17hh Cornishman V was born in 1959 by the Thoroughbred Golden Surprise out of an unregistered mare named Polly. He was purchased as a four year old by Mary Gordon-Watson's father for £500 at a Cornish farm sale and was hunted and ran in point-to-points.
Mary Gordon-Watson started riding Cornishman when she needed a horse to take her Pony Club A test on, she was encouraged to event him by Major Paddy Burke. The Olympic selection comittee were interested in the pair for the 1968 Mexico Olympics but unfortunately Mary took a fall from Cornishman in a working hunter class and broke her leg.
Cornishman V was lent to the British team and ridden by Richard Meade in the Mexico Olympics where they achieved a team gold.
The following year back with Mary Gordon Watson Cornishman V won the individual gold at the Haras Du Pin European Championships. Over the following years they went on to win both the individual and team gold at the Punchestown World Championships, they were placed several times at Badminton and placed 4th at the Burghley Euopeans while achieving team gold. In 1972 Cornishman V went on to win his second Olympic gold medal at the Munich Olympics where he finished overall fourth but won team gold.
Cornishman V was retired from eventing in 1973 but Mary continued to hunt him and his second career as a filmstar began. In 1974 Cornishman appeared in the film based on a Dick Francis thriller Dead Cert, and in 1978 he was in International Velvet.
Cornishman V died in 1986.
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