Gem Twist

Gem Twist
Photo taken at CSIO Lanaken 1990, featuring rider Greg Best (United States) on Gem Twist.
BreedThoroughbred
SireGood Twist
DamColdly Noble
Maternal grandsireNoble Jay
SexGelding
FoaledJune 12, 1979
DiedNovember 18, 2006
ColourGray
BreederFrank Chapot
OwnerMichael Golden[1]
TrainerFrank Chapot
Earnings
$800,000 USD[2]
Awards
Gem Twist
Medal record
Olympics
Silver medal – second place 1988 Seoul Individual jumping
Silver medal – second place 1988 Seoul Team jumping
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 1987 Indianapolis Team Jumping

Gem Twist (June 12, 1979 – November 18, 2006) was a 16.3 hands (67 inches, 170 cm) world champion American Thoroughbred show jumping horse registered under the name Icey Twist.[1] Bred by equestrian Frank Chapot,[3] Gem Twist had an incredible career at the Grand Prix level. The gelding is the only horse to have won the "American Grand Prix Association Horse of the Year" title three times,[4] and is regarded as one of the best show-jumpers in history.[5]

Three genetic clones of Gem Twist were subsequently foaled after Gem Twist's death in 2006: Gemini CL, Murka's Gem, and Gem Twist Alpha Z. All three clones are primarily used for breeding German warmblood sport horses in Europe.

  1. ^ a b "Gem Twist, U.S. Star, To Take His Final Bows". Finn, Robin. The New York Times. 10/28/97. Referenced January 2, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c "Legendary Show Jumper Gem Twist Dies". The Chronicle of the Horse. 19 November 2006. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Show Jumping Legend Gem Twist Dies". Equisearch. Referenced January 2, 2008.
  4. ^ "The Legend of Gem Twist" Archived 2007-01-21 at the Wayback Machine. Chado Farms. Referenced January 2, 2008.
  5. ^ "Glorious Gem Twist Euthanized" Archived 2010-12-04 at the Wayback Machine. Hale, Cindy. Horse Channel. 12/4/06. Referenced January 2, 2008.