Michael first learnt to ride as a teenager but has ridden horses proficiently for over 25 years. He is a mounted skill at arms expert and instructor. Following regular Military Service, Michael was taught military riding whilst serving with uniformed independent auxiliary units and there he was cavalry trained by King's Troop and Household Cavalry instructors, which included learning mounted skill at arms. Since leaving regular military service, Michael has as a mounted skills at arms instructor trained for Janet Rogers at Film & TV Horses in Windsor, teaching slashing with the sabre sword (Turks Head), and pegging, including the ring and a peg, using swords and lances up to competition standard. Michael has also schooled horses to perform in full skill at arms displays and competitions.

As an actor Michael has appeared as a mounted soldier in Disney film 'The Parent Trap' (directed by Nancy Meyers) staring Natasha Richardson and has also performed in 'Son et Lumiere' (starring Bill Pertwee) at Polesdene Lacy house in Sussex as a member of a small Light Cavalry Troop. He is very experienced in 1908-1912 (thrusting) sabre, light and heavy cavalry sabres as well as lance, pistol and Carbine rifle.

During his auxiliary service he performed in many uniformed equestrian competitions. Some of his achievements include:

Winner of the mixed teams prize Joint Services Show Jumping Competition hosted annually by the King’s Troop RHA at St John’s Wood Barracks in London.

Winner of the Rundle Cup millennium prize Mounted Skill at Arms Competition hosted by Tidworth Polo Club, Hampshire. England.

Winner of 3 gold medals, 6 silver medals and 1 bronze medal as a member of the British equestrian team competing in the mounted skill at arms competitions at the international Masters Tournament Games, in Pretoria, South Africa.

Winner of two second places in the individual classes mounted pegging competition in the use of sword and lance at Royal Windsor Horse Show. He competed against a field of some fifty contestants from the Household Cavalry, the King’s Troop, mounted police and other uniformed units territorial and auxiliary.

As a rider Michael has performed in many mounted displays at Equestrian and County shows including Honiton, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, The Royal Show Suffolk, Blair Atholl Castle Perth & Kinross, Frampton Park, and the Essex Horse Show – to name but a few.

Michael has designed, organized and participated in many mounted skill at arms team displays, having received yearly bookings to perform at annual Shows and special Veteran Day Shows. He has also provided commentary at several events and ridden in various public parades including five Lord Mayor Shows in the City of London.