THE Portland Adult Riding Club was fortunate enough to get the chance to spend a day with one of Australia’s biggest names in equestrian history on Sunday, Barry Roycroft. 77-year-old Roycroft headed to Yarraman Park’s indoor centre on Sunday for a full day of lessons for members of the local riding club.

Roycroft is son of Bill Roycroft, a legendary Olympic equestrian representative (1960, 1968, 1976) and in 1986 he continued the tradition by representing Australia at the 1976 (showjumping) and 1988 (eventing) Olympics.

He entered the realm of coaching and judging at events in the mid-1980s and founded the Lakes and Craters International Horse Trials in Camperdown.

Roycroft was honoured as member of the Order of Australia in 2016 for his contribution to the sports landscape.

On Sunday, Roycroft held more than 10 private lessons at Yarraman Park, sharing insights with local horse lovers gathered after a lifetime connection to the sport.