17 August 2012 Last updated at 14:37 ET

Sark welcomes Olympians Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin

Hester learnt to ride on the pathways and in the fields of Sark

Gold medallists Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin have arrived in Sark after their success at the Olympics.

Hester, who was born in the island, now lives and trains in Gloucestershire.

A vin d'honneur is being held in their honour and Hester is due to officially open the island's annual horse, dog and pet show.

Hester is only the second Channel Islanders to have ever won a medal, the other was Percy Hodge in the 3,000m steeplechase in 1920.

The GB dressage team of Hester, Dujardin and Laura Bechtolsheimer won gold.

Sark's only postbox, which is managed by Guernsey Post rather than Royal Mail, was painted gold to mark Hester's medal.

His protege Dujardin, who also won the individual gold, has her own gold postbox in Church Street, in Newent, her Gloucestershire home town.

Hester said of returning to Sark: "They are so friendly these islands and so special.

"This is where I learnt to ride... we used to gallop along these cliff paths with a head collar and a rope, no hats, no saddles, no bandages, no boots, no modern trimmings.

"Just a really amazing way to be brought up."