Colonel Sir Michael Picton Ansell, CBE, DSO (26 March 1905 – 17 February 1994) was a soldier, showjumper, polo player, and horse show administrator.

[1] His father Lt Col George Ansell was killed in September 1914, during the First World War, leading the 5th Dragoon Guards in a cavalry charge against German positions, for which he was subsequently mentioned in dispatches.

He served throughout the 1930s a cavalry officer, show jumping rider,[1] and international polo player.

[1] He was appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1944, but was shortly afterwards wounded in the hand and eyes by "friendly fire", blinding him permanently, and then became a prisoner of war (POW).

[5] An invitation to take up the position of chairman of the British Showjumping Association led to him being credited with revitalising the sport.