Parsonage is still dreaming of tilt at World and Olympic glory

But anybody thinking his own ambitions are suddenly on the back-burner can think again.

The adopted Yorkshireman is thriving in his own renaissance as a top-class eventer – with dreams of a future World Championships and even another Olympics still burning bright.

Parsonage, 50, excelled on the grandest stage of all in 1996 when helping Great Britain to a fifth-placed finish in the team event on board Magic Rogue at the Atlanta Olympics. Now, some 17 years later, rising CCI four-star competitor Sligo Luckyvalier has the potential to put Parsonage on an international stage all over again.

A lot has happened in the interim – a quieter last decade on the eventing front seeing personal matters come first with Parsonage getting married, having children and relocating from Cheshire to Beverley. Then, only last month came his appointment as chair of selectors.

Next year’s annual FEI Pony Europeans are the main objective as far as that role is concerned but 17 years on from his awesome Atlanta experience, Parsonage still has major ambitions of his own.

Attempting to explain his second-coming as a top-class eventer, Parsonage told the Yorkshire Post: “It’s just how the cycle goes isn’t it really?

“You can be the best rider in the world but if you haven’t got a horse to sit on it’s different.

“You go in cycles with the horses. I’ve been very lucky to have Chris and Jenny Ellins, who have been long-standing owners over the years and they have been very loyal and stuck by me.

“But certainly getting married and having kids and having all that going on is quite life changing as well, isn’t it?”

Parsonage’s children, Freddie and Ben, are aged 10 and eight respectively.

The whole family, including wife Camilla, now very much regard the White Rose county as home following their move across the Pennines to Molescroft Farm in 2002.

“I’m a Yorkshireman now as I’ve been here 10 years I think,” said Parsonage.

“That’s if you can count me as one! I’m originally from Cheshire but when we got married I got moved up here because my wife originates from Beverley and now we rent the stables from the father-in-law on his farm here.

“The people this side of the Pennines are very warm and welcoming and we’ve been very lucky to have the facilities here at Molescroft.”

From that Molescroft base Parsonage and Sligo Luckyvalier have enjoyed a strong 2013, highlighted by a top-20 finish in the prestigious CCI four-star event at Luhmuhlen in June.

Whatever the future holds, Parsonage counts himself fortunate to have savoured so many highs as an eventer – not least three victories in the Eventing Grand Prix at the Royal International Horse Show.

“I’ve had some great experiences – fantastic really,” said Parsonage.

“It’s one of those lifestyles where you are never going to be a millionaire but if you can scratch a living and earn what you are doing as well then that’s all part of it.

“And these days I obviously do a fair bit of coaching and instructing as well. It’s nice to pass on that experience and knowledge really.”

Parsonage will certainly be doing more and more of that in his new role as chair of selectors.

But even at the age of 50 there has been no diminishing of his own personal ambitions whatsoever.

Parsonage added: “It all comes down to the horses again but if Sligo Luckyvalier stays sound then next year is the World Championships and if he goes well then he should be in with a shout of that with the experience he has got now.

“And then you don’t know from there do you – maybe another Olympics?”

If not, there is always the coaching – not to mention the prospect of two of ‘his own’ developing the eventing bug.

At this stage, however, the prospect of sons Freddie and Ben becoming international eventers has not been entertained.

Parsonage joked that he is keen to keep it that way – for the sake of his wallet.

Assessing the chances of his sons following in his footsteps, Parsonage mused: “If you asked me, I would say it wouldn’t worry me either way really whether they did 
or they didn’t.

“But put it this way, tennis rackets are cheaper aren’t they? And safer.”

Siblings set sights on more success

Northallerton’s rapidly emerging show-jumping siblings are already setting their sights on more success in 2014.

Alex Gill, 15, and his 10-year-old sister Connie both excelled at this year’s Horse Of The Show at Birmingham’s NEC.

Alex won the Blue Chip Pony Newcomers on Friday on his seven-year-old grey Wildwood Silver, whom he has ridden for the last year. He also came third on Sunday in the Junior Showjumper Of The Year on nine-year-old Amman Valley Santino, whom he has ridden for the last three years.

Not be outdone, little sister Connie won the Naylors Equestrian 138cm Championship on her outstanding 11-year-old bay Dycott Masterman, whom she has ridden since Christmas.

The achievement was all the more remarkable given that Connie, who was also victorious at the Scope Festival this year, still has three years left in this age group. Alex and Connie’s achievements also saw family success at HOYS carry on into a third generation.

Grandfather David Boston Barker, who rode at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and uncle Paul Barker are both past winners at HOYS.

Unsurprisingly, for the duo, who both attend Cundall Manor School, there are now plenty of exciting plans regards the future.

Alex and Connie’s mum, Victoria revealed: “Alex will try again next year to get picked for the Pony Europeans and hopefully win another national class.

“With Connie still having three years left in 138 classes, she will hope to build on winning at HOYS and Scope by winning the other big class at Hickstead next summer.

“These results come as great reward for all the hard work that is involved, mainly after school and by all the family members that are involved.”

In the summer, Alex was also picked to jump for Great Britain pony teams in France, Germany and Italy. He also came second in the 148cm national class at the Scope Festival. Connie was also picked to represent England this summer at the Welsh Home Pony where the team won a silver medal.