Fun Facts: The Legendary Bruce Davidson
Bruce Davidson is one of the most iconic eventers of this time. He has his own statue at the Kentucky Horse Park, after all. Take a stroll down memory lane with Heels Down as we explore the legendary milestones of Bruce’s career, and how he changed the face of eventing forever.
The Story Behind The Legend
Bruce Davidson was the first American to ever win the World Eventing Championships at Burghley in England in 1974. Because of his historic win, the U.S. hosted the 1978 World Equestrian Games, which took place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. Bruce defended his title and became the only event rider to ever win back-to-back championships.
“Making it to the (then) four-star level is the beginning of understanding the sport and what we’re doing,” Bruce said. “Any advice I have is just to persevere and enjoy. It’s a sport, and it’s a way of life. And if you can enjoy that, and the Monday after, then chances are you will be successful in time.”
In between the championship events, Bruce would take home a team gold medal for America at the 1976 Olympic Games, and then again in 1984. He also earned two silver team medals in 1972 and 1996.
Memories Of A Champion
When asked about his fondest memories of competing in Kentucky and abroad, Bruce said: “I probably haven’t had my fondest memory yet.”
“The love of horses and life with horses is what I’m about,” he continued. “I enjoy every aspect of life with them: the breeding of them, the foaling of them, the raising of them, the riding and training of them. Learning to ride and to compete are two different things.Once you know how ride, then you are inclined to compete. This is just another sport. It doesn’t mean that everyone who competes is a natural and a great rider and it doesn’t mean that those who don’t compete aren’t good riders. There’s room for everybody.”
Horse Shows With Kids In Tow
Some of Bruce’s most vivid memories aren’t about the blue-ribbon wins and grueling cross-country courses.
“When I came down (to Kentucky) in ‘78 with Might Tango, I had a little boy, he was just two years old. (Bruce’s son is Bruce “Buck” Davidson, who followed his father’s footsteps and is also a four-star event rider) We got a pony just 8 hands tall named Bucket. He rode in the backseat of a Volkswagen to get over here. And he was gift to my son and to us after Tango won. Both of my children learned to ride on him. There are lots of memories besides just the jumps and the horses.”
The Winningest Rider: “Mr. Rolex”
Bruce won team and individual silver at the Pan American Games in 1975, and would return to represent the U.S. a second time. At the 1995 Pan Am Games, he won individual gold and team silver. The same year, he rode Eagle Lion (the horse engraved in the statue at the Kentucky Horse Park) at the Badminton CCI4* to first place, becoming the first American to ever win the event. Bruce was the highest-placed rider in the world FEI rankings in 1993 and 1995. He was the USEA leading rider every year from 1980 to 1995.
He also won the Rolex trophy at the Kentucky Three-Day Event six times between 1978 to 1993. No one wonder he’s got is own statue.
But still, Bruce is pretty humble. And maybe a touch superstitious.
“To come to Rolex each year and to see the names of great horses on the plaques mounted on each stall makes it fun for me,” he told the USEA in 2010. “It is a good omen to have our horses going into the stall of a great horse.”
The Evolution Of The Kentucky Horse Park
Bruce described the Kentucky Horse Park back in the 70s as being pretty “country”. Today, he describes the evolving park as “Hollywood”.
“The whole atmosphere at Rolex is so unique, as it is the only event this country with such a big crowd. It is truly a destination vacation for many people with all the shopping and vendors in addition to the actual event. In England, horsesports have always been a lifestyle and eventing a big spectator sport with sponsorships who bring the crowds to the table,“ Bruce explained.
But Kentucky has also become an important event for the American team, Bruce stressed, ahead of an Olympic year. It’s where selectors are able to weed out the “inconsistent performers” and the cream of the crop can rise to the top, he said.