Portrait of a Legend: Kathy Kusner

In this WiSP Sports latest Podcast: Portrait of a Legend, we celebrate the lives of women around the world who have become icons in their sports. We begin with an archived interview of Chris Stafford talking to U.S. Team Show Jumper, Marathon Runner and Pilot, Kathy Kusner.



Kathy was named Horsewoman of the Year before joining the United States Equestrian Team at the age of 21. Representing the United States, she rode in three 1964 Olympic Games Tokyo, 1968 Mexico City, and 1972 Munich where she won the silver medal. She was a member of the U.S team in two Pan American Games Sao Paulo in 1963 (gold) and Winnipeg in 1967 (silver).


Kathy is a avid runner. As of August 2015, she has completed 123 marathons and 73 ultra-marathons, including 20 races of 50 miles or longer. In 1997, she finished the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Race in 27 hours, 37 minutes.


Kathy also has a commercial pilot license plus, multi-engine, instrument, seaplane, and commercial glider ratings. She obtained a Lear Jet-type rating and became the first woman to work as a Lear Jet pilot for Executive Jet Aviation, which was the largest jet charter company in the world at that time. She also has aerobatics skills.


Kathy is founder and chairman of the board of Horses In The Hood, a non-profit organization benefiting the inner-city community by providing lessons that teach skills and values associated with the care and riding of horses.


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