The Man behind the Mike: Mike Tucker: The Voice of Equestrianism

Mike Tucker was born into a life of farming and horses. His passion and hard work enabled him to progress from international groom to successful international event rider, top level Eventing official and television commentator. The pinnacle of Mike's career as a commentator was covering Nick Skelton's Gold Medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 for the BBC. In `The Man Behind the Mike' we learn about Mike's family history and the connection with the Badminton Estate where his grandfather farmed; The Beaufort Pony Club, a huge influence in his life with many top level riders being members; a visit to Australia, staying with the Roycroft family, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his efforts to become a successful event rider; and about Mike's second place at Badminton, which laid the foundations of his credibility as a rider and commentator. The `voice behind the microphone' had the experience and knowledge to commentate with authority and to command respect from the listening public at venues of not just horse trials but also show jumping, dressage, and shows in general. The wealth of experience and lifetime involvement in the world of equestrian sport has enabled him to travel all over the world meeting many different people and sharing his expertise. We are told many funny, revealing, fascinating and sometimes sad anecdotes of his experiences of the successes and failures along the way and we are given a true insight into the real stories behind the headlines, and `The Man Behind the Mike'.

Table of Contents:
Revisiting the Pinnacle To Be a Farmer's Boy Schooldays and Pony Club Eventing Begins in Earnest Antipodean Invasion The Mexico Olympics Return from Mexico New Life Together Dalwhinnie and Bugle Commentating – Mike on the Mike Official Roles Field Master and Steward Farming and Family Life

About the Author :
Jane Wallace was born in Cambridge and started riding at an early age. She was soon spotted as showing talent and rode many of the top show ponies of the 1960s, winning at all the major shows including the Horse of the Year Show and Dublin Show. In 1989 Jane won the Individual Silver Medal at the European Championships at Burghley and was ranked 3rd lady rider in the world. Jane was a highly regarded hunter judge, judging at the major shows including The Horse of the Year Show. She taught and gave lectures/demonstrations in England and abroad. She continues to run a busy livery yard and still teaches. Jane has written several books, The Less Than Perfect Horse, Jumping is Jumping, Teaching Children to Ride and seven Threshold Picture Guides.

Review :
Jane Wallace’s book began as a collaboration but she was forced to finish without its main character after his untimely death. But Wallace has succeeded in creating both a biography and a tribute to Tucker, marshalling both Mike’s words and those of his friends and colleagues. A fitting tribute. 'The Man Behind the Mike' is a wonderful tribute to Mike Tucker, giving us fascinating insight to his life in horses from those who knew him best. A mix of autobiographical quotes and those from friends an colleagues, it interweaves into a rich tapestry so fitting for a man whose voice and personality was known and loved throughout equestrianism. The text is a delightful portrait of a man who lived an extraordinary and very full life. This is a skilled portrayal, making the reader feel they know the man and yet are left feeling disappointed they never had the opportunity to get to know him in person. Jane Wallace’s biography of commentator and all-round countryman Mike Tucker is yet another great read from Quiller. It is a book that will no doubt get reread time after time, and each time I will no doubt learn a little more. Buy this book you will enjoy it. What a thoroughly enjoyable read, it is entertaining, enlightening, educational, hilarious and, at the same time, successfully maintains his privacy. Mike would have loved this book... Reading it was a rollercoaster of emotions but it is so uplifting and a perfect all-round tribute to someone I feel very privileged to have known. Jane Wallace has done a heroic job in completing this book and has thoroughly done justice to a quite irreplaceable man of great passion, kindness and, above all, humour. A fantastic book which gives a tremendous insight of the late Mike Tucker. The Man Behind the Mike should be on everyone's read list – a superb tribute to someone who gave so much to the sport.