Darren Chiacchia

Darren Chiacchia (born September 18, 1964 in Buffalo, New York) is an American equestrian. He won a bronze medal in team eventing at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, together with Kimberly Severson, John Williams, Amy Tryon and Julie Richards. He also competed in individual eventing, placing 12th.[1]

Darren Chiacchia
Personal information
Born (1964-09-18) September 18, 1964
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Medal record
Equestrian
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2004 Athens Team eventing

Chiacchia gained national attention in 2008 when he was thrown from a horse resulting in him being in a coma, the incident sparked debate about the safety of being an equestrian.[2] He made headlines again in 2010 when a former sex partner whom he dated from February to June in 2009, filed charges and Chiacchia was arrested on felony charges for allegedly exposing the man to the HIV virus, the charges were dismissed as intercourse was defined as only being able to occur between a man and a woman.[3][4] The case renewed discussion about laws that may discourage people for getting tested for the virus, which can lie dormant for many years.

The felony charge against Chiacchia was reinstated in 2013 after the Florida 5th District Court of Appeal reversed the lower court's decision.[5]

The felony HIV-related charge was dropped against Chiacchia in February 2017. The prosecution in Marion County entered a nolle prosequi.[6]

Chiacchia owns and operates Independence Farm, full-service breeding, training, and sales barn located in Western New York. He volunteers his expertise as the Chair of the USEA's Events Rating Task Force.

Major Accomplishments
  • 2004 U.S. Olympic team member
  • 2003 Pan American Games individual gold medal champion (Windfall II)
  • 2002 World Equestrian Games U.S. team member
  • 2000 U.S. Olympic equestrian team traveling alternate
  • 2007 Pan American Games U.S. Equestrian representative

Horses

Windfall 2

(1992, Trakehner Stallion; owned by Tim Holekamp) Chiacchia and Windfall 2 had their best season ever in 2003 when they won the Individual Gold medal in the Pan American Eventing title at Fair Hill.

Better I Do It

(14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Billion out of Concitia; Owned by Adrienne Iorio) Represented the U.S. at the 1995 Open European Championships in Italy with Fascination Street after a third place-finish in the CCI*** at Rolex Kentucky.

References
  1. "Profile: Darren Chiacchia". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
  2. Equestrian Charged With H.I.V.-Related Offense: In Ocala, the heart of Florida’s horse country, the equestrian rider Darren Chiacchia is a boldface name.
  3. Equestrian Charged With H.I.V.-Related Offense: In Ocala, the heart of Florida’s horse country, the equestrian rider Darren Chiacchia is a boldface name.
  4. Felony charge against noted equestrian is dropped
  5. Appellate Court Reinstates Criminal Case Against Eventer Darren Chiacchia
  6. Florida Drops Darren Chiacchia Felony Case
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