Myrtle Hallion

“I don’t think there is direct racism in showjumping in the UK, but the sport isn’t as diverse as it is abroad”
Claire Hallion

COULD BRITISH SHOWJUMPING be about to undergo a cultural makeover? If it is, mixed race Myrtle Hallion may well be the youthful human dynamo who will lead the way. In this era of Black Lives Matter, the 11-year-old’s doting stepfather Mark Hallion, himself a ‘name’ in the upper echelons of this white- (and often male-) dominated sport with eight showjumpers to compete, and her loving mother, Claire, are pushing the message via their daughter that talent, determination and hard work, rather than skin hue, are the characteristics that should bring success in the saddle.

Before she became Mrs Hallion a year ago, Claire Steel John, who fell in love with Mark in his sand school - he was the trainer, she the pupil - had been on the receiving end of sideways glances and