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'The builders took the roof off and all the walls fell down': Mary King on her first house in the country

Mary King, the six-time Olympian and one of the most decorated riders in the history of eventing, on her first country home.

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Olympic equestrian eventer Mary King at her home in Devon.
Olympic equestrian eventer Mary King at her home in Devon.
(Image credit: Alamy)

Where is it?

Near Sidmouth in Devon.

A quick description

A barn ‘conversion’, built on the site of my event horses’ old yard. The yard was originally part of a farm that I adapted for horses early on in my career.

How did it come about?

An owner, Nick Engert, told me that he thought the yard buildings would make an amazing conversion. It sparked an idea, so I began breeding horses and I sold some to finance the project. One, Kings Temptress, was sold, but I kept the ride.

Mary King on Kings Ginger, as pictured in Horse & Hound in 2018

Mary King on Kings Ginger, as pictured in Horse & Hound in 2018, riding along the cliffs near her home in Devon.

(Image credit: Horse & Hound / Future)

Was it a smooth process?

The site is in the East Devon National Landscape and, with so many restrictions, it took about three years to get planning permission. Initially, it was supposed to be a conversion, but the builders took off the roof and the walls fell down, so I had to go through the whole process again for a new-build.

Favourite aspect of the conversion

I couldn’t afford smart architects, so a friend, Jackie Michelmore, was instrumental in the design. It was her idea to have full-height glazing in the sitting room and over the roof. She made it truly special and I love this room where the light floods in and the log burner, set on a raised plinth with a tall, exposed silver flue, is a real eye-catcher.

Mary King on Kings Ginger, as pictured in Horse & Hound in 2018

Riding through Devon's pretty villages is a joy.

(Image credit: Horse & Hound / Future)

Best memory of living there

Waking up on the first morning and having my horses just outside the door. Every day for 20 years, I had driven 15 miles to and from my husband David’s farm to the yard. He was reluctant to move, but now he loves it.

Biggest indulgence

The Aga, underfloor heating and a solid wooden floor.

Dual Badminton winner Mary King, who recently retired from eventing, will be on the Ariat Stand (No 81) at certain times during the MARS Badminton Horse Trials, Gloucestershire, May 6–10.

Olympic equestrian eventer Mary King at her home in Devon

(Image credit: Alamy)
Julie Harding
Julie Harding
News and Property Editor

Julie Harding is Country Life’s News and Property Editor. She is a former editor of Your Horse, Country Smallholding and Eventing, a sister title to Horse & Hound, which she ran for 11 years. Julie has a master’s degree in English and she grew up on a working Somerset dairy farm and in a Grade II*-listed farmhouse, both of which imbued her with a love of farming, the countryside and historic buildings. She returned to her Somerset roots 18 years ago after a stint in the ‘big smoke’ (ie, the south east) and she now keeps a raft of animals, which her long-suffering (and heroic) husband, Andrew, and four children, help to look after to varying degrees.