Japanse Equestrian Hiroshi Hoketsu Oldest 2008 Olympian
July 7, 2008
I’m always telling people that I’m still going to be riding horses when I’m a little 80-year-old lady. They tend to look at me like I’m a little crazy.
Of course, it’s always the non-horsey people who just don’t get it.
But they probably wouldn’t be so surprised if they knew that the oldest athlete competing at the Beijing Olympics in August is 67-year-old Hiroshi Hoketsu, a dressage rider for the Japanese equestrian team. His first Olympics was in 1964, where he placed 40th in the show jumping competition. It’s been 44 years since Hoketsu’s Olympic debut, and in that time he’s been busy running large pharmaceutical companies, including the Japan division of Johnson & Johnson, prior to his retirement in 2002.
It was his wife, Motoko, who first introduced Hiroshi to dressage after enjoying watching the sport in Europe. A self-professed perfectionist, Hiroshi was fascinated by the detail and precision involved in the sport. He began riding every morning before donning his suit and tie and heading in to the office. After business trips abroad, the first place he went when he got home was the stables. He earned his second Olympic spot for Seoul in 1988, but was unable to compete when his horse failed the quarantine test due to a respiratory problem. Hiroshi then decided to concentrate on competitions at home, and won five national championships in a row between 1988 and 1992.
But he never gave up his Olympic dream.
Following his retirement from Johnson & Johnson, Hiroshi flew to Aachen, Germany where he took up with trainer Ton de Ridder. Under Ridder’s instruction, he qualified for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, only to be thwarted again when his horse Calando went lame.
Then he found Whisper, an 11-year-old chestnut mare with a wide blaze and taste for bananas. The pair has solidified a strong partnership that has impressed discerning judges, earned the Japanese equestrian team a spot in the 2008 Summer Olympics, and is finally sending Hiroshi back to the Olympics. The Pan-Asian Olympic qualifiers were scrambled by an outbreak of Equine Influenza, and instead delegations were sent to evaluate the riders for the countries affected. Hiroshi and Whisper won for Japan, securing a slot in the equestrian events for his country as well as his own Olympic berth.
After their Olympic qualification, trainer Ton de Ridder said,
“Hoketsu has been fighting for this dream for the last five years and his perseverance and attitude are admirable. While experiencing successes and disasters, like having his horse Calando not sound at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, he stuck to his dream. He found a new horse, kept on believing in our training and discipline and now he has succeeded. I am very happy for him. It also proves that new things are possible in dressage, at any age - even at 67!”.
Hiroshi is not overly thrilled that people are making such a big deal about his age, although he does refer to himself as “the hope for old men.” Of competing in dressage as an older man and his switch from show jumping to dressage, he says:
“In show jumping, you use your eyes to gauge the distance between the obstacle and yourself. This ability decreases as you get older,” Hoketsu said.
“It is not the case in dressage. You don’t have to pull on your physical strength much. I think it is a sport which you can do at a fairly advanced age if you have a chance and an agreeable horse.”
Besides the fact that Hiroshi’s family allegedly descends from a group of pirates who infested the Inland Sea in the Middle Ages, I’m intrigued by him because he is a normal kind of person going for his Olympic dream. Most of the other Olympic equestrian athletes have made horses their profession, which is also admirable. But I love the fact that Hiroshi spent his life as a businessman, kept up his love of horses around his work schedule, and is now competing in the Olympics once again. How cool is that? He sounds like a fun character, as does his horse, and I’m going to be watching out for them in August.
I don’t think we will see the last of Hiroshi Hoketsu at the Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong. He says that he will keep it up as long as he and his horse stay fit. 2010 World Equestrian Games or 2012 Olympics anyone?
Posted in 2008 Olympics, Horse Events, Olympic Dressage
July 7th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
If I could only be so lucky as to ride Grand Prix when I am 67 I will have lead an amazing life! Good for him!
July 7th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
This just goes to prove that you are never too old to try anything in the riding arena. Good luck to him and a big thank you too, for sticking with his dreams.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Thanks for introducing us to him. It’s always more interesting watching sports when you know the “stories” behind some of the participants. I will bet he’ll keep on going until he’s well past 100. If his horse gives out, he’ll find another.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:35 am
I just stumbled upon your website and have to say I’m hooked! I’ve been reading your archives, and subscribed to the email list, it’s so nice to have a “new station” that’s all horses! Great job on the site.
It is really really great to have a 67 year old riding in the Olympics…I think that his story will really demonstrate to the general public the power of horses. What other sport could a senior citizen dominate at??? What a great man and I agree with you, it’s great to see that he is a “normal” guy who just rides as a hobby. I made that choice for myself…to not pursue a horsey career and keep them as a hobby. Sometimes I am jealous of my friends who have gone off to horsey colleges and learned so much and had so much fun, but bottom line is for me I want to keep them a passion, and for me that means keeping them strictly as a hobby! Props to hime for making it so far!!!
July 8th, 2008 at 9:59 am
OnTheBit - So true! The great thing about horses is that (as long as we stay healthy) we can do it our whole lives. We don’t have to hit the Grand Prix level in our twenties; we’ve got decades to work on it!
GreyHorseMatters - I love that he’s stuck with it and never given up — and hasn’t let his age get in the way. He’ll live a longer life for staying in shape and staying involved in something he loves. I think he’s going to be fun to watch.
Nuzzling Muzzles - I like knowing the stories too. It’s so much fun to research and write about them. The only problem is that I get to know them and then I want them all to do well! I’ll definitely be writing about all of the US riders as well as some of the top riders and interesting stories from other countries. It’s going to be a fun two months!
LizWolo - Thanks for coming by and reading. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my blog! It’s just as much fun to write as you say it is to read.
I’m in the same place. I chose to keep horses as my hobby and not turn it into my profession. Sometimes I think it would have been fun to go to an equestrian college and spend my life doing it; but I also love the field in which I am working and the horses are a great release on the side. I think it is easier to enjoy horses when you aren’t counting on them as your livelihood. And like you, this is what makes me interested in Hiroshi.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
What a great story!!!I thought I was too old at 55 to still try for the olympics, but now I know I’m not. If he can do it so can I.
August 10th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
What an inspirational story — just wonderful. I hope he does very well indeed!
August 13th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
just read this, linked from someone else who found it - hope for us alll!
there seem to be a number of amateurs doing well at the equestrian olympics this year!
August 15th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Had to find this to prove to my girlfriend and her mum that i wasnt talking rubbish! ha ha i knew i was right and me a non rider as well but had a little sister who was mad on horses back in the 70s and 80s…john whiticker was only a young lad in those days.I was a big Harvey Smith fan though.Maybe i might take this sport up i am only 41.come on GB!
August 15th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Truly inspiring. When i am training and it seems all too hard, i will think of this man and I am sure both my horse and myself will move forward.
When i am competing and my horse shy’s or baulks, i wont think i am the only person in the world it happens to.
We all need a hero and this guy is mine.
August 15th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Hiroshi Hoketsu rocks-he’s an inspiration to all !
August 27th, 2008 at 5:06 am
Hello
I watched you on tv at the olympics.. you are fantastic! i love ridding horse, i live in the country so yea horse riddings big! i wish you luck for everything else you do..
your a great role modle…