Uwe Heckmann Passed Away

Dressage

Germany

Uwe Heckmann, Germany's famous hippologist, star auctioneer, and former Oldenburg licensing committee member, has passed away at the age of 73.

Heckmann was auctioneer and auction manager at the Oldenburg Horse Center Vechta for 40 years. During his tenure, the man with the rosewood hammer set many records, paving the way for the Oldenburg horse's current success.

Shaping the Oldenburg Society

Uwe Heckmann was born in Verden in 1950 and was horse crazy from an early age. His mentor was Hans-Joachim Köhler. In 1979 Heckmann moved from Verden to Vechta and since then he has delighted the Oldenburg audience with his knowledge, his love for art and classical music, and the unique way in which he manages to captivate people.

On October 6, 1979, Heckmann appeared as auctioneer for the first time at the 11th Elite Auction. The auction exceeded all expectations and not only set previous price records, but exceeded them by far. At the same time, the new auction site in Vechta was inaugurated. The hall, which was completed at the last minute, was opened with a celebratory gala show in front of a sold-out house.

With this first Oldenburg Elite Auction, his career as an auctioneer took off. Top horses around the world, world champions and Olympic horses were discovered by Heckmann and celebrated great success. Hardly anyone else has shaped the Oldenburg scene as much as Uwe Heckmann. Celebrated as a star auctioneer, Heckmann traveled up and down the country with his rose mallet and achieved top prices throughout Europe.

He struck the hammer at the renowned Performance Sales International auctions hosted by Ullrich Kasselmann and Paul Schockemöhle. From 1983 till 2016, Heckmann auctioned 1,796 PSI horses and raised money for the charity initiative "Riding against Hunger".

An Eye for Horses

His knowledge and feeling for horses was also in great demand outside of the auctions - so it is not surprising that Heckmann has been active in the licensing committees of the Association of Breeders of Oldenburg Horses (OL) and the Oldenburg-International (OS) Jumping Horse Breeding Association for years and as a trainer, has significantly trained and promoted countless riders, breeders and experts in the horse industry.

His declining health no longer allowed him to take an active part in equestrian events in recent years. In 2019 he received the Gustav Rau medal and in 2022 he received the P.S.I. Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Oldenburg Association and its breeders owe Uwe Heckmann a great debt of gratitude and will honour his memory.