Bruce Davidson is one of Chester County’s most accomplished international equestrian competitors. His career began in 1971 when he joined the United States Equestrian Team.

He was a member of the team that won gold medals in the 1976 and 1984 Olympics, and Olympic silver in the 1972 and 1996 team competition. In 1974, at Burghley, England, Davidson became the first American rider to win the World Championships, thus enabling the United States to host the 1978 World Championships in Lexington, Kentucky. He successfully defended his title at Lexington and became the first rider ever to win back-to-back World Championships.

Bruce also represented the United States at several Pan American games. In 1975 he won the silver medal for individual and team competition, and in 1995 won gold for individual, and silver for team.

Davidson has also competed at the prestigious Badminton CC14 on seven occasions and in 1995 became the first American to win the event. In addition, he has added several wins at the Rolex Kentucky three-day event to his formidable eventing record. His riding successes earned him the distinction of being named the highest ranked rider in world FEI rankings in 1993 and 1995. Bruce was also named the United States Equestrian Association leading rider every year from 1980 to 1995, an unprecedented achievement. In 2009 Davidson was inducted into the Eventing Hall of Fame at the United States Eventing Association Conference in Reston, Virginia.

Bruce has lived in Unionville, Pennsylvania since the 1970s and continues to breed and train eventing horses at his Chesterland Farm. His son Buck Davidson has followed in his father’s foot-steps and is currently one of the leading event riders in the world.