Major Richard Waygood MBE

Richard is Eventing Performance Manager for British Equestrian’s World Class Programme and also current Performance Director for the World Class Programme. He spent eight years as Chef d’Equipe for the British Dressage team, leading them to a victory at the London 2012 Olympics.

He joined the army as a private soldier in 1979, was commissioned from the ranks in 2000 and retired a major in 2009, having held the high profile and prestigious role of Riding Master for seven years. During this time, he trained and choreographed the world famous Household Cavalry Musical Ride and was the first serving officer of the British Army to compete at Badminton for 23 years - finishing clear, and inside the top 20. 

He has also won the celebrated King’s and Queen’s Cups on more occasions than any other rider. In 2009, Richard received an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen for services to equestrianism.

As well as being a dedicated ambassador for Brooke, Richard still competes internationally in three-day eventing and coaches all over the globe. His current Team GB roles keep him busy at home and abroad, and the team has had many impressive wins, including gold in 2018 at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon and another outstanding gold for Britain in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. 

Richard brings an incredible amount of equestrian knowledge to his role at Brooke and has animal welfare at the heart of all that he does.