Fritz Ligges

After missing qualification for the 1960 Olympics, Fritz Ligges had his breakthrough as an eventing rider in 1961, when he won the German title. He retained that title in 1962, and was named on the 1964 Olympic team. Riding his second-choice horse Donkosak (Föhn had been injured), he won bronze medals both individually and with the German team. He then switched from eventing to jumping, and also began training and coaching younger riders. In 1972, he once more made the Olympic team. With his team mates, Ligges narrowly defeated the Americans for the gold medal in the team event. While still competing himself, Ligges established his own stables (Gestüt Ligges). His last competitive highlight came in 1984, when he competed in his third Olympics, and won his fourth medal, a bronze with the jumping. Two years later, he ended his career to become the coach of the German national junior team. He held that position until he died of a heart attack in 1996.