Kohei Yusa

Yusa Kohei graduated from the Military Academy in 1904 and subsequently joined the cavalry. As a lieutenant he served on the island of Sachalin in the Russo-Japanese War, where he distinguished himself. Promoted to the rank of captain he served as an equestrian instructor at the Cavalry School of the Army and visited the French cavalry school at Saumur.

As commander Yusa represented Japan at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. Later, as a colonel and major general, respectively, he coached the Japanese equestrian teams at Los Angeles in 1932 and Berlin in 1936. As a member of the Imperial household, Kohei accompanied the Emperor on his rides. He then became responsible for the supply, training, and purchase of warhorses and as a reserve officer held a similar position in Manchuria. From 1952-64 Yusa managed the Japanese Equestrian team as chef d’équipe at the Olympic Games. In Japan, he is called the “God of Riding”.