Hugo SimonOlympian

About Hugo Simon

Hugo Simon is a highly celebrated Austrian showjumping rider, born in 1942. His career is marked by remarkable achievements in the showjumping arena, where he has competed in six Olympic Games from 1972 to 1996, representing Austria, after becoming a citizen in 1972. Simon's Olympic career is highlighted by winning a silver medal in the team event at the 1992 Barcelona Games riding his horse Apricot D. Additionally, he achieved his best individual Olympic finish in 1996 where he placed fourth on his remarkable horse E.T.

In addition to his Olympic success, Simon has an impressive record at the World Championships, where he won an individual bronze medal in 1974. Furthermore, his success in the FEI World Cup Final is particularly notable. Hugo Simon was the first rider to secure three victories in the World Cup Final, winning in 1979 on Gladstone, and again in 1996 and 1997 on E.T., establishing himself amongst the elite in the sport. Simon's consistent performance over the decades has cemented his reputation as one of showjumping's legends.

Beyond these achievements, Simon's partnership with notable horses like E.T., Gladstone, and Apricot D has been integral to his success. His partnership with E.T. was particularly fruitful, with significant wins such as the Aachen Grand Prix in 1998. Even in the latter stages of his career, Simon continued to break records, becoming the oldest person to win an international showjumping Grand Prix at the age of 73 in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, in 2015.