5 of the Most Impressive Equestrian Olympians in the World
For many horse lovers, equestrian competitions are an ideal way to build a bond with your horse, as well as feed your need for an adrenaline rush by performing. Whether you’re a fan or an expert rider, it’s easy to feel inspired by the sport of professional equestrianism. Here is more information about a few of the most impressive Olympic equestrians to help you feel even more inspired by the sport.
1. Isabell Werth
Isabel Werth was born in Sevelen, Germany. Since the age of 17, Werth admits to being intrigued by the world of horses. She studied under the wing of Dr. Uwe Schulten-Baumer a well-known owner and trainer. This was the beginning of her passion for the discipline of dressage.
Werth’s wins include a team gold and individual silvers at Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000. Werth and her horse, Gigolo, also won four world titles in individual and team events in 1994 and 1998. She also won five European crowns. After an absence from the competition circuit, in 2016 she made a comeback at the age of 47 in Rio, winning a fifth Olympic team gold, the sixth gold of her career, and a ninth medal. Her last equestrian competition was in 2021 at the Tokyo, Japan competition.
2. McLain Ward
With parents professionally involved in the equestrian industry, it’s no surprise that McLain Ward, also known as “The Kid,” is at the top of the list when it comes to successful equestrian competitors. Ward became the youngest rider to win the US Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Derby at 14. He followed his first success 10 weeks later by winning the USET Medal Finals. This earned him the respect of professional equestrians for being the first and youngest rider to win two titles in one year.
Ward’s wins include a gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, a silver medal at the World Championships in Aachen, Germany in 2006, a team gold for show jumping at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games, and a team bronze at the 2014 World Championships in France. He’s also earned individual victories at the Pan American Games in 2015 and the 2017 Longines FEI World Cup Championship to name a couple more.
3. Ben Maher
British competitor, Ben Maher is famous for his showjumping skills and Olympic wins. One of his proudest accomplishments was winning an individual gold medal during the Tokyo Games and a 2012 London Olympic games team gold medal. Maher was born in 1983 in Enfield, where he began riding horses at the age of 8. He learned riding and competition from British rider Liz Edgar and from two years of riding experience in Switzerland. He was the youngest person to win the Hisckstead Derby.
Maher won a team bronze at the 2011 European Championships in Madrid, an individual silver and team gold at the 2013 European Championships, and an individual silver and team bronze at the 2019 European Championships, to name a few of his accomplishments in the discipline.
4. Reiner Klimke
Reiner Klimke was born in Münster, Germany, in 1936. He trained at the Stecken’s Westfalien Riding School and the German FN headquarters. He won an Olympic gold medal on Ahlerich at the Los Angeles Games in 1984, team gold medals at six Olympic competitions, six World Championships, and 13 European Championships. Though he practiced several equestrian disciplines, he favored dressage. Klimke also earned a doctorate and made a living as a lawyer. He passed away in 1999, in Germany, where he lived all his life.
5. Ludger Beerbaum
Ludger Beerbaum is a four-time Olympic Gold Medalist. In addition to his Olympic wins, he has won five European and two World Championships. Originally, Beerbaum wasn’t particularly interested in learning anything to do with horses or riding. At the request of his father, he began his equestrian journey at the tender young age of 8. By the time he turned 15, he was well on his way to a professional horse riding career. Beerbaum splits his time between competing and his Ludger Beebaum Stables.
Honorable Mentions
Other equestrians whose accomplishments make them worthy of mentioning here include Charlotte Dujardin, Sir Mark Todd, Pippa Funnell, Steffen Peters, Beezie Madden, Michael Jung, Anky Van Grunsven, and Phillip Dutton. These athletes have earned renown for their hard work, dedication, and achievements. Equestrians compete for many reasons. From a love of horses to the desire to improve their horsemanship skills and bond with their horse to develop positive traits. Nonetheless, equestrian competitions are an ideal way to evolve as a rider.
