German riding master Paul Stecken is celebrating his 100th birthday on 29 June 2016. Stecken became a legendary trainer, coaching Dr. Reiner Klimke and Ingrid Klimke, as well as Wolfgang Marlie, Siegfried Peilicke, Ton de Ridder, and Horst Karsten amongst others.
Stecken began his riding career as chief of the rider's inspection in the German army cavalry in Paderborn. He was trained by Edwin Count of Rothkirch und Trach, Count von Nagel and Rolf Lippert.
In 1950 he succeeded his father as director of the Westfalian Riding and Driving School, from which he retired in 1985. He trained over 12,000 students of which 2000 graduated as professional riding instructor.
In 2006 Stecken received the golden plaque of the North Rhine Westfalian Chamber of Agriculture. He is also an honorary member of the Xenophon club.
"After the death of my father, Mr Stecken became an important mentor to me," said Ingrid Klimke on the 100th birthday of her coach. "His unlimited knowledge, his unflappability in the conscientious training of horses and his expertise to see the potential in horses have influenced me significantly the last few years. I hope to hear from him a long time that "correct riding is enough"."
Photo © Silke Rottermann
Related Links
Eurodressage Photo Database: Paul Stecken
Ingrid Klimke: Where Riding Becomes Art
Albert Stecken Passed Away
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The 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki: Gold in the Middle of the Woods
Remembering Colonel Gustaf Nyblaeus
Angelika Fromming: Half a Century of Dressage