THE top horsewoman has always come across as a kindly, even homely, person.

Here she reveals herself to also be a driven professional, determined to be selected for the Olympics for a sixth time and who won’t be content with anything other than a gold medal.

There are interesting chapters about how she got started and how she managed to fit in motherhood while competing on the gruelling three-day eventing circuit.

Mary also goes into detail about team dynamics and never shies away from the disasters that have befallen her career – like the time she broke her neck.

If only she could have maintained a steady trot while telling her story rather than breaking into a mad gallop at the end.