Puck at its peak

After tragedy, the path to the Olympics opened up

Gerfried Puck and his "Naxcel"(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Carinthian show jumping ace Gerfried Puck is eagerly awaiting his first "Games"! He actually wanted to end his career years ago - luckily his girlfriend Kathrin and son Tobias persuaded the 51-year-old to carry on after a devastating stable fire. 

"If it wasn't for my girlfriend Kathrin and son Tobias, I wouldn't be riding anymore!" admits Gerfried Puck (51) from Görtschitztal shortly before his career highlight, his first start in the show jumping competition at the Olympic Games in Paris on August 1st. "They encouraged me, gave me positive words of encouragement - and kicked me in the butt a bit. Then I got fully back into equestrian sport."