Pierre DurandOlympian

About Pierre Durand

Pierre Durand, born on 16 February 1955 in France, is a celebrated French showjumping rider. Known for his partnership with Jappeloup de Luze, Durand secured numerous prestigious victories, marking a historic presence in equestrian sports. A pinnacle of his career was the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where he won individual gold and contributed to France's team bronze in showjumping. In 1987, he was crowned European Champion and in 1990, a team World Champion in Stockholm, demonstrating consistent top-level performance. His collaboration with Jappeloup, beginning in 1981, saw them winning the French championship in 1982 and succeeding in multiple Grand Prix and international competitions, participating in four European Championships, two World Championships, and five World Cup Finals. The partnership concluded with Jappeloup's retirement in 1991. Continuing his success, Durand triumphed at Pau's Grand Prix with Laudanum. Durand retired from competition in 1992 due to his mare Narcotique's injury but stayed active in the sport through roles at the French Equestrian Federation and INSEP. Although his 2014 bid for the FEI presidency was unsuccessful, his influence in the equestrian arena is significant, underpinned by his choice to own his horses to maintain career independence.