Greg Best & Gem Twist, the Horse of a Lifetime

Greg Best

Gregory Alan `Greg` Best (born July 23, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia) is an equestrian competitor and coach in the sport of show jumping who is best known for winning two silver medals for the United States in the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea riding the famous Gem Twist. In 1992, Best suffered a fall that shattered his shoulder. After this, he moved to New Zealand, where he rode for the New Zealand League, winning the World Cup Series. He has also served as a New Zealand National Show Jumping Selector, a National Show Jumping Coach and a member of the New Zealand Show Jumping High Performance Committee. Best coached New Zealand`s jumpers for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. Between 1987 and 2003, Best also garnered 6 FEI World Cup wins. He now conducts coaching clinics in the United States and New Zealand. Along with Gem Twist, horses named Santos and Entrepreneur have been among his champion mounts.

Accomplishments
1984 - Won the North American Young Rider Championships
1985 - USET Talent Derby
1986 - USET Foundation Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Memorial Award
1987 - American Grand Prix Association Champion, Grand Prix of Florida, Grand Prix of Tampa
1987 - Team silver Pan American Games
1988 - Individual and team silver for show jumping in Seoul Summer Olympic Games
1990 - Final four in the World Equestrian Games
2001/2002 season - winner FEI World Cup Jumping - Pacific League - New Zealand