David McPherson Broome is a show jumping legend who delighted British fans when he won multiple competitions, including two Olympic medals, over a career spanning three decades. He's still the only male rider to have won the British National Championship a record six times!

His tally of trophies also includes six victories in the King George V Gold Cup, two individual gold medals and one team gold in the Men's European Championship, and five medals in the World Championships in both the team and individual events.

Broome was born in Cardiff, Wales, in March 1940. His show jumping aspirations were always supported by his father, Fred, who was instrumental in his early career. By the time he was 19, Broome was already the top earner in British show jumping.

© Verhoeff, Bert / Anefo / CC0 1.0

 

"Fascination" with horses

When writing the foreword in the 1998 book, Encyclopaedia of the Horse, Broome said that being able to ride had "saved him from having to do any other kind of job", describing horses as his "lifelong fascination".

He has been riding since he was a toddler and has his father to thank for this. Fred, a greengrocer by trade, used to train Welsh mountain ponies and his young son was his jockey. When he was five, the youngster was bucked off several times and decided riding wasn't for him, but 18 months later, he changed his mind, as he couldn't keep away from the horses. He has never stopped riding since and still participates for pleasure today.

At the age of nine, Broome received his first press coverage for riding - but not the kind of publicity he wished to read! Taking part in Henllys Show in Newport, Wales, he took a tumble from his horse, Ballanlad. To his dismay, a photo of the incident featured in the local newspapers!

His dad gave him the useful advice: never get mad with your horse - something he has always lived by. Whenever he has felt it isn't working out with a horse, he has also recalled his dad's advice not to give up and to stick it out for another five minutes, as you may experience a breakthrough.

As a horse is obviously much stronger than the rider, Broome believes you need to get inside the horse's head and know how he thinks. He says riders should remember the horse has a brain, so work with him to build a good relationship and a bond that will enable you to achieve greatness together as a team.

 

Olympic success

In 1960, Broome competed in his first Olympic Games, winning the individual bronze medal with one of his most famous horses, Sunsalve, at the Rome Olympics. The same year, they also won the King George V Gold Cup at the Royal International Horse Show and the show jumping Grand Prix, held in Dublin. Broome also enjoyed one of the most iconic moments of his career, after he was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year by the British public.

When the trophy was presented in the BBC studios, he didn't know there was a special surprise awaiting him. His family had liaised with the production team to arrange to have Sunsalve in the studio! The special horse was led out on to the stage to join the celebration and to receive the accolade he richly deserved. Broome was visibly thrilled and mounted his Olympic horse. They rode offstage together to loud applause from the delighted audience.

In 1968, Broome won his second Olympic bronze medal, riding Mister Softee at Mexico City. Mister Softee was another famous horse ridden by Broome for many years. He is described as one of the greatest show jumping horses of all time. He was owned by the Massarella family, from Doncaster.

 

Mister Softee

As well as the Olympic medal in 1968, some of Broome's greatest achievements happened on Mister Softee. In the European Championships, Broome and Mister Softee won the individual gold medal in 1967 at Rotterdam and the individual gold again in 1969 at Hickstead.

The duo won the 1966 King George V Gold Cup and the International Grand Prix two years running, in 1967 and 1968.

Broome was only 16 when he began riding one of his favourite horses of all time, Mr Softee. Initially, he would ride him at the Massarella family's yard. He described riding Mr Softee as one of his "greatest memories" and said he was proud to have been associated with this "great horse", who will go down in history.

His other famous horses included Philco, with whom he won the team gold medal at the World Championships in 1978 in Aachen, the team silver at the 1977 European Championships in Vienna, the 1977 King George V Gold Cup and the International Grand Prix at the Olympia in London three times in 1975, 1980 and 1981.

 

Later career

Broome carried on competing in international show jumping championships until 1991, when he was 51 years old. He was still enjoying success after more than 30 years as a leading rider.

In 1990, he won the bronze medal at the World Championships in Stockholm, riding Lannegan. Broome and Lannegan became a highly successful partnership in the early 1990s.

In 1991, Broome enjoyed his sixth victory in the King George V Gold Cup. The duo was also part of the silver medal-winning team at the European championships held in La Baule.

Receiving an OBE in 1970 and a CBE in 1995 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, Broome has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to show jumping. Now aged 79, he still runs his stables at Mount Ballan Manor, in Crick, Monmouthshire and remains active in sports administration – he has held the post of president of the British Show jumping Association since 2013.

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