Jung Kyun Suh, a legendary Korean dressage rider, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 62 on 12 March 2025. He was known for being the most successful Asian dressage rider to date, achieving the highest Olympic ranking for a South Korean equestrian athlete and collecting a record-tying six gold medals at the Asian Games.
Suh honed his dressage skills by training with Reiner Klimke in Germany, which led to unprecedented success in his career. He achieved team and individual gold at the 1986 Asian Games and went on to compete in the 1988 Seoul Olympics, ranking 10th individually with his horse Pascal. Suh continued to visit Germany regularly to improve his riding skills and maintain his connection with the equestrian community.
In addition to his success in dressage, Suh was also a skilled show jumper and owned the Chung Hak equestrian center, where he trained the next generation of Korean dressage athletes. His sudden passing from a stroke left a lasting impact on the Korean equine industry, and a memorial service was held in his honor by the Korea Equestrian Federation. Suh’s dedication to coaching and cultivating talent has been remembered by his students and colleagues.
