Kevin Freeman (equestrian)

Kevin Freeman
Personal information
Full nameKevin John Freeman
Born(1941-10-21)October 21, 1941
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
DiedMarch 10, 2023(2023-03-10) (aged 81)
Medal record
Equestrian
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1964 Tokyo Team eventing
Silver medal – second place 1968 Mexico City Team eventing
Silver medal – second place 1972 Munich Team eventing
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1963 São Paulo Team eventing
Silver medal – second place 1963 São Paulo Individual eventing

Kevin John Freeman (October 21, 1941 – March 10, 2023) was an American equestrian who competed at three Olympic Games, winning silver medals in team eventing in 1964, 1968, and 1972.

Early life

Born in Portland, Oregon, Freeman grew up on a farm in nearby Molalla. After attending Cornell University, Freeman developed his equestrian skills in California.[1] He competed in the 1963 Pan American Games, earning a gold medal in team competition, and a silver as an individual.[1]

Olympics

In 1964, Freeman competed in eventing for the United States at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo aboard Gallopade, earning a silver medal in team competition and finishing 12th individually.[1] Freeman competed again on the U.S. Team in the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City riding Chalan. Freeman had ridden Chalan only one time before the Olympics and that was the day before the team shipped out for Mexico. In spite of a torrential rain storm on cross-country which obliterated some of the take-offs and landings, the team still won the silver medal.[1][2]

After competition

Freeman was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1991,[1] and in 2009, was inducted into the United States Eventing Association Hall of Fame along with Good Mixture, his horse at the 1972 Olympics.[3][4] Freeman lived in the Garden Home neighborhood of Portland.[3] He died on March 10, 2023, at the age of 81.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Kevin Freeman – Equestrian". Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  2. ^ "Kevin Freeman Biography and Olympic Results". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Gilmer, Ellen (December 17, 2009). "Olympic horseman from Oregon inducted into eventing hall of fame". Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  4. ^ "Kevin Freeman". U.S. Eventing Association. Archived from the original on June 3, 2017. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  5. ^ "Kevin Freeman". Olympedia. Retrieved 14 March 2023.