Frank Chapot facts for kids
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| Full name | Francis Davis Chapot | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | February 24, 1932 Camden, New Jersey, U.S. |
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| Died | June 20, 2016 (aged 84) Neshanic Station, New Jersey, U.S. |
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Medal record
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Francis Davis "Frank" Chapot (born February 24, 1932 – died June 20, 2016) was an amazing American horse rider. He competed in horse riding at six Olympic Games in a row! That's from 1956 to 1976. Frank won two silver medals in team show jumping. These were at the 1960 Rome Olympics and the 1972 Munich Olympics.
After his riding career, Frank became the leader (called chef d'equipe) of the American equestrian team. He held this role from 1980 to 2004. He helped the team win their first Olympic team gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He also coached the American show jumping team for many years. Frank retired from coaching in 2005.
Frank Chapot was also famous for breeding and training a champion horse named Gem Twist. This horse was even named the World's Best Horse in 1990. Later in his life, Frank also designed courses for horse jumping competitions and worked as a judge. In 2001, he received a special award for all his contributions to horse sports.
Contents
Early Life & Education
Frank Chapot was born in Camden, New Jersey. His father, Frank Joseph Chapot, was a salesman. Frank grew up on his family's farm in Walpack Township, New Jersey.
He went to Pingry School and graduated in 1950. After that, he studied at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1955.
A Career in Horse Riding
Frank Chapot spent two years serving in the United States Air Force. While he was still in the Air Force in 1956, he joined the American equestrian team.
He often said that being chosen for the Olympic team was a big part of his success. He also had a great relationship with Bertalan de Némethy. Bertalan was a Hungarian coach who trained the U.S. show jumpers for over twenty years. Frank later took over Bertalan's coaching role in the early 1980s. Frank was also asked to judge many horse shows.
In 1965, Frank married another Olympic horse rider, Mary Mairs. They even competed on the same Olympic show jumping team in 1964 and 1968. In 1968, they just barely missed winning a bronze medal.
Gem Twist: A Champion Horse
Frank and Mary retired to their farm, Chado Farm, to raise horses. One of their most famous horses was Gem Twist. Gem Twist was an amazing show jumper who won two Olympic silver medals. He was named the World's Best Horse at the 1990 World Equestrian Games.
Gem Twist had an incredible career. He is the only horse to win the "American Grand Prix Association Horse of the Year" title three times. Many people think he was one of the best show jumpers ever. The Chapots even had Gem Twist cloned to continue his special bloodline.
Awards & Recognition
Frank Chapot was honored for his achievements in horse riding. He was inducted into the United States Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1994. His wife, Mary, had been inducted two years earlier.
Personal Life
Frank Chapot married Mary Mairs in 1965. They had two daughters, Laura and Wendy. Both of their daughters also became horse riders. Laura Chapot became a grand prix rider, and Wendy rides as an amateur jumper.
Frank lived in the Neshanic Station area of Branchburg, New Jersey. He passed away on June 20, 2016, at the age of 84. He was survived by his wife Mary and their two daughters.
See also
- List of athletes with the most appearances at Olympic Games
