in memoriam

Fritz Thiedemann 1996

Fritz Thiedemann

Phto by Werner Ernst
The year 2000 has just started and again the equestrian sports have to morn about the death of one of its most famous representatives. At the age of 81 Fritz Thiedemann passed away on January 8, 2000. He and his horse Meteor, both born in the most northern part of Germany in Schleswig-Holstein, became already a legend during their life-times. The outstanding combination has helped the German (equestrian) sports to new reputation and respect after WW II all over the world. Till today, Fritz Thiedemann is the only rider, who has ever won two medals in one Olympic Games in two different disciplines: 1952 he achieved the team bronze medal in dressage and the individual bronze medal in show jumping at the Helsinki Olympics on Chronist and Meteor respectively. In the '56 and '60 Olympics he won both times the team gold medal in show jumping aboard Meteor. bp

 

Reiner Klimke

Just at the age of 63 Reiner Klimke passed away in the night from August 16 to 17, 1999, due to a heart attack, he had suffered ten days ago. With six Olympic dressage gold medals he was the most successful rider in Olympic Games of all times. But not only this, he was also outstanding successful as trainer, official (for example as member of the FEI Standing Dressage Committee), book and video author.
ReinerKlimke.JPG (8142 Byte)  
His death tears a gap, which will not be filled. As noone else he has been able with his dressage demonstrations and TV-comments to open dressage riding for a wider public.