Sark’s golden post box
Sark horseman Carl Hester won a gold medal at the London Olympics this week along with fellow riders Charlotte Dujardin and Laura Bechtolsheimer in the team dressage event. Carl grew up in Sark and was passionate about horses from an early age. He learnt to ride on a donkey and left Sark at the age of 19 to work at a riding school in Hampshire. Shortly after he began to compete and has become one of the finest dressage riders in the world. Although Carl has won 51 titles in his career, this is his first Olympic medal after competing in three previous Games. All around the UK the Royal Mail have been celebrating every gold medal win by painting a post box gold in each winner’s hometown. Guernsey Post decided to honour Carl’s win in the same way and within 24 hours of his gaining the medal Sark’s normally blue post box was transformed to gleaming gold. Charlotte and Laura also went on to win gold and bronze in the individual dressage competition. Carl and his team will feature on a set of British stamps celebrating team GB’s success in the 2012 Olympics.
