yhs

Take five with
Martin Clunes
The actor best known for playing Doc Martin talks about falling in love with horses in New Zealand,
owning a horse called Bruce and being president of the largest equestrian charity in the UK
Martin says he’s
happiest on his
Dorset farm
with his horses
PHOto: British Horse Society
Where did your love of horses come from?
I got drawn into the whole horse thing via my daughter
and my wife. I was very happy to be part of the support
team, drive the pony around and dress it up for fancy
dress and things, but I wasn’t that bothered about getting
on one or having a relationship with a horse myself.
Then I was doing a job in New Zealand and the girls
came out with me. I had to ride a horse in the film and
met the horse the day before shooting started, so my
wife and daughter came too and we all went for a ride.
I suddenly realised it was something the three of us
could do together and instantly — before we got back to
England — I texted someone and bought a horse.
How did you become involved with the British Horse
Society (BHS)?
I was at Hickstead in the BHS box, watching the jumping,
and somebody asked if I would be interested in being
the president. I thought “fantastic, if I get to go in this
box every year and meet all these great people, then
yes”! This year the society is celebrating its 70th year
and I am very honoured to be involved. The BHS does
so much for the horse and the equine community as a
whole. It’s great to be a part of it.
If you could ride any famous horse — past or
present — who would it be and why?
I would love to have a go on Bertie, the BHS’s horse
puppet. I’m sure he’s going to become one of the greats!
Are there any plans to get Doc Martin riding?
Not that I’m aware of, but it would be a beautiful place to
“Before we
got back to
England,
I’d bought
a horse”
Martin took over
as president of
the British Horse
Society in 2011.
The charity was
founded in 1947,
and has grown
to become the
largest and
most influential
equestrian
charity in
the UK, with
over 100,000
members.
Find out more
at bhs.org.uk.
go riding. We film Doc Martin in Port Isaac, Cornwall and
it’s stunning. It’s hilly and stacked up, and you’re never
looking at the same thing for any two paces — it changes
the whole time. The beautiful countryside and beaches
mean it would be a pleasure to ride there.
What is your fondest horsey memory?
I have so many, but one that still makes me laugh is when
Bruce, my horse, was trying to get my attention while I
was doing a live TV interview at my farm in Dorset.
I was being interviewed about the BHS’s new project,
Changing Lives Through Horses. It’s all about helping
disengaged children, who learn so much by working
with horses. Bruce kept nudging me throughout the
interview, much to the amusement of Lorraine Kelly,
who was laughing while trying to ask me questions.
If you could time travel, where would you go?
I’m happiest on my farm in Dorset, with my family and
all our animals. When I’m away working, it would be
nice to time travel back there.
What is your dream three-course meal?
I’m very lucky, as part of my role as president of the
BHS I get to attend various events. I went to one event
at Buckingham Palace, which was hosted by the BHS’s
vice-patron, HRH The Princess Royal, and that was a
dream three-course meal.
Who would play you in a film about your life?
I really couldn’t say! I admire so many actors, it would be
difficult to choose one.
130 your horse september 2018
www.yourhorse.co.uk