The 20th Olympic Games of 1972 were allocated to Munich (GER) – 36 years after the celebrated but politically misused Berlin Games. The Olympic peace was shattered on the 11th day by a murderous attack by terrorists on the Israeli home in the Olympic village. After a day of mourning with no competitions being held, the Games continued in a sad atmosphere.
The main site for the equestrian events was an existing riding facility at Riem – not far from the then Munich airport – elaborately transformed in a jewel of an Olympic facility. There eventing and the individual jumping competition were held. The dressage competitions were presented in the garden of the baroque Nymphenburg castle – a truly unique and spectacular site. The team jumping competition was held, as it was the case from 1912 to 1976, in the main Olympic Stadium.
Six countries shared the 18 medals. The host country, Germany, won most: five, of which two gold. It was a slight disappointment: team gold in jumping, but no individual medal, only team silver in dressage and no individual medals in eventing. Great Britain won both gold medals in eventing – the Soviet Union beat the Germans in dressage and Italy won three medals, including individual jumping gold.
Max E. Ammann, still foreign correspondent in New York (USA), attended the Munich Olympic Games as Journalist. He covered the three equestrian disciplines, among others, for the Chronicle of the Horse (USA) and Information Hippique (FRA).
Jumping - individual competition (03.09.1972)
1. Graziano Mancinelli (ITA) – Ambassador
2. Ann Moore (GBR) – Psalm
3. Neal Shapiro (USA) – Sloopy
Jumping - team competition (11.09.1972)
1. Germany
Fritz Ligges (FRG) – Robin
Gerd Wiltfang (FRG) – Askan
Hartwig Steenken (FRG) – Simona
Hans Günter Winkler (FRG) – Torphy
2. United States of America
Neal Shapiro (USA) – Sloopy
Kathy Kusner (USA) – Fleet Apple
Frank D. Chapot (USA) – White Lightning
William C. Steinkraus (USA) - Main Spring
3. Italy
Vittorio Orlandi (ITA) – Fulmer Feather Duster
Graziano Manchinelli (ITA) – Ambassador
Raimondo d’Inzeo (ITA) – Fiorello
Piero d’Inzeo (ITA) – Easter Light
Dressage – individual competition (05.+07.+09.09.1972)
1. Liselott Linsenhoff (FRG) – Piaff
2. Elena Petushkova (URS) – Pepel
3. Josef Neckermann (FRG) - Venetia
Dressage – team competition (05.+07.09.1972)
1. Soviet Union
Elena Petushkova (URS) – Pepel
Ivan Kizimov (URS) – Ichor
Ivan Kalita (URS) – Tarif
2. Germany
Liselott Linsenhoff (FRG) – Piaff
Josef Neckermann (FRG) – Venetia
Karin Schlüter (FRG) – Liostro
3. Sweden
Ulla Hakanson (SWE) – Ajax
Ninna Swaab (SWE) – Casanova
Maud von Rosen (SWE) – Lucky Boy
Eventing – individual competition (29.08.1972-01.09.1972)
1. Richard Meade (GBR) – Laurieston
2. Alessandro Argenton (ITA) – Woodland
3. Jan Jönsson (SWE) -Sarajewo
Eventing – team competition (29.08.1972-01.09.1972)
1. Great Britain
Richard Meade (GBR) – Laurieston
Mary Gordon-Watson (GBR) – Cornishman V
Bridget Parker (GBR) – Cornish Gold
Mark Phillips (GBR) – Great Ovation
2. United States of America
Kevin Freeman (USA) – Good Mixture
Bruce Davidson (USA) – Plain Sailing
J. Michael Plumb (USA) – Free and Easy
James Wofford (USA) – Kilkenny
3. Germany
Harry Klugmann (FRG) – Christopher Robert
Lutz Gössing (FRG) – Chicago
Karl Schultz (FRG) – Pisco
Horst Karsten (FRG) - Sioux
