned a growing reputation as a trainer. He has married twice, firstly to Harriet Harrison, granddaughter of actor Rex Harrison and daughter of Noel Harrison and secondly to Canadian eventer Lesley Grant.