Legend Bill Roycroft dies aged 96.

by Heath Ryan | June 1, 2011

Legend Bill Roycroft dies aged 96.

Bill Roycroft was a larger than life Crocodile Dundee. He fought for Australia in World War II, he returned home to become a dairy farmer in Western Victoria. Bill and his wife Mavis were great polocrosse players before becoming immersed in the world of three-day eventing. Bill was 45 years of age when he went to his first Olympics in Rome in 1960 where he broke his collar bone on the cross-country, re-mounted and finished the cross-country course before being rushed to hospital. Signed himself out the next day against doctors orders to ride a faultless show-jumping round and so secure an Olympic Team Gold Medal for Australia. Bill went on to compete in another 4 Olympics. All three sons Wayne, Barry and Clarke also rode for Australia at the Olympics. Bill was a brilliant story teller, had a laconic bush humour and was a natural innate horseman. Bill embraced everything that makes up an Australian legend. it was my great honour to have known him.

There is a tribute page on The Horse Magazine website with lots of really nice photos. This tribute page can be viewed by clicking here.