Career
Becher first served in the military during the Napoleonic Wars and was stationed in Belgium at the time of the Battle of Waterloo, though historical claims that he saw active service in the battle are thought to be without foundation. Upon being released from service, Becher took a commission as a Captain in the Buckinghamshire Yeomanry, but the few demands placed upon him within this role allowed him a great deal of time to pursue his passion of cross-country riding. Becher was a regular visitor to Liverpool and Lynn"s racecourse at Aintree, famously winning there with the horse with which the public most readily associated him, Vivian.
On one occasion the pair discussed a "Great Chase of the North" with the result that Lynn staged the Grand Liverpool Steeplechase in 1836.
The event would go on to become known as the Grand National, although Becher"s victory in 1836 was disregarded by future generations as merely a precursor to the first official running in 1839. Becher was already considering retirement from race riding at the age of forty before lining up for this event on Conrad, and setting off at the head of the field
Upon reaching the first major obstacle on the course, the first of two brooks, Conrad dug his heels in, hurling Becher over his head and into the brook beyond. Becher lay in the water until his rivals had all thundered over the brook, before climbing out thoroughly soaked and cursing how he hadn"t realised how filthy water tasted without the benefits of whisky.
He remounted and set off in pursuit, only to be parted from his mount again at the second brook.
Becher never again took part in the event but his name was given to the first brook (the sixth and twenty-second fence in the modern National) and has ensured his eternal fame.
