Happy Birthday wishes to Harvey Smith, 74 years today!
Harvey Smith on Salvador – Arena North Lancashire
We wish a Happy Birthday to Harvey Smith, 73 years today!
Harvey Smith on Sanyo Sanmar
Harvey Smith (* December 29, 1938) from Yorkshire is a legend in British and World show jumping. He stood out from the ranks of show jumpers because of his broad accent and blunt manner. He became favourite among the audience and he widened the popularity of show jumping in England. His career was often controversial and he could be a nightmare for the judges. In Hickstead1971 he was disqualified, which was overturned on appeal, after he gave a “V sign” to the judges following a perfect round on Mattie Brown which won him the British Show Jumping Derby for the second year in succession. Harvey took four victories in the Hickstead Derby; in 1970 and 1971 on Mattie Brown, in 1974 on Salvador and in 1981 on Sanyo Video.
Harvey was a self-learned rider and he seldom had horses with extraordinary jumping capabilities, but he was a true master in managing to bring out something extra from rather mediocre horses. He competed at two Olympic Games; in Mexico City 1968 and in Munich in 1972, where he finished fourth in the individual competition. He had better luck in the European Championships. He participated five times and on all five occasions he brought home a medal. He retired from show jumping in 1990.
Here’s Harvey Smith in Paris 1983.
Harvey Smith on Sanyo Technology in Paris 1983
Harvey Smith on Sanyo Technology in Paris 1983
Happy Birthday to Pete Robeson, 82 years today!
In this vintage video clip we see Pete Robeson winning the King George V Gold Cup at the Royal International Horse Show at White City in London 1967.
Pete Robeson was a member of the British show jumping team for many years. In Stockholm 1956 he won his first Olympic medal, bronze on Scorchin in the team competition. Eight years later he won individual bronze on Firecrest at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games. He did his last Olympics in Montreal 1976, where he was 7th with the team and 14th individual on Law Court.
A fantastic battle between two British legends, Harvey Smith and David Broome, in the jump-off of the John Player Trophy at the Horse of the Year Show in London 1980. This is a piece of show jumping history at it’s very best. What riders and horses, what atmosphere, speaker and BBC commentator! Can it ever be better than this? Enjoy!
Harvey Smith on Graf in the Puissance at the Horse of the Year Show back in 1977. He had to share the victory with Graham Fletcher after the 3rd jump-off. Harvey wanted the wall higher but the judges didn’t allow a 4th jump-off. A decision that made Harvey really furious. He jumps off the horse and runs up the stairs to tell the judges a few words. A great show!
Harvey Smith on O’Malley, Pete Robeson on Firecrest, George Hobbs on Brandy Soda and Alan Oliver on Galway Bay at the Ascot Jumping Show in 1964, qualification for the Tokyo Olympics.
Harvey Smith and his sons Steven and Robert. Photo from the 198o’s.
From left: Steven Smith, Harvey Smith, Robert Smith
A piece of history from Hickstead – the magic British team with David Broome on Heatwave, Harvey Smith on Salvador, Paddy McMahon on Pennwood Forge Mill and Graham Fletcher on Tauna Dora. Those were really the days!
David Broome, Harvey Smith, Paddy McMahon and Graham Fletcher - Hickstead 1975
