Pepo Puch

Started: He began riding at age 15 in Oberzeiring, Austria. (Athlete, 07 Feb 2012) Reason: He loved horses as a young boy. Following his accident, he set himself the goal of taking up the sport again as motivation during his rehabilitation. (oepc.at, 14 Aug 2012; Athlete, 07 Feb 2012) Milestones: He became the first Para dressage rider representing Austria to finish on the podium at the Paralympic Games by claiming a gold medal and a bronze medal at the 2012 Games in London. (SportsDeskOnline, 11 Jun 2020; pepopuch.com, 10 Mar 2018; orf.at, 03 Sep 2012) Awards: He and badminton player Henriett Koosz were Austria's flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (medias.paris2024.org, 28 Aug 2024) In June 2022 he was presented with the Sports Performance Medal in Gold [Sportleistungsmedaille in Gold] of Styria in recognition of his achievements in equestrian sport. (Instagram profile, 24 Jun 2022) In 2017 he was presented with the Golden Badge of Honour by the Austrian Paralympic Sports Association. (radlwolf.at, 20 Oct 2017) In November 2016 he received the Goldenen Ehrennadel [Honorary Pin in Gold] from the Austrian Economic Chamber. (oepc.at, 28 Nov 2016) He was voted the 2016 Para Athlete of the Year in Austria. (propferd.at, 28 Oct 2016; oeps.at, 27 Oct 2016) He was named Para Athlete of the Year for the state of Styria, Austria, in 2013, 2016, and 2017. (murtalinfo.at, 05 May 2017) He won the 2011 Pappas Amadeus Award in recognition of his achievements in Para equestrian. (pferderevue.at, 09 Dec 2012) Additional Info: TOKYO MEDAL At the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, which were rescheduled to 2021, he won a silver medal in individual dressage 13 years to the day that he sustained his impairment. "It was a phenomenal ride [to win silver], simply fantastic. I could do a backflip out of sheer joy at our performance. I don't think back with nostalgia. The first thing that's important when you're ill is that you accept it. I did that and it's just like a second life for me now." (kurier.at, 30 Aug 2021) BUSINESS OWNER He has owned a chimney cleaning business since he was age 15. ''My friends said, 'Don't be a professional horse rider, look for a serious job'. In Austria we have quite a lot of snow and chimney sweeping is a winter business and I was looking for a winter business so I could have time for riding in the summer. I still own the company. With my impairment I can't do the work in the houses but I am behind the scenes and in the office.'' (kurier.at, 21 Aug 2019; fei.org, 27 Sep 2017) AMBASSADOR He has served as an ambassador for worldwide children's charity, 'Right to Play'. (righttoplay.com, 01 Jan 2015) TRIBUTE TO FINE FEELING In 2020 his horse Fine Feeling, on which he won gold at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, had to be put down at age 23 after an accident in a training field. "Fifi was an extraordinary mare. Beautiful, stubborn, she loved the stage and was always ready to give her best in the arena. But she could be very lazy and moody at home. In any case, she was a great character and a typical chestnut mare." (Facebook page, 08 Oct 2020; oepc.at, 08 Oct 2020)

Sporting Relatives: His wife Michele Puch represented Switzerland in eventing at the 2002 World Equestrian Games [WEG] in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. His daughter Lou-Charlotte won a silver medal in equestrian jumping in the youth category at the 2018 Austrian Championships in Vienna. (Facebook page, 06 Aug 2018; fei.org, 13 May 2018; pferderevue.at, 23 Oct 2017; nzz.ch, 10 Jan 2016)