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Seidel, Guenter
- 2004 U.S. Olympic Team member
- Won several 2004 Grand Prix Olympic qualifying events in California
- Won team silver at the 2002 World Equestrian Games
- Won team bronze medals at both the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games
- Won a team silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games
- Is a native of Germany, where he earned his Berelter degree before coming to the U.S. in 1985.
- Became a trainer of dressage horses and riders prior to beginning his own competitive career.
- Was taught the classical method of dressage riding, not trick riding, so he is known for his quiet legs and hands.
- Posed for a picture in GQ Magazine featuring male Olympians in 2000.
- Is a veteran and one of the most decorated members of the U.S. Equestrian Team.
- Was awarded the Whitney Stone Cup by the U.S. Equestrian Team in 2002 for achieving “a distinguished record in international competition while also serving as an ambassador for the USET and equestrian sports.”
- Was named U.S. Equestrian Team “Athlete of the Month” for July 2002 after winning a three-star dressage competition in CDI Norten-Hardenburg in Germany over a world-class field of competitors.
- His horse, Foltaire, had a bout with colic shortly before the 2000 Olympic Games, but the pair went on to help the U.S. win its third consecutive team bronze medal.
- When Seidel isn’t competing on the international stage, he spends his time riding horses full-time in addition to teaching and training dressage riders and horses.
- Was successful riding three different horses in his quest for a spot on the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team.
- He and horse, Nikolaus, were named “Best Horse and Rider” of the 2001 Austrian CDI.
With a name like Guenter Seidel, its quite obvious to most observers that this rider has a German heritage. Not only was Seidel born in Germany, that’s where he first learned to ride. How did he end up a medalist for the U.S.? While vacationing in California in 1987, Seidel fell in love with the area’s dedication to the sport of equestrian, moved to the U.S., became a U.S. citizen and began competing. The rest is history.
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Born: 9/23/1960
Hometown: Germany
Resides: Del Mar, Calif.
Sport: Equestrian
Event: Dressage
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