István Visy

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameIstván•Visy
Used nameIstván•Visy
Born1 August 1906 in Baksa, Baranya (HUN)
Died6 March 2000 in Salzburg, Salzburg (AUT)
NOC Hungary

Biography

István Visy graduated from military school in 1928, and then served as an artillery officer in Pécs where he started to compete. In 1931 he was posted to the Royal Hungarian Riding Teacher Training School in Örkénytábor, and after graduation, he remained there as a member of the national team. During the eventing competition at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Visy’s horse broke his leg and Visy was forced to retire. The horse was immediately euthanized.

In World War II Visy was wounded in Austria and captured in 1945. During his captivity, recognizing his cavalry skills, he was able to work as a cavalry teacher. He was a riding teacher in Milano in 1952 and in Salzburg in 1955. At the 1960 Rome Olympics he met the president of the United States Equestrian Association, who invited him to coach the US eventing team, leading them from 1961-75, and as their greatest success, the American team won a silver medal at the 1964 Olympics. Visy retired in 1977, but continued to judge equestrian competitions, gave courses and lectures, and provided expert advice to the Hungarian equestrian team.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1936 Summer Olympics Equestrian Eventing (Equestrian) HUN István Visy
Individual, Men (Olympic) Legény DQ
Team, Men (Olympic) Legény / Hungary DNF