Three Days Running The Revised Autobiography of Sheila Willcox

Sheila Willcox was, without doubt, one of the most talented horse people of the last century. She combined huge determination and courage with meticulous attention to detail and expert knowledge in all things pertaining to the care and training of horses, whether they were to event, compete in dressage, show jump or simply shine in the show ring.In the 1950s and 1960s she was living the ultimate pony clubber's dream that was described in pony books which were very popular in those decades. She was not raised in a horsey family but upon acquiring her first pony, Folly and by dint of determination and innate skill she rose to the dizzy heights of winning the Supreme Champion Hack at the Royal International Horse Show with Blithe Spirit in 1955. She then purchased and trained High and Mighty for three-day events, winning gold at the European Championships in 1956, then second to Colonel Weldon on Kilbarry at Badminton 1956.At Badminton that year her hand was forced, and she sold High and Mighty to Ted Marsh, so that he might be lent to the British Olympic Team for the Stockholm Olympics in 1956. At that stage women were barred from competing in the Olympic three-day eventing competition. The Team members were unable to ride her horse properly and he never went to the Olympics and Sheila was able to buy him back. They then went on to win every important event open to them.Her original autobiography 'Three Days Running' published in 1958 was an edited version of her story up until the age of 21 years but it was not the whole story. She was seduced by a much older married man who was prominent in eventing and this relationship had a significant effect on the rest of her life. This version of the autobiography goes on to include her second win at Badminton in 1958 and her marriage in November that year. Sheila died in 2017 and she left behind a great many manuscripts that detailed the events of her life and she wanted vindication. She wanted the truth to be known. Hopefully in this revised autobiography, and a sequel currently in preparation, we have complied with her wishes. Her family are donating 20 per cent of the e-publishing profits to an Alzheimer's charity.