Clarke was an international rider in the 1970s and 1980s and won five national titles before moving onto training, organising and judging.

He regularly judges at major competitions, and has officiated at five World Cup finals, three European Championships, three World Equestrian Games and one previous Olympic Games, at Athens in 2004. 

Clarke said: "I feel deeply honoured to have been awarded this appointment by the FEI (International Equestrain Federation).

"Of course it comes with a huge amount of responsibility which is not to be taken lightly.

"Having been a member of the judging panel in Athens, the original home of the Olympic Games, to be invited again to judge in London is indeed a dream come true.

"I was so thrilled, as we all were, when it was announced a few years back that London had won the bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012.

"To now think of being part of this event is beyond exciting!"

Clarke, who received a British Horse Society Queen's Award for Equestrianism in 2010, added: "The rest of the judging panel have not been announced yet but, without doubt, they will be selected from the best in the world.

"I look forward to working with them at this illustrious event where we will do our utmost to ensure a fair result for every rider who will be taking part in the Games."

British Dressage chief executive Amanda Bond said: "Stephen's appointment is a great honour for him individually but as a Nation, it cements Britain's current standing in the international Dressage community.

"Stephen's contribution to the sport has been monumental - from his influence in modernising the way our judges work to his continual encouragement to improve standards and fairness – he's really helped the sport progress.

"This is just reward for him personally and we are looking forward to 2 August next year when the first Dressage horse trots down the centre line in Greenwich."

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