{{short description|American show jumper}} {{Infobox equestrian | name = Chris Kappler | image = Jkassel IMG 4581 923006 hc.jpg | imagesize = 275px | fullname = Chris Kappler | nationality = {{USA}} | discipline = Show jumping | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1967|2|9}} | birth_place = St. Charles, Illinois, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 3 | weight_lb = 159 | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Equestrian }} {{MedalCountry | the {{USA}} }} {{MedalOlympics}} center|80px {{MedalGold | 2004 Athens | Team jumping }} {{MedalSilver | 2004 Athens | Individual jumping }} {{MedalCompetition | Pan American Games }} {{MedalGold | 2003 Santo Domingo | Team jumping }} {{MedalSilver | 2003 Santo Domingo | Individual jumping }} }}
'''Chris Kappler''' (born February 9, 1967) is an American show jumper and horse trainer. He is an Olympic gold and silver medalist,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fei.org/athlete/10000959/KAPPLER-Chris|title=Chris Kappler (10000959)|work=FEI.org|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}}</ref> and the winner of over 100 Grand Prixs. He is a founder of the North American Riders Group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chriskappler.com/ChrisKappler.html|title=Chris Kappler Inc.|last=Designs|first=NJ|website=chriskappler.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref>
==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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chriskappler.com/ChrisKappler.html|title=Chris Kappler Inc.|last=Designs|first=NJ|website=chriskappler.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref>
==Career== Kappler worked for George Morris for almost 25 years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.phelpssports.com/five-questions-olympic-gold-medalist-chris-kappler/|title=Five Questions with Olympic Gold Medalist Chris Kappler|date=2018-10-04|work=Phelps Sports|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chriskappler.com/ChrisKappler.html|title=Chris Kappler Inc.|last=Designs|first=NJ|website=chriskappler.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref> 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. Riding Royal Kaliber, he won team gold and individual silver.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.phelpssports.com/five-questions-olympic-gold-medalist-chris-kappler/|title=Five Questions with Olympic Gold Medalist Chris Kappler|date=2018-10-04|work=Phelps Sports|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chriskappler.com/ChrisKappler.html|title=Chris Kappler Inc.|last=Designs|first=NJ|website=chriskappler.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-13}}</ref>
By 2018, Kappler decided to stop riding competitively and focus on training horses and riders. He often travels to teach clinics.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.phelpssports.com/five-questions-olympic-gold-medalist-chris-kappler/|title=Five Questions with Olympic Gold Medalist Chris Kappler|date=2018-10-04|work=Phelps Sports|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Personal life== Kappler is a resident of the Pittstown section of Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cosdon |first=Christina |title=Kappler lands 2nd invitational |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2003/03/30/Sports/Kappler_lands_2nd_Inv.shtml |publisher=St. Petersburg Times |date=2003-03-30 |accessdate=2007-08-12}}</ref><ref>Editorial. [https://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2012/07/editorial_hunterdon_can_be_pro.html "Editorial: Hunterdon can be proud of residents who have competed in the Olympics, Culley is next"], ''Hunterdon County Democrat'', 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."</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.chriskappler.com/ Official website]
{{Olympic champions – Equestrian team jumping}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kappler, Chris}} Category:1967 births Category:Equestrians at the 2004 Summer Olympics Category:Living people Category:American male equestrians Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in equestrian Category:Olympic silver medalists for the United States in equestrian Category:Sportspeople from St. Charles, Illinois Category:People from Franklin Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey Category:American show jumping riders Category:Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics Category:Equestrians at the 2003 Pan American Games Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States in equestrian Category:Medalists at the 2003 Pan American Games Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:20th-century American sportsmen