George Morris No one in the world has coached more Olympic riders and international stars than George H. Morris, the legendary horseman who’s been the U.S. show jumping team’s chef d'equipe (or coach) since 2005. For almost 50 years, Morris has preached the bible of correct and classical training of horses and riders with a religious fervor, through training riders ranging from talented teenagers to Olympic medalists, through conducting a never-ending series of clinics around the world, through writing three influential books about riding and training, and through writing monthly "Between Rounds" columns for The Chronicle of the Horse since 1989.
Morris became an equestrian star at age 14 by winning the nation's two most prestigious equitation championships in the same year, the AHSA Medal Final and the ASPCA Maclay Final. He then earned the team silver medal at the 1960 Olympics before turning his attention to teaching and training, although he returned to international competition in the late ‘80s, winning the world's richest grand prix. His roster of students includes six Olympic medalists.
The unbreakable tenets to Morris' philosophy are rigid self-discipline, doing things "the right way", and proper horsemanship. He endeavors always to instill these ideals in his students and in their students.
Morris is trainer and judge of horses and riders in the hunter/jumper disciplines, and is considered a "founding father" of Hunt Seat Equitation. He is also the current chef d'equipe for the USEF Show Jumping Team.
Morris has represented the United States in many international competitions as both a rider and coach. In 1959 his team won the gold medal in the Pan American Games, and he won a team silver medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Morris rode on eight winning Nations Cup teams between 1958 and 1960. Morris' students have medaled in the 1984, 1992, 1996, and 2004 Olympic Games. Morris has acted as chef d'equipe for numerous winning teams, including the 2005 champions of the Samsung Super League.
Originally published in 1971, and now in its third edition, Morris' Hunter Seat Equitation is often recognized as the definitive work on the subject. Morris has also authored several other books and videos on riding and judging, including George Morris Teaches Beginners to Ride, A Clinic for Instructors, Parents, and Students, and The American Jumping Style.
Morris also writes a very popular column in the monthly equestrian magazine Practical Horseman, entitled "Jumping Clinic," in which he critiques the jumping positions of photos which have been submitted by readers.
Additionally, Mr. Morris serves on the USEF National Jumper Committee and Planning Committee, and is the President of the United States Show Jumping Hall of Fame.
Said Alan Balch, former president of the United States Equestrian Federation, "Since the 1950s, George Morris has been the single most influential teacher of jumper riders in the nation."
