very beginning .....
at age nine I was determined to become a
jockey. I won my first race against ”Grind”
the horse that the year before won the Union
Race, in Germany, the equivalent to the U.S.
Preakness race..I received great comments in
the newspaper giving me high hopes at
becoming a great jockey.However, my dream
of becoming a great jockey came to a quick
end after growing suddenly and of course also
gaining weight, a sin for that profession.
Hans-Günter Winkler, Germanys foremost Olympian, I became the
first apprentice at the German Riding School in Warendorf.
important Riding School in Germany as it not only
trains, but there it tests all Bereiters and Trainers. At
this time it was under the direction of General
Niemack who was also the president of the German
Judges Association. I was very fortunate to be
trained by some of the very best in classical
horsemanship.
from the “ great Master” Heinrich Boldt, father of Harry Boldt
multiple European-World- and Olympic champion , and author of the
book “ The Dressage Horse” which contains the elemental theories
of German classical Dressage.I didn’t know it at the time, but I
realized soon that his instruction was the beginning of my
fascination with dressage. I was most fortunate to work with such a
great man.
Brinkmann who was one of the most renowned
jumping riders of the German cavalry and German
National Team. I also benefited to a great extent
from instructions by Albert Brandl and Hans Biss.
concentration remained on Dressage. I received my Bereiter FN
License from the German Agriculture Ministry and the German F.N.
at the German Riding School in Warendorf. The Deutsche Reitliche
Vereinigung, or German F.N. is the national Equestrian Federation
and is responsible and governs all disciplines of equestrian sports,
breeding, and competitions. During my years in Warendorf, I
received numerous job offers from several parts of Europe and
abroad. However to advance and solidify my education I worked for
three more years under the supervision and instruction of
government recognized Instructors in Berlin and Leverkusen, to
further enhancing my equestrian knowledge.I attribute my later
success to the direction and inspiration of my many gifted teachers.
I became one of the youngest Bereiter/Trainer in charge of a
Government regulated Riding School in Southern Germany. Due to
the success I had there with my students I received an invitation by
General Niemack the director of the German Riding School in
Warendorf to participate in a seminar reserved for Riding
Instructors FN in Warendorf. I was not only the youngest
participate but also the only Bereiter. It was a great honor and
helped me in getting more confidence for future responsibilities.
After training horses and riders for several years in various parts in
Germany I accepted a position in Vienna, Austria.
Eventing. I established a good friendship with Johann Irbinger the
chief rider of the Spanish Riding School. He got me interested in the
airs above the ground and I learned a great deal from him. I never
expected that this knowledge would be of benefit to me since those
are not exercises requested at any dressage test. Little did I know
then that it would help me enormously later in my life.
I competed regularly at combined training and dressage shows. I
remember one anecdote, I competed at a Dressage Show and
looking at the starting list I thought that I should win the test.
Nevertheless, to my disappointment a young woman won and I
placed second. Years later that young woman become world
champion and gold medal winner at Olympic games, it turned out to
be Christine Stueckelberger.
countries was awakened and I
decided to accept a position in
Mexico City.
shows including Grand Prix. I also competed successfully at
combined training shows against riders that rode at Pan American
and Olympic Games for Mexico.
when I was told that there is a position open to train
riders and horses for the Royal Lipizzaner Stallion
Show. I accepted the challenge with very, very little
languages skills and suddenly I was in charge of many
riders and horses. Somehow, I managed and
unexpectedly I could utilize my knowledge of how to
train "airs above the ground" thanks to my friend Chief
rider J. Irbinger from the Spanish Riding School. We
also had a very successful trip to Mexico where we
performed for two weeks at the Arena Mexico in
Mexico City and then also performed in Guadalajara. I
had some unusual experiences making several
presentations with a Stallion at some well known TV
News and sport shows taking the horse in a freight
elevator up to the studios.
charge of training riders and horses, choreographing the numbers,
choice of music for the show and later for a second unit of four
riders including myself. Another unique experience has been to
participate in a Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and giving a 4 minutes
performance on the street in front of Macy's being on National TV
Toronto Canada, where we performed in front of twenty thousand
people. In contrast to the big arena show we performed to taped
music and our presentation lasted about 45 minutes consisting of a
single number, a Pas de Deux, a Pas de Trois, a Pas de Quatre, and
"airs above the ground". After five years , I decided instead of
continuing back to Germany going back to Mexico. There I trained
several of my former and some new students to national
championships of all levels. Some of my students later went on to
compete at Pan American Games and Olympic Games.
After a break and adventures in the business world, I am back now
doing what I love most, training horses and riders.