Bertie Hill
Bertie Hill
Bertie Hill
1927-2005
1927-2005
A West Country man first and foremost, amateur rider Albert Edwin ‘Bertie’ Hill was born on February 7, 1927. Far better known in the world of three-day eventing – he was an Olympic gold medallist at Stockholm in 1956 and won a host of other international trophies – he was also among the most successful point-to-point riders in the West Country and rode 18 winners under National Hunt rules.
A West Country man first and foremost, amateur rider Albert Edwin ‘Bertie’ Hill was born on February 7, 1927. Far better known in the world of three-day eventing – he was an Olympic gold medallist at Stockholm in 1956 and won a host of other international trophies – he was also among the most successful point-to-point riders in the West Country and rode 18 winners under National Hunt rules.
It is possible that he also rode two winners abroad, because when gaining his eighth success under NH rules on White Paint at Newton Abbot on August 17, 1957, his claim was cut from 7lb to 5lb, whereas at that time it required ten winners for a rider’s claim to be reduced to 5lb.
It is possible that he also rode two winners abroad, because when gaining his eighth success under NH rules on White Paint at Newton Abbot on August 17, 1957, his claim was cut from 7lb to 5lb, whereas at that time it required ten winners for a rider’s claim to be reduced to 5lb.
After serving in the Home Guard during the Second World War, he began riding in point-to-points. By the time he reached his early twenties he was considered such an outstanding horseman that he was recommended for inclusion in the 1952 Olympic three-day event team for Helsinki. He was chosen to ride Colonel John Miller’s mare Stella and came seventh out of 60, the highest British placing.
After serving in the Home Guard during the Second World War, he began riding in point-to-points. By the time he reached his early twenties he was considered such an outstanding horseman that he was recommended for inclusion in the 1952 Olympic three-day event team for Helsinki. He was chosen to ride Colonel John Miller’s mare Stella and came seventh out of 60, the highest British placing.
He owned, trained and rode his first winner under National Hunt rules on Mizzenbuss in the Bussey Stool Novices’ Hurdle at Wincanton on March 18, 1954. Later that year, Mizzenbuss became his second winner when winning the Charles Vicary Memorial Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot’s 1954 Christmas meeting.
He owned, trained and rode his first winner under National Hunt rules on Mizzenbuss in the Bussey Stool Novices’ Hurdle at Wincanton on March 18, 1954. Later that year, Mizzenbuss became his second winner when winning the Charles Vicary Memorial Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot’s 1954 Christmas meeting.
Also in 1954, riding Ted Marsh’s horse Crispin, Bertie became the first British rider ever to win the European three-day event Championship.
Also in 1954, riding Ted Marsh’s horse Crispin, Bertie became the first British rider ever to win the European three-day event Championship.
His focus for the next two years was firmly on the 1956 Olympics. While the main thrust of the Games was in Melbourne, the equestrian element was held in Stockholm. Bertie was part of Great Britain’s three-day event team, having been selected to ride the Queen’s top-class eventer Countryman. Only bad luck robbed him of an individual gold medal, when Countryman slipped into a wide ditch on the cross-country course, but as Britain won the team gold medal, it nonetheless proved a great occasion.
His focus for the next two years was firmly on the 1956 Olympics. While the main thrust of the Games was in Melbourne, the equestrian element was held in Stockholm. Bertie was part of Great Britain’s three-day event team, having been selected to ride the Queen’s top-class eventer Countryman. Only bad luck robbed him of an individual gold medal, when Countryman slipped into a wide ditch on the cross-country course, but as Britain won the team gold medal, it nonetheless proved a great occasion.
Returning to race-riding, Bertie won five races from 38 rides in the 1956/57 NH season, three from 15 in 1957/58, two from 34 in 1958/59 and four from 23 in 1959/60. Eight of those 14 wins were gained on handicap hurdler White Paint. He then refocused his attentions on the forthcoming Rome Olympics.
Returning to race-riding, Bertie won five races from 38 rides in the 1956/57 NH season, three from 15 in 1957/58, two from 34 in 1958/59 and four from 23 in 1959/60. Eight of those 14 wins were gained on handicap hurdler White Paint. He then refocused his attentions on the forthcoming Rome Olympics.
This time he rode the Ted Marsh’s good-looking 17-hand bay Wild Venture, only to take a crashing fall at the second fence of the cross-country course. Bertie remounted and completed the course without pushing the horse too hard, depriving himself of valuable bonus points. Despite the other British riders having their own share of problems, the team was only pipped by half a point for the bronze medal. Nonetheless, Bertie had become the first rider to represent Britain in three consecutive Olympic Games.
This time he rode the Ted Marsh’s good-looking 17-hand bay Wild Venture, only to take a crashing fall at the second fence of the cross-country course. Bertie remounted and completed the course without pushing the horse too hard, depriving himself of valuable bonus points. Despite the other British riders having their own share of problems, the team was only pipped by half a point for the bronze medal. Nonetheless, Bertie had become the first rider to represent Britain in three consecutive Olympic Games.
In 1962 Bertie had 12 winning point-to-point rides, eight of them on his own unbeaten Bright ‘n Gay. His last two wins under NH rules came on his old ally White Paint at Devon & Exeter’s Whitsun bank holiday fixture. By then 14 years old, White Paint defied his years by winning the Whitsuntide Selling Handicap Hurdle on the Saturday and the Crediton Selling Hurdle on the Monday.
In 1962 Bertie had 12 winning point-to-point rides, eight of them on his own unbeaten Bright ‘n Gay. His last two wins under NH rules came on his old ally White Paint at Devon & Exeter’s Whitsun bank holiday fixture. By then 14 years old, White Paint defied his years by winning the Whitsuntide Selling Handicap Hurdle on the Saturday and the Crediton Selling Hurdle on the Monday.
Had he really wanted too, there is little doubt that Bertie could have represented Britain again at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. However, he preferred to shun the limelight and remain on his farm in Devon. His success on the racecourse and point-to-pointing gave him all the pleasure he wanted.
Had he really wanted too, there is little doubt that Bertie could have represented Britain again at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. However, he preferred to shun the limelight and remain on his farm in Devon. His success on the racecourse and point-to-pointing gave him all the pleasure he wanted.
His greatest ambition was to own, train and ride the winner of the Foxhunters’ Chase at Cheltenham. Sadly, that was one ambition he failed to achieve.
His greatest ambition was to own, train and ride the winner of the Foxhunters’ Chase at Cheltenham. Sadly, that was one ambition he failed to achieve.
Bertie Hill died on August 5, 2005, aged 77.
Bertie Hill died on August 5, 2005, aged 77.
Bertie Hill’s National Hunt wins were, in chronological order:
Bertie Hill’s National Hunt wins were, in chronological order:
1. Mizzen Bus, Wincanton, March 18,1954
1. Mizzen Bus, Wincanton, March 18,1954
2. Mizzen Bus, Newton Abbot, December 27, 1954
2. Mizzen Bus, Newton Abbot, December 27, 1954
3. White Paint, Newton Abbot, August 17, 1956
3. White Paint, Newton Abbot, August 17, 1956
4. White Paint, Devon & Exeter, September 13, 1956
4. White Paint, Devon & Exeter, September 13, 1956
5. White Paint, Newton Abbot, October 20, 1956
5. White Paint, Newton Abbot, October 20, 1956
6. Red Beret, Taunton, April 13, 1957
6. Red Beret, Taunton, April 13, 1957
7. White Paint, Newton Abbot, April 20, 1957
7. White Paint, Newton Abbot, April 20, 1957
8. White Paint, Newton Abbot, August 17, 1957 (claim reduced to 5lb thereafter)
8. White Paint, Newton Abbot, August 17, 1957 (claim reduced to 5lb thereafter)
9. Red Beret, Devon & Exeter, September 12, 1957
9. Red Beret, Devon & Exeter, September 12, 1957
10. Plumber’s Mate, Newton Abbot, May 10, 1958
10. Plumber’s Mate, Newton Abbot, May 10, 1958
11. White Paint, Newton Abbot, September 4, 1958
11. White Paint, Newton Abbot, September 4, 1958
12. Hayward, Buckfastleigh, March 28, 1959
12. Hayward, Buckfastleigh, March 28, 1959
13. White Paint, Newton Abbot, August 3, 1959
13. White Paint, Newton Abbot, August 3, 1959
14. White Paint, Devon & Exeter, August 19, 1959
14. White Paint, Devon & Exeter, August 19, 1959
15. Xmas Box, Wincanton, March 11, 1960
15. Xmas Box, Wincanton, March 11, 1960
16. Notus, Buckfastleigh, June 6, 1960
16. Notus, Buckfastleigh, June 6, 1960
17. White Paint, Devon & Exeter, June 9, 1962
17. White Paint, Devon & Exeter, June 9, 1962
18. White Paint, Devon & Exeter, June 11, 1962
18. White Paint, Devon & Exeter, June 11, 1962
