Madeleine Gurdon
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Madeleine Astrid Gurdon |
| Nationality | British |
| Born | 30 November 1962 |
| Sport | |
| Country | Great Britain |
| Sport | Equestrian |
Madeleine Astrid Gurdon, Baroness Lloyd-Webber (born 30 November 1962) is an English horsewoman. She is married to composer and theatrical impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Early life[edit]
Madeleine "Gurtie" Gurdon was born in 1962 into a military family, one of four sisters. Her father, uncle and grandfather were all in the Black Watch, as was her mother's father.[1]
Her father, Adam Gurdon, retired as a brigadier, before his marriage serving in Korea and later in Kenya during the Mau Mau Uprising. As a married man, he took his family around the world, including Cyprus, Tanganyika, and Hong Kong.[1][2] Madeleine Gurdon was educated at a convent school.[3]
Career[edit]
Madeleine Gurdon was an equestrian competitor for nearly a decade, riding in three-day events, which require the same horse and rider pair to demonstrate skill in dressage, showjumping, and cross-country riding. In the 1980s she competed internationally, coming second at the Burghley Horse Trials in 1988.[4] To supplement her riding career, Gurdon designed an exclusive country-wear company that featured leather and suede clothing [3] called The Done Thing, after her favourite dun horse.
She began to breed and train thoroughbreds for flat racing. She owns and supervises two stud farms: Watership Down Stud near her English home in Sydmonton Court, and Kiltinan Castle stud in Ireland.[5] Dar Re Mi is one of her successful broodmares.[4]
She and her husband set up the Watership Down Polo Club; their children play polo.[6] In 2007 she allowed a group from St Bart's, a local school, to practise there, subsidising their training. The state school team went on to beat fee-paying schools such as Rugby and Cheltenham Ladies College in the Schools and Universities Polo Association Cup.[7] Gurdon then commissioned family friend Emerald Fennell to write a rom-com loosely based on this.[8]
In 2010 she became president of the Pony Club, which she has been involved with all her life.[4] According to Companies House, as of 2021 she has roles in eight companies, including as a director in her husband's Really Useful Group.[9] She is the only woman on the board of Newbury Racecourse.[10]
Personal life[edit]
Gurdon married Andrew Lloyd Webber at his Hampshire home, Sydmonton Court, on 9 February 1991. The couple met through his Watership Down neighbours, who loved horses. [11]
They have three children together: Alastair (born 1992), William (born 1993) and Isabella (born 1996). The family divides its time between properties in London and Hampshire.[12]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Brenan, Victoria (6 July 2019). "Obituary: Adam Gurdon, Black Watch officer who served in Korea and Kenya and helped steer Rhodesia towards independence". HeraldScotland. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ Jefford, Will (6 June 2019). "Tributes paid to decorated war hero and community stalwart Brigadier Adam Gurdon". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ a b Gliatto, Tom. "Andrew Lloyd Webber Leaves His Leading Lady—as His Aspect of Love Turns to a Woman Named Gurtie". People.com. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Mathieson, Amy (5 January 2010). "Lady Lloyd Webber becomes new president of the Pony Club". Horse & Hound. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Lloyd Webber rides to the rescue". The Times. 1 December 2016.
- ^ "Polo Times News - Lady Lloyd Webber takes the reins as president of the Pony Club". polotimes.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Lady Lloyd Webber helps state pupils beat toffs at polo". Reuters. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Why Emerald Fennell is the hidden gem in hit drama Any Human Heart". www.standard.co.uk. 10 April 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "Madeleine Astrid LLOYD WEBBER personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ Ltd, Indzine. "The Board". Newbury Racecourse. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
- ^ "'The Phantom of the Opera': Ghosts of a love affair - Features - Theatre & Dance - The Independent". Enjoyment.independent.co.uk. 5 January 2006. Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "Sydmonton Festival". Andrew Lloyd Webber. Archived from the original on 21 September 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
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