France's double Olympic champion Pierre Jonqueres d'Oriola passed away at his home in the Pyrenees on Tuesday 19 July. He was aged 91.
Born on 1 February 1920, d'Oriola won individual gold in the Jumping at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki riding Ali Baba. This was the second Olympic medal for the d’Oriola family in Helsinki. Only six days earlier his cousin Christian d’Oriola had won gold in the fencing.
Twelve years later in Tokyo, Pierre Jonqueres d’Oriola again took individual Jumping gold, this time on Lutteur B, and led the French to team silver. D’Oriola’s was the only gold for France in the Tokyo Olympics, earning him special congratulations from General de Gaulle and the rider received a hero’s welcome on his return to his homeland.
He won individual gold at the 1966 world championships in Buenos Aires (ARG) with a new horse Pomone B. D’Oriola rode in the change-horse final against three other legendary names in the sport – José de Borhoques (ESP), Raimondo d’Inzeo (ITA) and Nelson Pessoa (BRA) – to become the first French rider to claim the title. D’Oriola went on to take silver in the team event at the Mexico Olympics in 1968, his fifth and final appearance at the Olympic Games.
During 25 years of international competition, D’Oriola scored more than 500 victories, including Grand Prix wins in Rome (twice), Paris, Geneva, Nice and Brussels, as well as the King’s Cup in London. He was French national champion four times – in 1954, 1956, 1958 and 1959.
He lived in France, just across the border from Spain and was regularly seen at the CSIO Barcelona, which he visited every year, including 2010.
"He was an absolute gentleman and a wonderful horseman", FEI Director Jumping John Roche said. "He will be missed greatly by all who knew him and came in contact with him."
For more information, contact: ruth.grundy@fei.org
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