David Broome

David McPherson Broome CBE (born 1 March 1940) is a retired Welsh show jumping champion. He competed in the 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972 and 1988 Olympics and won individual bronze medals in 1960 and 1968 on his best-known horse Mr Softee.[1] In 1960, he was also voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and at the 1972 Games served as the Olympic flag bearer for Great Britain.[2]

David Broome

Broome c. 1974
Personal information
Born	1 March 1940 (1940-03) (age 80) Cardiff, Wales
Height	181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	76 kg (168 lb)
Sport
Sport	Equestrianism
Event(s)	Show jumping
Medal record Representing  Great Britain Olympic Games 1960 Rome Individual jumping 1968 Mexico Individual jumping World Championships 1960 Venice Individual jumping 1970 La Baule Individual jumping 1978 Aachen Team jumping 1982 Dublin Team jumping 1990 Stockholm Team jumping European Championships 1961 Aachen Individual jumping 1967 Rotterdam Individual jumping 1969 Hickstead Individual jumping 1977 Vienna Team jumping 1979 Rotterdam Team jumping 1983 Hickstead Team jumping 1991 La Baule Team jumping

Broome on Sportsman in 1975

Broome was born in Cardiff, attended Monmouth School, and still maintains his stables at Mount Ballan Manor, Crick, near Chepstow in Monmouthshire. He held the individual European title in 1961, 1967 and 1969. In 1970, he won the world title and became Western Mail Welsh Sports Personality of the year. He turned professional in 1973, and in 1978 helped the British team to win the world championship. Broome has won the King George V Gold Cup a record six times on six different horses between 1960–1991, a record yet to be equalled.[1] He has enjoyed most of his success on Irish Sport Horses and he has said his favourite horse of all was Sportsman. Broome's sister, Liz Edgar, was also a top-class showjumper.[3]

Broome is still active in the administration of the sport. In 2013, he became president of the British Showjumping Association.[4]