The Big Picture: Shire genius with Olympic Bronze medallist Louis Smith

The 19-year-old gymnast was only taking what we consider a modern sport back to its origins in the armies of ancient Greece and Rome, when the soldiers would practise manoeuvres on an artificial horse as part of their training.


This method of honing the legions’ skills was noted by fifth century Roman writer Vegetius. Some 1,200 years later, a military drill instructor developed Vegetius’ description into the art of equestrian acrobatics. It evolved further, particularly in 19th

century Berlin, and became the Olympic apparatus we now know as the pommel horse.

Louis had to be brave to attempt a part of his routine on Scott. This magnificent creature, from Waldburg Shires, based at the Shire Horse Society within Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre near Peterborough, stands 18.2 hands high, which is
more than six feet — some two feet higher than the 115cm stipulated for Olympic
competition.

Louis benefits from National Lottery funding thanks to Lottery players who raise £25million a week for good causes.