104 SIDELINES SEPTEMBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By April Leonard
Seventy one seems like a good age for enjoying retirement,
spending time with children or grandchildren, taking time to
engage in hobbies…or maybe competing in the 2012 Olympics!
Hiroshi Hoketsu has chosen the latter. At 71 years old (he was
born in 1941), the Japanese dressage rider is the oldest equestrian
competitor in the 2012 Olympic Games – in fact he is the oldest
competitor across the board at the London Games. He misses
being the oldest Olympian in history by only one year - that medal
goes to the Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn who was 72 when he
competed in the 1920 Olympic Games.
Thin, energetic and with a head full of dark hair, Hiroshi is ready
to ride for gold. The 2012 Olympics will be Hiroshi’s third time
Hiroshi and Whisper compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
e
Dressage
Japanese Olympic Treasure Still Going Strong
Hiroshi Hoketsu, 71 and still going strong
to compete in the Olympics. He kicked off his Olympic career
by competing on the Japanese Olympic Show Jumping Team
in 1964 at the Tokyo Olympics, where he came in 40th. During
his frst Olympic experience he was just a baby – only 23 years
old. Although Hiroshi qualifed for the Olympics again in 1988, he
was unable to compete when his horse became ill. In 2008, he
competed as a dressage rider in the Beijing Olympics; coming in
ninth in team dressage and 35th in individual dressage.
Even four years ago in Beijing, Hiroshi was the oldest athlete
competing in any Olympic event. He will compete on his beloved
horse Whisper in the 2012 London Olympics, the same mare he
competed on in Beijing. The 15 year old Hanoverian spooked in
the 2008 Olympics and then suffered from lameness two years
later. The mare is trying to keep up with her energetic rider and
has rebounded which has thrilled Hiroshi who is excited to share
the Olympic experience with Whisper once again.
Hiroshi, who was a top pharmaceutical CEO during his career
and has degrees from Keio University and Duke University,
currently lives in Aachen, Germany, where he has devoted much
of his time to training for the Olympics. His dedication is apparent
as he works on strengthening his muscles and preparing for the
“ride of a lifetime.”
Without a doubt the world will be watching as Hiroshi and
Whisper ride into the Olympic ring. In Japan, they call Hiroshi the
“hope of old men” and while that may be a ftting title, equestrians
everywhere will surely give him a new name – “hope of all riders.”
Photos: All photos by Tokyo 2020/Photo Kishimoto