The South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA) is the regional film archive for the South West of England. Established in 1993, SWFTA's core collection comprises of the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and TSW (Television South West). The archive also cares for a significant number of donated film collections, both amateur and professional, dating back to the early 1900s.
This film is part of Free
Olympian Equestrian Eventer and Trainer Bertie Hill
Bertie Hill demonstrates his equestrian skills and shows his horses at Rapscott on Exmoor
From the collection of:
Overview
A West Country farmer and equestrian eventer, Bertie Hill on Countryman III helped Great Britain to a team gold in Stockholm in 1956, placing twelfth in the individual competition. The 1956 Summer Olympics were held in Melbourne Australia except for the equestrian events which were moved to Sweden because of Australia's strict quarantine laws. Hill started his Olympic career at Helsinki in 1952 when he placed seventh in the individual three-day event.
Hill competed at the Rome Olympics in 1960 and with his wife Mary opened Rapscott School of Equitation on Exmoor where they trained international riders including Captain Mark Phillips and Princess Anne. In 1967 Hill was appointed as the first official trainer of the British Eventing Team taking them to success at the Mexico Olympics in 1968 where they won team gold and Derek Allhusen on Lochinver won an individual eventing silver. Equestrianism was introduced in 1900 at the Summer Olympics in France and the first events were open to military officers. Three-day eventing or dressage, eventing and showjumping came back in 1912 and has featured since. Women were admitted in 1952 and compete on equal terms.
Related
Flashing Blades Flashing Blades
Sport 1948 9 mins Silent
Tricky weather conditions cause some spills in the downhill and ski jumping at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St Moritz.
The Wheelchair Olympians The Wheelchair Olympians
Documentary 1983 25 mins Location: Cleckheaton
With the Paralympics even more marginalised than today, these athletes show great determination, dedication, camaraderie and humility.
Mining Review 22nd Year No. 1 Mining Review 22nd Year No. 1
1968 3 mins
We're off! Olympic training on the streets of Mansfield as local boy John Whetton prepares for the 1968 Mexico City games.
Women's Olympiad Women's Olympiad
Non-Fiction 1924 3 mins Location: Fulham
British "girl athletes" prove themselves in competition with women from around the world at Stamford Bridge.
Diving and Swimming Diving and Swimming
1926 14 mins Silent
Special effects galore in this demonstration of fancy swimming and diving, featuring Olympic medallist Belle White.
Olga Olga
Sport 1973 54 mins
A rare insight into gymnast Olga Korbut's life at the height of her fame, showing the discipline it takes to be an Olympic champion.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.