Stroller & Marion Coakes going clear in the 1st round of the 1968 Olympic Games Individual Final

 Stroller was 16 years old when he won the 1968 Olympic Silver medal (born 1952) - 1986)

 Marion only took Stroller out "Hunting" once as he most have went crazy or should I say "Hyper (Full of Life - Spirit ) ballooning the hedges she says in the book.

Stroller and Marion Coakes jumping the 5 metre Olympic Games water

Irish bred Stroller & Marion Coakes - Stroller came to England from Ireland as a job Lot. I believe Stroller was by thoroughbred stallion who had "mór (great) blood ( Champion Sire "Flat" blood) maybe even could have had Dark Ronald blood and I believe the Irish bred Stroller  "threw" to that Great Blood in his sires side for his Atheltic ability. Strollers dam (mother - mutter) was probaldy a Connemara mare and she could have given Stroller his "carefulness" like some "Great Dams" do in International show jumping. Stroller stood only 14.2 hh or 148 cm
To me Stroller was the "Greatest Show Jumper Ever Born" that jumped a fence because of: 1. his small size to take on big, big horses more powerful than him and beat them many times and 2. To Win the 1968 Olympic Individual Silver Medal over probadly the biggest Olympic track ever built, only 4 faults (1 fence) behind The Gold Medalist "Snowbound" a full thoroughbred ex-racehorse. Plus: At the Mexico Games at "altitude"too!! Stroller had a decayed split tooth that the pus ossed out through his nose. Stroller Simply The Greatest !!

Irish bred Stroller & Marion jumping one (8 in total) of the Massive "Puissance type fences built in the 2nd round of the 1968 Olympic Individual Final. Imagine a Pony taking on this jump!! Stroller cleared 6 of the 8 Massive fences including a 5 metre water!

Stroller (age 19 ) & Marion in 1971 at the Horse of the Year Show

Stroller (an Irish Pony !) bravely took on this Massive fence in the 1968 Olympic Games and nearly cleared it (he had the back bar down) only two horses at the Games cleared it. The gold medal winner Snowbound did not clear it but was his only fault. This course was the second part of the indivdual with eight fences over a Puissance type track.

Stroller & Marion at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

Stroller an Irish bred pony standing 14.1 1/2 hh (146 cm) born in 1952 lived till 1986 (34). The only pony to jump an Olympic show jumping track (one of the biggest Olympic tracks ever built). He and Marian Coakes won individual silver medal in 1968 in Mexico, only one fence, 4 faults off the gold medal. (seen here jumping at Hickstead)