Interview with Michael Pearson, the fourth Viscount Cowdray Feature
Clockwise from top left: Michael in the gardens at Cowdray House, with Midhurst in the distance; with his father; by the pool – a 21st birthday present to the third Viscount from his sisters; with his wife Marina at the 2010 Argentine Ambassador’s Cup; with Marina and children (l-r) Catrina, Eliza, Monty, Perry and Emily
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greatest buddies was Peter Dollar, a brilliant and jovial character. For us children it was always fun to have him here.” Michael’s cousin Jeryl and her husband Charlie Smith-Ryland would also come. Jeryl was the daughter of Yoskyl, John’s oldest sister [John had two older sisters, two younger ones and a twin], who was named after her father’s best polo pony – which was named after a Himalayan mountain. “Jeryl had a tragic time, although you'd never have known, as she was so enthusiastic and fun: her first husband was killed in the war, her second was killed playing polo: he felt his pony wobble, got off and leant against it to keep it upright and it collapsed on him. Her third died of cancer, and her son was killed in a school fire.” Michael’s sisters were keen on horses but – unlike his aunts – they never played polo. Teresa has become an eventing owner – her horse Cool Mountain won America’s equivalent of Badminton this April with leading British rider William Fox-Pitt. Jane was also an owner – but recently her husband, “Nappy”, started eventing and took over the rides.
the City,” he says. He set up a film company, Cupid Productions (named after various initials of those involved rather than indicating saucy material). Their first film, Sympathy for the Devil (1968), with French new wave director Jean-Luc Godard in the chair, enjoyed success. “We were a fledgling company and to work with Godard was a brilliant opportunity,” recalls Michael. “Half of it was shooting the Rolling Stones in the studio; we had no screenplay and Godard would tell the actors their lines the day before. Half-way through filming, when the Sorbonne Riots took place, he upped sticks to Paris and finished the film later. Because it was Godard and the Stones it made money.”
A Also a success was Classic American road
movie Vanishing Point (1971). Their next were less so: a horror movie, a film about the end of World War Two then a documentary about a Carmargue gypsy festival. Realising he’d
fter school Michael spent two years in the army and a year at Lazards – “long enough to know I didn't want to work in
Four things you didn’t know about the present Lord Cowdray
• His nickname is Gunner – from army days – which is why his car reg starts with GUN.
• He’s not a Buddhist. “I have a great affinity with Buddhism and believe in it as a lifestyle, though not as a religion,” he says.
• He once won £32,000 playing backgammon, beating Lord Lucan in the first round and Jimmy Goldsmith in the final.
• It’s probably his ancestors’ political leanings that led to the estate’s yellow window-frames. “It's not documented but I believe it's because my grandfather and great-grandfather were Liberal MPs, and yellow is the party colour,” he explains.
have to move to California to continue in film, Michael got out.
Though press cuttings relating to Michael’s twenties depict a yacht-bound playboy, his own favourite hobby has been wheel- rather than water- or hoof-based. The former stables at Cowdray House are home to his car collection, which includes a 1961 E-type Jaguar built for racing. Among his other favourite vehicles is a Ferrari 275 GTB 6C.
“When I was younger I had friends who were motor racing, including Rollo (Earl of) Denbigh, a prep school friend whose father later sponsored a
whose best race results were overall second and a class win. “Unlike the Ferraris of the period it was not highly developed, so you can improve it, within the regulations, such as making tweaks to the suspension and engine – and this makes it more fun. We're fortunate to have Goodwood on our doorstep – Charles and Janet (Lord and Lady March) are friends – and a mechanic who works there comes here at weekends.”
Michael gave up his licence this year after Italy and Spain were called off, but will continue non-competitive rallies. He also enjoys wood- carving; among his creations is a model of Cowdray House.
Michael has been married twice – and met both wives in Ibiza, an island he first visited in 1971 and where the family continues to holiday. His marriage in 1977 to Fritzi (née Erhardt, from Germany) lasted six years, then in 1987 he married Marina (née Cordle). The couple has five children, aged 13 to 22 – the eldest of whom, Eliza, last year married Richard Branson’s entertainingly named nephew Ned RockNRoll. Michael also has a 40-year-old son, Sebastian, from an 18-month relationship with model Barbara Ray; Sebastian and his wife Amanda and their two daughters have a house on the estate. Michael and Marina’s girls – Eliza, Emily and Catrina – all rode as children. “None showed great keenness when they came to an age when
“We had no screenplay and half-way through filming, Jean-Luc Godard upped sticks for the Sorbonne Riots”
Formula 3 team with Rollo driving.” After several non-competitive tours across France, Michael got his race licence in 1996, though he soon realised racing wasn't conducive to family life. “UK races took up 12 weekends a year, so I decided instead to do re-runs of historic touring events. They take place over five days, occupying one weekend only: I’d do the Tour Auto in France and its equivalents in Italy and Spain.” The tours include timed sections on closed roads or circuits, and entries must be cars or “sister cars” that participated in the Tour Automobile de France between 1951 and 1973. “The E-type is a wonderful car,” says Michael,
they might play polo,” says Michael.” However, Emily, who celebrates her 21st this year, is now “mad keen”. “She's doing chukkas with Sticky Glue on the House Ground and playing at Trippetts,” says Michael. “Perry [15], Michael’s elder son, has shown interest and has friends who play.” Since inheriting the estate in 1995 Michael has put his firm imprint on its direction. Almost all the agriculture has gone organic, and investment in leisure has increased. Michael explains what was behind these moves. “When it was mooted that the South Downs were likely to become a national park, at first we thought, ‘Oh no, another layer of
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www.polotimes.co.uk July 2010 59
Photographs by Vanessa Taylor, Yolanda Carslaw and courtesy of the Pearson family
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