William Marshal Cleland (June 14, 1912 – November 5, 1958) was aCanadian equestrian champion.
Cleland was born inHamilton, Ontario into a horse-riding family. His grandfather and father—a successful distillery executive and horse breeder—were both named William, so he was known by his middle name, which he was given in honour of Hamilton's Billy Marshall, a long-distance runner. Cleland got his first horse at the age of seven. He attendedHillcrest School in Hamilton andTrinity College School inPort Hope, Ontario where he was a sprinter and football player.
In 1937, at the age of 25, and while serving as a lieutenant in theGovernor General of Canada's guard, Cleland and the Canadian Army equestrian team won 10 international championships, including four at the New York horse show atMadison Square Garden, three at the Chicago horse show, and three at theRoyal Winter Fair in Toronto.[1] That earned him theLou Marsh Trophy as Canada's top athlete of 1937.
Other career highlights
1925C.N.E Exhibition Horse Show – 1st place in Middleweight Class
1929C.N.E Exhibition Horse Show – 2nd place Open Jumpers Class
1930Royal Agricultural Winter Fair – 2nd place Middle Weight class
1931International Military Jumping Competition – 1st place
1932Royal Agricultural Winter Fair – 1st place Military Class
1933Royal Agricultural Winter Fair – 1st place Military Class
Cleland married Charlotte Mary Law in 1939. They had four sons: William (1944), Donald (1947), Bruce (1949) and Peter (1957). He served in the Canadian military during the Second World War and later worked at a stock brokerage in Toronto. Cleland died in Oakville in 1958 at age 46.[2]
.svg)  | This biographical article related to Canadianequestrianism is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |