Harvey Smith (equestrian)

Harvey Smith
Harvey Smith (1974)
Personal information
Born (1938-12-29) 29 December 1938 (age 85)
Gilstead, West Yorkshire, England
Home townBingley, England
Sport
SportEquestrianism
EventShow jumping
Medal record
Representing  Great Britain
Equestrian
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1970 La Baule Individual show jumping
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1963 Rome Individual show jumping
Silver medal – second place 1967 Rotterdam Individual show jumping
Silver medal – second place 1971 Aachen Individual show jumping
Silver medal – second place 1977 Vienna Team show jumping
Silver medal – second place 1983 Hickstead Team show jumping

Harvey John Smith (born 29 December 1938) is a retired British show jumping champion. He stood out from the ranks of showjumpers because of his broad accent and blunt manner. His career was often controversial: in 1971 he was disciplined (overturned on appeal) after he gave a "V sign" to the judges following a near-perfect round which won him the British Show Jumping Derby for the second year in succession;[1] this act also earned him a 'tongue-in-cheek' part in an advertisement for Victory V sweets with the slogan 'They've got a kick like a mule!' The expression "Doing a Harvey Smith" entered the English language for giving a V sign.[2]

  1. ^ Lemon, Laura (23 June 2022). "Throwback Thursday: The Year Of The Harvey Smith Salute". The Chronicle of the Horse. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  2. ^ Smith, Harvey (14 August 2009). "15 August 1971: Harvey Smith's V-sign". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 November 2022.