Second Chance: The Autobiography

by Mark Todd

Mark Todd's eventing career is the stuff of legend and encompasses one of the greatest sporting comebacks of all time. When he 'retired' from competing in eventing in 2000, he had already been named 'Rider of the Century' for his natural empathy with a horse and his extraordinary success, which included back-to-back Olympic gold medals, five Burghley wins and three Badminton victories. The story of his progress from dairy farmer to world renowned sportsman is told with typically laid-back humor, but it reveals the fierce determination, discipline, and personal sacrifice that lies behind Todd's calm exterior.

Genres: Autobiography, Nonfiction, Horses

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

Reviews

[Melanie Pickerill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just started this .. no frills equestrian autobiography … we did this and then we did that … and then I won a gold medal in the Olympics …. By chapter 4 !

Eventing enthusiasts will enjoy though .. what’s not to like ?!!

[Geraldine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Mark Todd's second book of his career with horses. Again, as with his first book of his life, this is very readable. It covers the time from the Sydney Olympics where Mark won an individual bronze, retired from cross country riding and concentrated on a life training race horses. Mark has moved back to New Zealand from the UK to do this. Mark is encouraged to make a comeback to 3 day eventing and he does so stunningly with his fourth win at Badminton and a team bronze medal at the London Olympics. For those interested in Mark Todd, horses and/or 3 day eventing, this book is very highly recommended.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this - I think partly due to my own horsey background - but also its the classic inspiring tale of an ordinary kid, with no connections to the sport, having the drive and committment to succeed on the international scene. Mark does come over as a bit of a tosser in parts - lots of boozey parties, name-dropping, juvenile pranks etc well into his 50s, & far too many friends called Tiffy, Buffy & Piggy etc. But no denying the man had/s talent, & it's a fascinating look at the British eventing set. Plus his love and concern for his family & his horses shone through too.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 67. Recaps the last one and carries on through his retirement and return to eventing up to London 2012. A good read. The editing could be better, I’ve read editors proofs with less mistakes. 😳🙄🤓📚🐎 #tsreadinglist2019 #tsrecommendations

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE MAN
THE MYTH
THE LEGEND

[Tania]

Thanks Mark for sharing that life has its ups and down - even in when you have a celebrity status. Some of the horse detail I skimmed as I was looking at the human (s).

[Jordan C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

April Book Report, Second Chance, by Mark Todd

In the second autobiography by Mark Todd, Mark goes over the events that happen in his first book, but then continues on to talk about many other things that happened after he wrote his first book. Mark describes his retirement and what helped him decide to retire from Eventing. He also talks about his racehorse training years after retirement. He breeds and buys many very successful horses. He ends up coming back to Eventing in 2008 and starts to rise up in the new Eventing world. He and his wife Carolyn go through difficulties and end up getting divorced. Mark's long time partner Charisma dies in 2002. In the end of the book, Mark is knighted by Queen Elizabeth!

The message that I believe Mark Todd was trying to put out was to never give up on your dreams. In the book, Mark stays in a career with horses, even after retiring. He also comes back into Eventing after a 10 year absence to continue to live his dream. Mark became a legend of a rider who became who he dreamed to be. He has influenced many young riders, including me, to follow there dreams.

[Catherine Vercoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

i decided to read this book because i had seen it in a book store and thought that i would enjoy reading about one of the greatest riders in history. This completes the autobiography part of my bingo board.my favourite quote from this book was " i had done a faultless cross country round only to find i had missed a check point" this was my favourite quote because i have done this at show and like him i found it very annoying. Something new i learnt form this book is that Mark Todds horse Chrisma was tiny and jumped a fence that was up to 2meters high and the horse was only 158cm tall. I found that mark todd described where he lived in New Zealand when he got married very interesting, and big block on flatish land with a huge house in Mystery Creek.

[Lynda T · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, but a bit too factual and based on scores for me. I'd prefer to have heard more about thoughts and feelings and more on the horses, personalities etc. just a bit stale by the end