Kappler Enjoys Teaching and a Return to Winning

A victory aboard VDL Oranta in last weekend’s quirky edition of the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational was especially welcome for Chris Kappler of Flemington because, as he accurately pointed out, “It’s been a little while since I’ve had a win.”

Kappler took the show jumping team gold medal and an individual silver at the 2004 Olympics, but his mount, Royal Kaliber, was injured in the competition. Despite weeks of the best veterinary care, the stallion finally had to be put down. Kappler, who has had other droughts in his career, was not seen as often in the grand prix arena without a top horse and switched gears to a certain extent.

“Since the Olympics, I’ve been doing a lot of training,” said Kappler, 42, a former associate of U.S. show jumping coach George Morris…

…Oranta had been second in the 2006 Invitational, but this was her first big win. Asked whether he has another Olympics or a World Equestrian Games in him, Kappler said, “Of course I do. I feel like I’m still riding well. I keep myself in good shape and work out a lot and ride as much as I can.” In addition to Oranta, he is competing on the WEF 6-year-old champion, VDL Dundee….

Read the entire story by Nancy Jaffer
Date: 4-11-2009
By: http://www.nj.com