About Harvey Smith (equestrian)
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; 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. == Early life == Harvey John Smith was born on 29 December 1938 in Gilstead, England, to Walter and Ethel Smith who wanted him to "continue the family tradition and work in the construction industry with his older brother John". He rode his first pony at seven, and competed in his first show in 1947 at 8 years old on a local farmer's milk pony. He was not fond of school and preferred to spend his time outdoors with animals, and bought his first jumping horse Farmer's Boy in 1954. == Show jumping career == Smith competed in two Olympics. At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, he rode Madison Time to 11th place in the Individual jumping and 8th place for Great Britain in the Team jumping. He rode Summertime to 4th place for Great Britain in the Team jumping competition at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.. Harvey will always be remembered for the immense contribution he made to the sport, not only as the ultimate showman, but as an Olympian who represented his country with fierce patriotism and whose desire never to be beaten drove him to win more than 50 grands prix, four Hickstead Derby titles, six championship medals and a swathe of prestigious trophies.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.