Born and raised on his parents' farm in Yorkshire, Michael and his brother John were taught to ride by their mother, a keen horsewoman. Michael was soon competing on ponies of his own, as well as those of friends. His experience quickly took him on to horses where he earned a reputation as a strong and determined rider. In 1980, Michael became the youngest ever winner of the famous Hickstead Derby at the age of 20 and in 1984 at the young age of 24, Michael won an Olympic team silver medal in Los Angeles.
In September 1993 Michael took over from his brother John as the world's Number One for the first time in his career. In 1999 Michael was the highest placed British rider in the World Cup Final finishing 5th overall with Virtual Village Ashley and he beat this record by finishing third with Handel II in 2001.
In his long career, Michael has won 11 team medals at championship level, three of them gold. He also holds three individual silver medals won at European Championships.
In 2007, he was part of the bronze medal winning team at the European Championships, Mannheim and also gained the team crucial qualification to the 2008 Olympic Games.
Major Achievements:
- Team Bronze European Championships 2007
- Team Bronze European Championships 1996
- Team Silver and Individual Silver European Championships 1995
- Team Silver and Individual Silver European Championships 1993
- Team Silver European Championships 1991
- Team Bronze World Championships 1990
- Team Gold Team and Individual Silver European Championships 1989
- Team Gold Team European Championships 1987
- Team Silver World Championships 1986
- Team Gold European Championships 1985
- Team Silver Olympic Games 1984, Los Angeles
- Team Gold Junior European Championships 1978
- Team Bronze Junior European Championships 1976
Michael has been a member of the British nations Cup team on 167 occasions, 34 of these were British victories