Hans Günter Winkler was born on 24th July 1926 in Wuppertal-Barmen as the son of a riding instructor. After military service, he completed a commercial apprenticeship in a textile wholesale company in Frankfurt/Main. In 1950 Oberlandstallmeister Dr. Rau brought "HGW" to Warendorf to the German Olympic Committee. He originally planned a three-month period there for training purposes but in fact he established himself there for life. Hans Günter Winkler is the world's most successful show jumping rider ever at the Olympic Games.
Before retiring from active show jumping at Aachen in 1986, he had been awarded five Olympic gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal, had been twice World Champion, once European Champion and five times German Champion. He rode for Germany on as many as 107 occasions – more than any other rider before or since. He has also received numerous other distinctions.
In 1992 Hans Günter Winkler founded "HGW Marketing", his sport marketing company which is specialised in the acquisition of sponsors for show jumping sport and the organisation of national and international horse shows.
Together with his wife Debby, he lives at the "Birkenhof" in Warendorf. In addition to riding, his hobbies include tennis, cycling and hunting.