David Broome: a show jumping legend in his own lifetime

David Broome is a show jumping legend and a national treasure. He was at the top of the sport for over 30 years. Born on the first of March 1940, David Broome‘s father Fred was instrumental in David’s early career, as he became the leading money winner in British show jumping at just 19 years of age.

To date, David remains the only rider to have won the Men’s Individual Championship three times, the King George V Gold Cup six times and the British National Championship six times. For his outstanding contribution to the sport, David received an OBE in 1970, and a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday List in 1995.

David continues to be a prominent figure in the sport of show jumping. He was chairman of the British Show Jumping Association from 1996-1997, and he remains a member of the BSJA Executive Board and Chairman of the Performance Development/International committee.

David rode numerous good horses during his career, including the popular chestnut gelding Mister Softee. Their achievements included winning three European Championships, the King George V Cup in 1966 and a bronze medal at the Mexico Olympic Games in 1968.

Major achievements

Olympic Games

• 1960 – Rome – individual bronze (Sunsalve)
• 1968 – Mexico – individual bronze (Mister Softee)
• 1972 – Munich (Manhattan)
• 1988 – Seoul (Countryman)

British National Championship

• Six times winner (1961, 62, 67, 73, 79 & 86)

Men’s European Championship

• 1961 – Aachen – Team gold (Sunsalve)
• 1967 – Rotterdam – Individual gold (Mister Softee)
• 1969 – Hickstead – Individual gold (Mister Softee)

King George V Gold Cup

• Six-time winner between 1960 & 1991 – riding six different horses

World Championships

• 1970 – La Baule – Gold (Beethoven)
• 1978 – Aachen – Gold (Philco)
• 1982 – Dublin – Bronze (Mr Ross)
• 1990 – Stockholm – Bronze (Lannegan)

BBC Sports Personality of the Year

• 1960