Thomas Gayford

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Thomas Franklin Gayford (born November 21, 1928) is a Canadian retired equestrian. He was educated at the University of Toronto Schools.[1] He competed at the 1952 and 1960 Olympics in the individual and team three-day events, but failed to finish. At the 1968 Olympics he won a gold medal in show jumping with the Canadian team.

Thomas Gayford
Gayford in 1964
Personal information
Born (1928-11-21) November 21, 1928 (age 96)
Toronto, Canada
Height172 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Weight70 kg (154 lb)
Sport
SportEquestrian
Event(s)Show jumping, 3-day event
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1968 Mexico City Team jumping
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1959 Chicago Team eventing
Gold medal – first place 1971 Cali Team jumping
Bronze medal – third place 1967 Winnipeg Team jumping
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1970 La Baule Team jumping

Gayford is the son of Gordon Gayford, who competed internationally in horse riding. He was a member of the Canadian Equestrian Team for show jumping from the late 1940s through the early 1970s, winning team gold medals at the 1968 Olympics, 1970 World Championships and 1971 Pan American Games, and placing third at the 1967 Pan American Games. He also won a team gold medal in the three-day event at the 1959 Pan American Games. Individually he won the New York International Horse Show three times.

Gayford retired before the 1972 Olympics to become an equestrian coach, judge, and course designer. He designed the jumping course at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, and headed the Canadian national jumping team from 1978 through 1996. He was inducted into the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1968 and to the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1971.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ Zena Cherry, "School marks 75th year of teaching excellence," Globe and Mail, Oct. 17, 1985, A25.
  2. ^ "Thomas Gayford". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
  3. ^ Tom Gayford. sports-reference.com
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