Chris Kappler (born February 9, 1967) is an American

show jumper Show jumping is a part of a group of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics. Sometimes shows ...

and

horse trainer A horse trainer is a person who tends to horses and teaches them different disciplines. Some of the responsibilities trainers have are caring for the animals' physical needs, as well as teaching them submissive behaviors and/or coaching them for e ...

. He is an Olympic gold and silver medalist, and the winner of over 100 Grand Prixs. He is a founder of the North American Riders Group.

Early life

Kappler grew up in Barrington, Illinois. He started riding at age nine, and began his show career training with Alex Jayne. He was discovered by George Morris and trained at Morris' stable, Hunterdon. He placed second in the USEF Medal Finals, third in the ASPCA Maclay Finals, and second in the USET Talent Search Finals.

Career

Kappler worked for George Morris for almost 25 years. Kappler was named Midwest Rider of the Year in 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1991. In 1989, he won the Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy. He won the American Invitational and American Gold Cup three times each, and won the American Grand Prix Championship once. At the 2003 Pan American Games, Kappler won the team gold and individual silver riding Royal Kaliber. Also in 2003, Kappler was named the Equestrian of the Year by the United States Equestrian Federation. In 2004, Kappler represented the United States at the

Olympic Games The modern Olympic Games or Olympics (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques) are the leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a vari ...

. Riding Royal Kaliber, he won team gold and individual silver. Kappler won the Budweiser Invitational in Tampa on his horse VDL Oranta in 2009. Kappler was a US Team Selector for the 2015 Pan American Games and the 2016 Summer Olympics. Kappler has been a USEF committee member. By 2018, Kappler decided to stop riding competitively and focus on training horses and riders. He often travels to teach clinics.

Personal life

Kappler is a resident of the Pittstown section of

Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Franklin Township is a township in central Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township's population was 3,195, reflecting an increase of 205 (+6.9%) from the 2,990 counted in the 2000 Census, ...

.Editorial
"Editorial: Hunterdon can be proud of residents who have competed in the Olympics, Culley is next"
''

Hunterdon County Democrat The ''Hunterdon County Democrat'' is a weekly newspaper that serves Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Currently owned by Penn Jersey Advance, Inc., its offices are in Raritan Township. It is one of the largest paid weekly newspapers in New Jersey, ...

'', July 26, 2012. Accessed May 29, 2013. "Two equestrians have ridden for the U.S. show jumping team. In 2000, Nona Garson, then of Tewksbury Township, went to Australia and in 2004, Chris Kappler of Franklin Township won the team gold and individual silver in Athens."

References

External links

Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kappler, Chris 1967 births Equestrians at the 2004 Summer Olympics Living people American male equestrians Olympic gold medalists for the United States in equestrian Olympic silver medalists for the United States in equestrian People from St. Charles, Illinois People from Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey American show jumping riders Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics Equestrians at the 2003 Pan American Games Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States Pan American Games medalists in equestrian Medalists at the 2003 Pan American Games