Dawn Hill
Since the early '70s, Bruce Davidson has been a household name, at least in those homes where American Three-Day Eventing is honored. He is an Olympian five times over, with two golds and two silvers to show for his efforts. He is a two-time World Champion, has ridden on countless international teams and was the first American to win the Badminton CCI. He was named the USCTA's leading rider from 1980 through 1995 and has been a huge influence in the development and expansion of 3-Day eventing in America.
Yet Bruce didn't start out with an equestrian "silver spoon" in his mouth. He wasn't raised in a horse loving family, but was fortunate enough to grow up in the fox hunting country near Millbrook, New York. He was, as he describes it, "an obnoxious kid who loved horses," and by pushing on enough doors enough times, was able to pursue his dream.
Currently campaigning six top level horses, Bruce also spends a lot of time at his 100-acre Chesterland Farm in Unionville, Pennsylvania. There, along with 24 year-old son and partner, Buck, a rising star in the eventing world, Bruce operates a thoroughbred sport horse breeding facility, brings along young prospects, teaches and shows advanced horsesboth his own and those of clients. Chesterland also boasts an extensive cross country course containing obstacles from Training to Advanced levels, and was the site of the USET's 1996 3-Day Olympic Short List Training Sessions. It's a good life, Bruce admits with a smile, and especially rewarding to have a son following in his footsteps.
At the recent NW Equine Expo in Albany, Bruce taught three clinics and gave two lectures. Clinic participants were exposed to the no-excuses, get-the-job-done philosophy that has made Bruce the champion he is. As with all top riders, he stresses the basicsrider position, confidence and not interfering with a horse trying to do his job. He's unequivocally on the horse's side. "Grab mane if you have to," he admonished one rider. "I even grab mane from time to timeit's better than hitting your horse in the mouth." He was also equally insistent that riders praise their horses for their good efforts. "Pat him," he commanded. "Let him know he's done well."
During lecture times, Bruce displayed a more relaxed, entertaining side, regaling audiences with horse stories, Olympic stories, and stories of Olympic-sized boo-boos during international events. He also shared his tried and true method of choosing young horses for the highest competition levels, as well as what he looks for in prospective students.
During his thirty years of competitive life, Bruce has seen a lot of changes in the sport. He lauds the improving quality of the horses and the technological advances that continue to raise the bar of competitive possibilities. Advances in nutrition, shoeing, tack, and vet care will only help, but he is decidedly not happy with what he sees in many would-be riders. "They want the rewards, but don't want to work," he says, then quotes George Morris: "It's very hard to get a true horseman anymore."
Why? Davidson attributes some of the problem to population shifts. "Kids aren't raised in the country anymore," he explains but adds that that's only part of the problem. "We're creating technicians, yes, but not horsemen. If you want to be a real horseman," he adds bluntly, "it starts in the morning." Mucking out, feeding, grooming. Working with a horse takes time and many kids today can't or don't want to spend that time.
"They're too busy," he adds. "Tennis, swimming, dance team-whatever. Kids today are always running from one thing to another, but horses take time." It's a shift that he and many top riders of earlier generations see with regret, wondering what the long-term effect will be on the sport and horses in general.
But Bruce doesn't spend a lot of time mulling over regrets. With son Buck at his side, and such horses as Eagle Lion, Apparition and BallyMist to campaign, the next stop is Rolex, with Athens 2004 looming on the horizon. Buck has an excellent chance of making the team, and Dad isn't sitting on the sidelines yet, either. With hard work, good horses and good luck, Bruce Davidson hopes to be part of a sixth Olympic team.