gordon richards was raised in the shropshire village of donnington wood (now part of telford), the son of a shropshire coal miner. his father reared several pit ponies at their home, and it was in this environment that sir gordon fostered his love of the equestrian. he rode the ponies bareback from an early age, then from the age of seven, drove the pony and trap passenger service his family ran between wrockwardine wood and oakengates station. it was at that age no doubt that he developed his unique riding style, using a long rein and an upright stance. he had two brothers, colin and clifford, who shared this love of horses and also became jockeys: the latter was a classic winning jockey.