Thursday, 11 July 2024
Veteran UK producers Drew Curtis (Ironclad, The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson, Ibiza the Silent Movie) and Richard Conway (The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson, Sexy Beast, Alien Vs Predator) will work with seven-time Olympian, Carl Hester MBE, to tell the inspirational story of his remarkable rise from the humblest of beginnings on the tiny channel island of Sark to team triumph at the London 2012 Olympics in a theatrical biopic appropriately named STRIDE.
In front of a record-breaking London crowd, and millions of viewers around the world, Hester, competing on Uthopia, alongside his legendary horse Valegro, ridden by Charlotte Dujardin (both trained by Hester at his yard in Gloucestershire) won team Gold in dressage for the first time ever, securing their places in equestrian history.
Remarkably, Laura Tomlinson (née Bechtolsheimer), the third member of the dressage team in 2012, began her training with Hester when he was a working pupil for her late father, Dr Wilfred Bechtolsheimer.
Hester, having begun his Olympic career as the youngest ever British rider at Barcelona in 1992, will now compete as the oldest British rider in Paris later this year, a record seventh appearance at the Games. At the age of 57 and with three Olympic medals under his belt, Hester’s remarkable journey continues as he works tirelessly, both as rider and trainer, to increase the medal haul for Team GB.
Through his unique and sensitive approach to equestrian health and welfare, since copied the world over, Hester has forever transformed the world of dressage.
STRIDE will tell the true story of Carl Hester and his path to glory at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
From growing up in a single parent family on Sark, a tiny channel island with no cars, through his formative years of hard work and dedication with the guidance of great mentors to becoming arguably the greatest dressage rider, trainer and owner of all time.
Drew Curtis commented; “It’s easy to forget that dressage at individual level is still a team endeavour, the precise unison of rider and horse. To succeed, both need to be at the top of their game and if either one has an off day, then that hard work will be all for naught."
"Carl has proven time and time again that he is both an exceptional athlete and, by partnering his legendary horse, Valegro, with Charlotte Dujardin for their Olympic Games debut in 2012, an incredible manager. Carl Hester's journey has done for dressage what Billy Elliot did for ballet.”
Richard Conway added, “Hester is one of the greatest Olympic legends of all time uniquely as competitor, trainer and mentor. It’s King Richard and International Velvet rolled into one.”
“Stride is not just a film for equestrians. Carl’s moving and humble story of passion, hard work and self-belief will undoubtedly prove an inspiration to all.”
And Carl said, “I am excited to be working with Drew & Richard in bringing my story to the big screen and showing that with dedication and hard work even humble beginnings can take someone to the top.”
“Looking back on 2012, it was an incredible journey and a fairy-tale result. Undoubtedly the greatest moment in my career to date”